LooneyPop (AvatarUX) Slot Review

LooneyPop: Slot Overview 

AvatarUX continues to push its PopWins series forward with LooneyPop, a February 2023 release that combines the beloved expanding-reels mechanic with a quirky animated sci-fi theme. Unlike many of the studio’s other titles, which lean on fantasy, animals, or mythological concepts, LooneyPop ventures into the world of aliens, scientists, and over-the-top cartoon chaos. The game’s setting is intentionally vague, leaving room for players to interpret what’s happening—whether it’s an alien invasion or a zany experiment gone wrong. 

At its heart, LooneyPop is a 5-reel high-volatility slot with up to 118,098 paylines, an RTP of 96%, and a staggering max win of 50,000x. That figure alone makes it one of AvatarUX’s most ambitious releases to date. It blends the studio’s familiar PopWins engine with new modifiers, courtesy of the Zap Reel, which injects multipliers, symbol splits, and synced reels into the action. Throw in free spins with gambles, bonus buy options, and the proven pay-both-ways system, and LooneyPop promises a rollercoaster ride for fans of inventive online slots.

Design and Graphics 

LooneyPop sets itself apart visually with its cartoon-inspired sci-fi aesthetic. The reels sit against a cosmic backdrop filled with spacecraft, alien characters, and glowing purple nebulae. The overall look is playful rather than menacing, echoing a B-movie or comic strip rather than hardcore science fiction.Symbols reinforce the theme nicely. Low-paying icons are the traditional 10-A royals, but they’ve been given a futuristic glow. Higher-paying symbols include a dynamite bundle, a glamorous lady, a bomb, a gunslinger, a rocket launcher, a scientist, and a green alien. Together, they create a mash-up of tropes that feels deliberately chaotic yet fun. 

The Zap Reel, which sits above the grid as a three-cell bar, adds an extra layer of dynamism to the visuals. When activated, it shows glowing modifiers such as multipliers or expanding symbols, which then cascade into the grid below. The bright animations and quirky designs give LooneyPop a comic-book feel, while the sheer number of visual effects keeps the action exciting.

Gameplay Mechanics 

LooneyPop runs on the PopWins mechanic, meaning each winning symbol is removed and replaced by two new ones, expanding the reel’s height. In the base game, reels can grow up to 6 symbols high, while in free spins, they can reach 9 high, unlocking more paylines. After each sequence ends, the reels reset to their default height of 3 rows. 

Wins pay both ways—from left to right and right to left. At the starting size, there are 486 ways to win, which can rise to 118,098 ways when all reels are fully expanded. Landing combinations requires at least three identical symbols across adjacent reels. 

The payout values range as follows: 

Royals (10-A): 0.2x to 1.5x the bet for five-of-a-kind. 

Premiums (bombs, rocket launchers, etc.): 0.6x to 1.5x the bet. 

Highest-value symbols (scientist and alien): up to 3x the bet. 

While the base values may seem modest, the true power lies in LooneyPop’s modifiers and multipliers, which significantly boost payouts when combined with the massive paylines potential.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of LooneyPop fits perfectly with its animated sci-fi theme. Expect fast-paced, playful background music layered with electronic beats and cartoonish sound effects. Wins are punctuated with satisfying “pop” noises as symbols burst and expand, keeping in line with the PopWins brand identity. 

Special features like the Zap Reel bring additional audio cues—multipliers land with a dramatic buzz, while synced reels come with synchronised zaps. The sound design leans into comic-style exaggeration, which matches the chaotic blend of visuals. Together, they create an engaging atmosphere that ensures players are never bored, even during longer play sessions.

Bonus Features 

LooneyPop is stacked with innovative bonus elements, most notably the Zap Reel, Free Spins, and Bonus Buy options.Zap Reel 

The Zap Reel sits above the main grid, showing three feature rewards that can activate on any spin. These include: 

Multiplier: x2, x3, x5, or x10 multipliers. If more than one lands, they multiply together. 

Split Symbol: Splits up to 5 of the same symbols in a single position. 

Expand Winning Symbol: Expands a symbol to cover the full reel. 

Synced Reels: Makes 2 adjacent reels identical in the base game (3 in free spins). 

This feature adds a layer of unpredictability, as it can completely reshape a spin’s outcome. 

Free Spins 

Free spins are triggered when all 5 reels reach 6 positions high in the base game. The round begins with 6 free spins on a grid starting at 6 rows high. During free spins: 

Reels can expand up to 9 high, creating the maximum 118,098 paylines. 

Players earn +2 extra spins if all reels hit 9 high. 

A multiplier increases by +1 after each win, and it does not reset between spins. 

Before free spins begin, players can use the Wacky Gamble Wheel to try and increase their spin count up to 18. However, losing the gamble forfeits all free spins. 

Bonus Buy Options 

LooneyPop includes three bonus buy choices:Boom Bonus: 6 free spins with synced reels for 125x the bet. 

Wacky Gamble Wheel: Gamble for up to 18 free spins (or none) for 125x the bet. 

Maxi Boomy Bonus: 12 free spins with up to 3 synced reels for 500x the bet. 

These options provide flexibility for players who prefer instant access to the slot’s most lucrative features.

Betting Options and Payouts 

LooneyPop accommodates a wide betting range, from €0.20 to €40 per spin, making it suitable for both casual players and high rollers. 

Key stats: 

RTP: 96% (a fair industry standard). 

Volatility: High, meaning big wins are less frequent but can be significant. 

Max Win: A staggering 50,000x the bet, making LooneyPop one of the highest-paying slots in AvatarUX’s portfolio. 

This combination of extreme volatility and massive potential ensures that LooneyPop appeals to risk-takers who are chasing life-changing payouts.

Conclusion 

LooneyPop by AvatarUX is a bold, quirky, and feature-rich addition to the PopWins series. While its alien-invasion-meets-cartoon-chaos theme might feel confusing at first, the polished animations, humorous symbols, and inventive mechanics quickly win players over. The standout element is undoubtedly the Zap Reel, which keeps every spin engaging by dropping powerful modifiers. 

The free spins round, with its expanding reels and persistent multiplier, brings enormous win potential, especially when gambled up to 18 spins. Coupled with the massive 50,000x max win, LooneyPop stands out even among other high-volatility PopWins slots. 

That said, the high risk and sometimes chaotic presentation may not appeal to everyone. Casual players could find the volatility frustrating, while fans of cleaner, more cohesive themes might prefer other AvatarUX titles. However, for thrill-seekers and PopWins veterans, LooneyPop is a must-try.