LolliPop (AvatarUX) Slot Review

LolliPop: Slot Overview 

Released on April 7, 2022, LolliPop is the tenth slot from AvatarUX and another addition to the highly popular PopWins series. By this point, players were well familiar with the PopWins mechanic, which expands reels and ways to win whenever successful combinations appear. However, LolliPop wasn’t just a repeat of the same formula—it introduced new twists such as the StickyPop feature and a unique blend of free spins and hold & win mechanics. 

Set in a whimsical, candy-coated world, LolliPop embraces a bright and colorful theme that is much more mainstream than the edgy or experimental styles seen in other AvatarUX slots. The grid starts at 5×3 with 486 ways to win, and through expansions, it can grow to 33,614 paylines. The RTP is set at 95.82%, with high volatility and a maximum payout of 13,000x the bet. Bets range from €0.20 to €100 per spin, appealing to casual and serious players alike. 

Though its max win is slightly lower than some other PopWins titles, LolliPop makes up for it with its engaging mechanics, gamble features, and fun bonus potential.

Design and Graphics 

The candy theme of LolliPop is a visual sugar rush. The reels sit against a vivid pink backdrop, with a giant lollipop looming behind the grid, while symbols are designed to resemble sweets and baked treats.Symbols: 

Low pays: Candies in glowing colors (worth 0.4–0.6x the bet for five). 

High pays: Gummy bears, cakes, muffins, hearts, stars, and candy canes (worth 1–4x the bet for five). 

Scatter: The only special symbol in the base game, triggering free spins. 

No wilds: Interestingly, LolliPop does not include wild symbols, making scatters the key to unlocking excitement. 

The overall aesthetic is playful and immersive, borrowing inspiration from candy-themed games like Candy Crush while retaining AvatarUX’s signature PopWins clarity. Animations are smooth, with reels lighting up as they expand, while winning clusters sparkle with satisfying detail.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Like other PopWins titles, LolliPop uses expanding reels to increase paylines during play. However, it innovates with a couple of unique twists. 

StickyPop 

When three or more matching symbols land on consecutive reels, the StickyPop feature activates: 

Winning symbols stick in place, and all other reels respin. 

If new matching symbols appear, they also stick, and reels respin again. 

This continues until no further matches occur. 

Each win also expands the reel by +1, up to 5 rows high in the base game. 

StickyPop creates exciting chain reactions that can significantly boost payouts, especially since symbols are held rather than replaced. 

Base Game Multiplier 

Whenever a reel reaches its full height, an x2 multiplier is awarded. Each additional reel reaching full height increases the multiplier by +1. When respins finish, the multiplier is applied to the total win. This adds tension and reward to every base spin, as expanded reels can suddenly catapult payouts upward.

Sound and Music 

The audio design of LolliPop mirrors its candy theme: light, upbeat, and energetic. 

Base game: Playful jingles with cheerful tones that match the pastel visuals. 

Respins & StickyPop: Sounds intensify with sparkling effects, heightening excitement as more symbols stick. 

Free spins: Music becomes more dramatic and energetic, reinforcing the sense of high stakes and potential big wins. 

While it may not be groundbreaking, the soundscape fits the game perfectly, giving players a fun and lively experience.

Bonus Features 

LolliPop combines familiar PopWins features with new innovations, offering a variety of bonuses.Free Spins Gamble 

Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters triggers free spins. Before they begin, players can gamble their starting setup on a gamble wheel: 

Initial free spins grid starts at 5×3. 

First successful gamble boosts it to 5×4. 

A second successful gamble expands it further to 5×5. 

However, losing any gamble forfeits the bonus entirely. 

This high-risk, high-reward system ensures that players seeking maximum thrills have the option to push their luck. 

Free Spins Mode 

Once triggered, free spins introduce special symbols and upgrades: 

Only scatter rewards and hearts appear on reels. 

Scatter rewards: Land with a cash prize. 

Hearts: Add 1–2 extra free spins and lock in place. 

Reel expansion: Scatters increase reel height by +1, up to 7 rows high. 

Paylines: Can reach up to 33,614 ways to win. 

Expanded reels do not reset between free spins, giving momentum to the bonus round. 

Upgrade System 

Scatter symbols can upgrade their own values: 

Collecting certain numbers of scatters transforms multipliers from x1 to x2, x10, or even x100. 

Fully extended reels also double scatter values, adding exponential growth to payouts. 

This system provides strong progression and keeps free spins engaging from start to finish. 

Buy Bonus 

Players can skip the wait by buying their way into free spins:100x the bet: Equivalent to triggering 3 scatters naturally. 

300x the bet: Starts free spins immediately on a 5×5 grid, offering much greater potential. 

This feature allows impatient players to dive straight into the most lucrative parts of the game.

Betting Options and Payouts 

LolliPop caters to a broad range of players with flexible bet limits: 

Minimum Bet: €0.20 

Maximum Bet: €100 

RTP & Volatility 

RTP: 95.82% (slightly below average for the PopWins series). 

Volatility: High, meaning fewer but larger wins. 

Payouts 

Low candies: 0.4–0.6x for five of a kind. 

High symbols (cakes, gummy bears, stars, etc.): 1–4x for five of a kind. 

Scatter multipliers: Can climb to 200x per symbol with upgrades. 

The maximum win is capped at 13,000x the stake. While this is lower than the 20,000x often seen in AvatarUX’s other titles, it’s still a sizable jackpot for a high-volatility slot.

Conclusion 

LolliPop is a vibrant and inventive entry in AvatarUX’s PopWins portfolio. Its sugary theme might initially seem like business as usual for the studio, but the inclusion of the StickyPop mechanic, combined with reel multipliers and upgradeable scatter values, makes it stand out from its predecessors. 

On the plus side: 

The candy visuals and cheerful music provide lighthearted fun. 

The StickyPop feature ensures dynamic base game play. 

Free spins are packed with variety, from upgrade systems to persistent expanded reels. 

Multipliers and gamble options add serious risk/reward excitement. 

On the downside: 

The RTP of 95.82% is slightly lower than average. 

The max win of 13,000x is a step down compared to other PopWins titles. 

The gamble wheel can frustrate players, as a failed spin wipes out the bonus completely. 

Overall, though, LolliPop strikes a balance between familiar PopWins chaos and fresh innovations. For players who enjoy high-volatility slots with lots of features and potential for chain-reaction wins, this candy-filled adventure is well worth a spin.