Animal Carnival (Fantasma Games) Slot Review

Animal Carnival: Slot Overview

Animal Carnival is a circus-themed video slot developed by Fantasma Games and released on August 31, 2022. The game transports players to a whimsical animal-run circus set on a lush green field with trees and a circus wagon in the upper left corner. It features 5 reels and 6 rows, but only the bottom 3 rows are active for forming wins across 10 fixed paylines. Notably, the slot pays both ways, allowing winning combinations to start from either the leftmost or rightmost reel. The top 3 rows are concealed behind a red curtain, revealing silhouettes of special symbols like wilds that drop down during avalanches triggered by wins. Core mechanics include avalanches, wild multipliers, and bonus symbols, creating a dynamic gameplay experience suited for players who enjoy medium-volatility slots with cascading reels and both-way pays. This title targets slot enthusiasts seeking engaging base game features, free spins, and bonus buy options, with broad compatibility across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

Design and Graphics

The visual design of Animal Carnival evokes a playful circus atmosphere without human performers, focusing instead on anthropomorphic animals in colorful attire. The background depicts a serene green field under a clear sky, accented by lush trees and a stationary circus wagon positioned in the upper left, adding thematic cohesion without overwhelming the reels. The 5×6 reel grid dominates the screen, with the bottom 3 rows fully visible and active, while the top 3 rows are shrouded by a semi-transparent red curtain. Silhouettes of special symbols peek through the fabric, enhancing anticipation as they potentially drop during gameplay.

Animal Carnival slot – base game

Symbols are crisply illustrated with vibrant colors and circus motifs. Low-paying symbols consist of standard card royals—10, J, Q, K, and A—rendered in pastel tones matching the festive theme. Higher-paying icons feature a bear in a blue hat (3.5x for 5-of-a-kind), a monkey in a purple hat (3x), a warthog (2.8x), a crocodile (2.6x), and a crowned yellow feline (possibly a lion or cat, 2.5x). The Wild Symbol, a star emblazoned with a “W,” stands out with golden flair and pays up to 5x the bet independently. The Sparkle Wild variant glows with a golden aura, while the Cannon Symbol resembles festive artillery, and the Scatter mimics a purple-and-yellow circus tent.

Animations are smooth and thematic: winning symbols explode in bursts of confetti-like particles before avalanching away, new symbols cascade from above (potentially including curtain drops), and special effects like sparkling transformations accompany Sparkle Wilds. The overall aesthetic is polished and cartoonish, with a lighthearted soundtrack of circus tunes and animal sounds that ramps up during wins. Transitions between avalanches are fluid, maintaining pace without excessive flair, though animations are functional rather than groundbreaking compared to more elaborate Fantasma titles. The interface is intuitive, with clear meters for bets, wins, and the wild collection trail on the left, ensuring accessibility on all devices.

Gameplay Mechanics

Animal Carnival employs a 5-reel, 6-row grid with 10 fixed paylines confined to the bottom 3 rows. Wins form by landing 3 or more matching symbols on a payline, with combinations reading both left-to-right (starting on reel 1) and right-to-left (starting on reel 5), doubling potential opportunities. The hit frequency stands at 18.22%, providing moderate action in the base game.

Central to gameplay is the Avalanches mechanic: after any win, winning symbols vanish, and new ones—including those from the hidden top rows—drop into place. Symbols from row 4 behind the curtain fall to row 3 if space allows; otherwise, random symbols fill gaps. Avalanches persist as long as new wins occur. The Wild Symbol substitutes for all regular pay symbols (low and high) and pays 0.5x for 3, up to 5x for 5. Wilds collect on a left-side meter: every 3 collected boost the Win Multiplier by +1 (starting at 1x per spin). At avalanche end, the total win applies the multiplier before resetting to 1x.

The Sparkle Wild Symbol, visible via curtain silhouettes, transforms 1-4 adjacent regular symbols into wilds upon landing, potentially across all rows. The Cannon Symbol activates post-avalanche, removing itself and 3-6 other symbols to trigger a Cannon Respin, extending the cascade. Scatters can appear but primarily trigger bonuses. Below is a payout table for key symbols (for 5-of-a-kind wins):

Base game flow revolves around chaining avalanches, building multipliers, and unveiling hidden symbols, fostering prolonged sessions with escalating potential.

Bonus Features

Animal Carnival’s features integrate seamlessly into the avalanche system, enhancing both base and bonus play. The Hidden Rows mechanic previews Wilds, Sparkle Wilds, or Cannons on rows 4-6, dropping them during avalanches for added volatility.

Animal Carnival slot – free spins

The Win Multiplier accumulates via wild collections (3 wilds = +1x), applying to total avalanche wins before reset. In base play, it resets per sequence; special modes alter this.

The Cannon Symbol ends avalanches by destroying 3-6 symbols (plus itself), initiating Cannon Respins for continued cascades.

Landing 3 Scatter Symbols (circus tents) anywhere triggers 10 Free Spins. Here, wins aggregate on a meter, and the multiplier persists across spins without resetting, potentially reaching high levels. Each additional scatter grants +1 spin. The feature averages 67x the bet in payouts and triggers every 202 spins on average.

A Bonus Buy option allows instant access to 10 free spins for 70x the bet, catering to players seeking direct bonus action.

These elements—avalanches with drops, sparkling expansions, cannon blasts, and persistent multipliers—create layered excitement, with free spins offering the highest potential through non-resetting progression.

Betting Options and Payouts

Bets range from €0.2 to €200 per spin, accommodating casual and high-roller playstyles. The RTP is 95.64%, below industry average, while medium volatility balances frequent smaller wins (18.22% hit rate) with bonus pursuits (1 in 202 spins). The max win caps at 1,642x the stake, with no specified probability provided.

Animal Carnival slot – bonus buy

Payouts favor chained avalanches and multipliers, as single-line wins are modest (up to 5x via wilds). Free spins drive larger returns via persistent multipliers, averaging 67x. The both-ways paylines and hidden row drops increase win density, though the RTP tempers long-term expectations. No progressive jackpots or adjustable paylines exist, keeping focus on feature-driven volatility.

Conclusion

Animal Carnival excels in innovative base game mechanics like both-way pays, avalanches with hidden row reveals, and a wild-fueled multiplier system, delivering engaging cascades and surprise elements via Sparkle Wilds and Cannons. The circus theme, while quirky with its animal cast, supports smooth animations and mobile optimization. Free spins with non-resetting multipliers provide solid payout potential, augmented by bonus buy accessibility.

Drawbacks include a subpar RTP 95.64% and modest 1,642x max win, limiting appeal for high-stakes grinders, alongside simpler graphics lacking the polish of peer titles. Medium volatility suits balanced sessions, but lower RTP may deter value-focused players. Overall, it offers a fun, feature-rich experience for avalanche enthusiasts, though tempered by conservative math. Players can test the slot risk-free using the built-in demo available on this page. A solid but unremarkable addition to Fantasma’s portfolio, best for casual spins chasing multiplier climbs.