Boom Pirates

Boom Pirates: Slot Overview 

Foxium has built a reputation for imaginative slot design, but Boom Pirates marks a significant milestone for the studio—a title that pushes boundaries both mechanically and visually. Developed as part of Microgaming’s partner program, the slot introduces the innovative Wonderways™ system, allowing the grid to expand dynamically from a standard 5×4, 1,024-ways layout to a colossal 9×6 grid with up to 10,077,696 ways to win. It’s an ambitious design move that instantly separates Boom Pirates from typical Megaways-inspired titles and signals Foxium’s leap into more daring territory. 

Set within a vibrant tropical pirate island, the game combines lighthearted, adventurous theming with surprisingly robust gameplay depth. With an RTP of 96.19%, medium/high volatility, and bets ranging from €0.20 to €50, Boom Pirates aims to appeal to players who enjoy unpredictable action, cinematic features, and high-energy, feature-rich mechanics. Though the maximum win is capped at 3,800x, the enormous number of possible winning combinations and dynamic reel expansion give the slot a sense of scale rarely seen. 

After a long development delay, Boom Pirates arrived with expectations—and it delivers an experience that is equal parts charming, chaotic, and technically impressive.

Design and Graphics 

Foxium has always placed strong emphasis on visual identity, but Boom Pirates may be one of their most detailed productions yet. The setting captures the upbeat fantasy of pirate folklore: swaying palm trees, moonlit seas, glowing torches, and the imposing silhouette of a pirate ship anchored just offshore. The scene evolves during gameplay, with explosions, cannonballs, and character animations adding life to every spin.The base reel set resembles wooden planks nailed together on an old pirate deck, populated with crisp, thematic symbols. Low-value symbols include classic 10 to A royals stylized to look hand-painted on driftwood. High-paying symbols feature parrots, barrels of gunpowder, swords, and tattooed pirate characters like Ben and Captain Mary—each animated with cartoonish charm. 

The real showstopper, however, is the Wonderways expansion effect. When the reels enlarge during features, the grid expands dramatically, revealing additional rows and columns bordered by stone skulls and glowing runes. The transitions are smooth and cinematic, reinforcing the thrill of the expanding ways-to-win mechanics. Foxium’s polish is evident in every line, particle effect, and animation burst. 

Overall, Boom Pirates stands out visually as one of the most vibrant pirate-themed games available, blending humor with high production value.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, Boom Pirates operates on a 5-reel, 4-row, 1024-ways system, but the dynamic Wonderways mechanic allows the grid to expand up to 9 reels and 6 rows, unlocking over 10 million possible winning combinations. This expansion is tied directly to in-game features, adding a sense of anticipation and unpredictability that enhances every spin. 

Before spinning, players may choose to enable the Foxify™ option. Activating Foxify increases the bet size by 50% and significantly improves the chances of triggering free spins or Wonderways expansion events. It does not alter symbol values or RTP but shifts the volatility upward for players seeking a more feature-heavy experience. 

Two key base-game modifiers further enrich the gameplay: 

Boom Pirates Feature 

Triggered randomly, this feature unleashes a barrage of cannonballs onto the reels. As cannon blasts carve open new tiles, additional reels and rows activate, expanding the grid toward its maximum size. This gives players a chance to experience expanded ways-to-win even outside the free spins mode, injecting sudden bursts of excitement. 

Mary’s Swashbuckling Attack 

Another random feature, Mary swings onto the screen via rope, converting a non-winning spin into a guaranteed five-of-a-kind hit. This moment is always satisfying, especially on expanded reels where five-symbol combinations carry more weight. 

Both modifiers contribute to the sense that anything can happen on any spin—an essential quality in medium/high-volatility slots.

Sound and Music 

The audio design of Boom Pirates is lively, comical, and thematically rich. The soundtrack blends rollicking pirate-style melodies with energetic percussion, setting the tone for adventurous gameplay. Cannon blasts, pirate cheers, and Mary’s gleeful war cries punctuate feature triggers, giving them greater impact. 

Voice clips add personality throughout the experience. When the Boom Pirates feature activates, a pirate shouting “booooooom pirates!” enhances the excitement and serves as an audio cue for reel expansion. Subtle ambient effects—waves rolling, birds cawing, wood creaking—create a cohesive backdrop that immerses players in the swashbuckling setting. 

Foxium’s layered sound design ensures gameplay feels dynamic, polished, and tonally consistent with the game’s humorous, action-packed style.

Bonus Features 

Free SpinsThe main bonus round is triggered by landing the letters Y, O, H, O, H, O (spelling YO-HO-HO) on reels 1, 3, and 5 simultaneously. This awards 10 free spins, with the potential to buy the feature outright for 100x the bet for those who prefer direct access. 

During free spins, the Wonderways system becomes much more active. Additional tiles can be unlocked via cannon fire throughout the round, significantly expanding the grid and amplifying win potential. The expanded tiles stay active until the end of the feature, giving the entire bonus round cumulative growth. 

As the grid expands, the number of win combinations increases dramatically, helping transform moderate wins into more powerful ones. Although the game removes wild symbols entirely—which may surprise some players—the combined power of reel expansion and stacked symbol formations compensates for this omission. 

Foxify™ 

As mentioned earlier, this toggle boosts chances of triggering free spins or modifiers but at the cost of a higher base bet. Players who enjoy higher volatility gameplay will find Foxify makes the experience noticeably more dynamic. 

Buy FeatureFor 100x the stake, players can purchase instant entry into the free spins round. This is particularly useful for those who want to experience the expanded Wonderways mechanic more frequently.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Boom Pirates accommodates a wide range of bankrolls, with betting options starting at €0.20 and rising to €50 per spin. The 96.19% RTP sits in the industry average range, and the medium/high volatility ensures a blend of extended dry spells and potent bursts of action. 

Though the game’s grid can expand into the millions of win ways, the maximum win is capped at 3,800x, which may feel conservative for a slot with such massive structural potential. However, the game’s mathematics place greater emphasis on spectacle and unpredictability than on maximum theoretical payout. 

Highest wins generally stem from: 

Expanded Wonderways grids 

Mary’s Swashbuckling Attack landing on larger reel sets 

High-symbol clusters connecting across extended rows and reels 

While the paytable is modest compared to high-volatility behemoths, the thrill of expanding grids and surprise modifiers balances the experience.

Conclusion 

Boom Pirates is an inventive, energetic, and technically impressive slot that showcases Foxium’s ability to create unique mechanics and immersive worlds. The Wonderways feature distinguishes the game immediately, offering a dramatic level of expansion that few slots attempt. Paired with lively animations, humorous personality, and well-timed modifiers, the game becomes a spirited swashbuckling adventure from start to finish. 

While some players may find the 3,800x cap limiting, the overall experience is highly engaging thanks to its blend of dynamic reel growth, cinematic presentation, and entertaining randomness. The absence of wild symbols and fixed reel placement for scatters may frustrate a few players, but these quirks do little to diminish the fun factor. 

In the end, Boom Pirates is a bold experiment that succeeds more often than not—delivering a colorful, high-energy slot packed with charm, humor, and explosive surprises. It’s a confident and memorable addition to Foxium’s portfolio, especially for players who enjoy feature-driven gameplay and unique reel mechanics.