Happy Panda from NetEnt leads us into a bamboo forest in search of the world’s cutest and clumsiest bear. Hiding among the bamboo stalks, we can find an embarrassment of pandas (yes, that is the collective term for pandas) lazily munching on bamboo. Should Lady Luck be with you, they may even bless you with prosperity.
NetEnt has a penchant for crafting beautiful backdrops for its slots, and Happy Panda does not disappoint. The tranquility of the bamboo forest background is almost infectious, and if it weren’t for the 5×3 grid promising substantial payouts, we would have reached a state of zen.
| Happy Panda Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | NetEnt |
| Payline Number | 20 |
| RTP | 96.59% |
| Min Bet | $0.20 |
| Max Bet | $100 |
| Wild Symbol | Yes |
| Scatter Symbol | Yes |
| Bonus Features | Free spins, Falling Wild Respins, Gift of Double Wild, Giant Panda Jackpot |
| Jackpot | 80,000x bet |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of Happy Panda Slot
NetEnt has been a leader in the online gambling community for more than two decades, consistently pushing design boundaries and expectations. This Asian-themed 5×3 slot upholds the tradition of creating a game that looks as good as it plays. The backdrop to Happy Panda is simply bewitching, with its soothing color scheme and calm setting.
As a symbol of luck and prosperity, the lackadaisical panda is the perfect animal to represent a slot that boasts a jackpot of up to 80,000 times your bet. The slot takes place in a peaceful bamboo forest, colored in serene green and blue tones and divided by a winding azure river.
The bamboo-framed reels are brightly colored to set them apart from the subdued background and to stop you from slipping into a meditative state. The reels are populated by eleven symbols with an Asian twist. The symbols are:
- Low worth= A, K, Q, J
- High worth = Koi fish, bird, duck, bamboo
- Wild = Panda
- Scatter = Pink lotus flower
- Bonus = Golden Panda Paw Print Coin
Happy Panda caters to a wide range of slot fans and gambling styles with its betting range of $0.20–$100 and a substantial progressive jackpot. The bonus features discussed below add even more opportunities for players to walk away with sizable winnings.
Something worth noting: the RTP is variable and depends on the jackpot amount. It can reach a high of 96.64%, but when you exclude the jackpot, the base-game RTP is well below average at 92.60%.
Bonus Features of Happy Panda Slot
Happy Panda includes three enticing bonus features that offer players the chance to win considerable sums.
The first feature is one that slot fans will recognize: free spins. This feature can be triggered in both the base game and the Falling Wild Respin feature. Free spins are initiated when 3, 4, or 5 pink lotus flowers appear on the reels. The number of lotuses that appear dictates how many free spins you will have, up to a maximum of 12.
The second feature actually has two variations. The Falling Wild Respins feature triggers when one or more Panda Wild symbols land anywhere on the reels. All reels, other than the one occupied by the wild symbol, enter a respin mode. While the other reels are spinning, the wild symbol gradually makes its way down the reel at a pace of one turn per respin. The feature continues until the wild can no longer be seen on the reel.
The second element of the Falling Wild Respin is the Gift of Double Wild. If an additional wild falls on top of the existing wild, it will expand to cover the entire reel and grant an extra three respins.
The final bonus feature is the Giant Panda Jackpot. This can only be triggered during the Falling Wild Respin and Gift of Double Wild features. The Giant Panda Jackpot is activated when three or more golden Panda paw-print coins appear on the reels, but the feature won’t start until the respins finish.
The screen changes to a new background, and all symbols on the reels are replaced by golden coins or blank spaces. Each coin that lands carries a prize of 10x–200x the bet. Filling one row with coins wins you the minor jackpot; two full rows get you the major jackpot. If the lucky pandas favor you and you fill all three rows, you will walk away with the Giant Panda Jackpot.
Verdict
Happy Panda is a high-risk, high-reward slot. Some might be put off by the high volatility and average RTP of 96.59%, but for the risk-takers who stick with it, there are substantial rewards.
With a minimum bet of $0.20, you may as well give the slot a few spins and test your luck. You never know, one of the pandas might bless your spins and help you win the Giant Panda Jackpot.