Gonzo's Gold (NetEnt) Slot Review

Gonzo’s Gold: Slot Overview 

Gonzo’s Gold, released by NetEnt on October 14, 2021, marks a surprising pivot in the popular Gonzo franchise. The title abandons some of the core mechanics and charm that made Gonzo’s Quest one of NetEnt’s most beloved and enduring releases since its 2013 debut. Rather than deliver another iteration of avalanche wins and multipliers, Gonzo’s Gold introduces a cluster pays mechanic without the cascading feature, setting it apart from its predecessors in structure, if not always in spirit. 

This Aztec-themed slot is built on a 5×5 grid, where wins are achieved through clusters rather than paylines. The game leans heavily into its bonus round with a symbol expansion feature reminiscent of Book of Dead slots, and it offers a medium volatility experience with a maximum win of 5,000x your stake. With stakes ranging from €0.10 to €200, the game accommodates a wide spectrum of players, from casual adventurers to high-stakes explorers.

Design and Graphics 

Visually, Gonzo’s Gold is solid but subdued compared to earlier entries in the series. The grid is nestled within a misty, empty stone temple complex, rendered in sandy browns and golden hues. The setting evokes mystery, but the overall look can feel sparse—almost barren—particularly when compared to the dynamic and vibrant backdrops of Gonzo’s Quest and Gonzo’s Quest Megaways.Gonzo himself appears on the reels as the highest-paying symbol, but he’s otherwise absent from the experience. Long-time fans may miss his animated antics at the side of the reels, which added so much personality to earlier games. Here, Gonzo becomes more of a relic—a symbol of value rather than a character—resulting in a game that feels less lively and personable. 

The symbol set includes Aztec masks and temple motifs for high pays, along with card suits from A to 10 representing low-paying symbols. The visual clarity is excellent, but the thematic execution lacks the flair and dynamism expected of a Gonzo title.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Gonzo’s Gold trades the familiar winline or Megaways system for cluster pays, and eschews avalanche mechanics entirely. Clusters of at least 3 high-value or 4 low-value symbols form a win when they land adjacent to each other vertically or horizontally. This cluster-based system rewards tight groupings, and the top prize comes from landing 25 matching premium symbols, paying out a maximum of 5,000x your stake. 

It’s an unusual departure from the cascading, ever-evolving win screens fans expect, and without wild symbols or reactive wins, the base game can feel static. Spins often play out with minimal interaction or visual feedback—unless the bonus round is triggered. 

The gameplay has a clear “wait for the bonus” structure, which can lead to long stretches of low activity punctuated by high-impact moments in the bonus round. That said, the bonus round does come around fairly often, softening the monotony of the base game.

Sound and Music 

While the visual design may lack vibrancy, Gonzo’s Gold makes up some ground with a strong audio presentation. The background music is low-key and atmospheric during the base game—somewhat forgettable, yet appropriate for an ancient temple setting. It’s during the Free Spins round that the game’s audio truly comes alive, with chanting vocals and deep bass that evoke a ritualistic atmosphere. 

Sound effects for spins and cluster wins are well-calibrated and satisfying, and the rising tension during bonus round expansions helps keep players engaged. Overall, while Gonzo himself is silent and the base soundtrack is subtle, the audio still manages to elevate the game, particularly when the bonus kicks in.

Bonus Features 

Free Spins with Expanding Symbols 

The main feature of Gonzo’s Gold is its Free Spins round, triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols (the golden temples), which awards:10 free spins 

A cash prize of 2x, 20x, or 200x the bet depending on the number of scatters 

Before the round begins, players pick one of 9 mystery symbols to reveal a special expanding symbol. During free spins, if 2 or more adjacent symbols of that type appear, they expand to cover their entire row or column, forming a larger cluster. 

Expanded symbols then pay as cluster wins, significantly increasing the likelihood of big payouts. This mechanic introduces strategy and excitement, especially when a high-paying symbol like Gonzo is chosen. 

Re-triggering Free Spins 

The feature can be re-triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols during the bonus game, awarding 10 additional spins and sustaining the expansion potential. 

What makes this feature appealing is the combination of potential and player involvement—the expanding symbol is chosen manually, and the possibility of retriggers adds longevity to the bonus.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Gonzo’s Gold offers a wide betting range from €0.10 to €200 per spin, making it suitable for all types of players. The game’s medium volatility ensures a relatively balanced experience—wins are not as rare as in high-volatility games, but they are also less explosive outside the bonus round. 

Payouts depend on the number and type of symbols clustered: 

Premium symbols (Gonzo and masks): Pay higher values but appear less frequently 

Low symbols (A–10): Appear more frequently but have smaller returns 

Full grids of matching premium symbols can deliver 750x to 5,000x the stake, depending on the symbol. Interestingly, despite its familiar mechanics, Gonzo’s Gold does not include wilds, nor does it use any cascading or tumbling mechanics, which sets it apart from its siblings.

Conclusion 

Gonzo’s Gold is both a bold and conservative entry in the Gonzo franchise. On one hand, NetEnt experiments by moving away from cascading wins and embracing cluster mechanics with expanding symbols, essentially blending Gonzo with the ‘Book of’ format seen in titles like Legacy of Dead. On the other hand, the game feels stripped of much of the charm, character, and visual polish that made the original Gonzo’s Quest a legend. 

The base game lacks activity and the absence of animated Gonzo interactions diminishes personality. However, the bonus round, with its expanding symbol mechanic and high payout ceiling, rescues the experience. The regular appearance of free spins helps maintain interest, and the addition of chanting audio gives the bonus real punch. 

Still, this is not the Gonzo experience players may expect. It’s more subdued, more static, and arguably less Gonzo-like than it should be. There’s entertainment to be had here—especially if you enjoy the Book of Ra-style expansions—but for longtime fans of the intrepid conquistador, Gonzo’s Gold may feel more like a side story than a sequel.