MonkeyPop (AvatarUX) Slot Review

MonkeyPop: Slot Overview 

Released on April 21, 2022, MonkeyPop by AvatarUX is the tenth entry in the studio’s iconic PopWins series, showcasing just how far this mechanic has come since its debut. While previous titles leaned heavily on neon fruit machines or flashy modern art styles, MonkeyPop takes a refreshing turn toward Asian-inspired artistry, giving players a distinctly different experience. 

The slot launches on a 5×3 grid with 486 ways to win. Through the PopWins mechanic, this can expand dramatically up to 33,614 paylines, offering vast potential. MonkeyPop comes with an RTP of 96.33%, a hit frequency of 27.62%, and an average free spins trigger rate of 1 in 298 spins, striking a balance between accessibility and high volatility thrills. The maximum win potential sits at an impressive 20,000x the stake, and bets range from €0.20 to €100 per spin, ensuring wide appeal for both casual and high-stakes players. 

This release proves that AvatarUX is willing to diversify its approach—MonkeyPop isn’t just another PopWins clone, but a carefully crafted slot that blends traditional mechanics with thoughtful thematic innovation.

Design and Graphics 

MonkeyPop stands out in AvatarUX’s portfolio thanks to its unique artistic style. Instead of bright neon or comic-book chaos, the design embraces an elegant Japanese watercolor aesthetic. The reels appear painted on parchment-like textures, while backgrounds borrow inspiration from The Great Wave off Kanagawa and other classical motifs. The end result feels more refined and serene than many other PopWins slots.The symbols follow the theme: 

Low pays: 10–A royals written in calligraphic script, paying 0.5–0.6x the bet for five of a kind. 

High pays: Five playful monkey characters, illustrated in charming watercolor style, paying 1–2.5x the bet for five of a kind. 

Wilds: Substitutes for any symbol except the bonus, adding flexibility to combinations. 

Bonus symbols: Trigger the coveted free spins feature. 

AvatarUX’s design team deserves credit for moving away from overly busy “Asian slots” tropes (dragons, lanterns, golden statues) and instead creating something far more subtle. The style makes MonkeyPop memorable, with visuals that both relax and entertain.

Gameplay Mechanics 

As a PopWins slot, MonkeyPop is defined by its expanding reels and cascading wins. The mechanic works as follows: 

Wins remove the symbols involved, which are replaced by two new symbols, expanding reel height. 

The process continues as long as new wins occur. 

The grid starts at 5×3 but can expand up to 5×7, unlocking 33,614 ways to win. 

Paylines work both left to right and right to left, doubling the chance of forming combinations. 

Another core mechanic is the Base Game Unlock: 

When all reels reach 7 rows high in the base game, 2 free spins are awarded, along with the removal of a random selection of low-paying symbols. 

This makes it easier to hit higher-value combinations going forward. 

Together, these mechanics ensure the base game is always dynamic, with each spin carrying potential to snowball into larger wins.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack is carefully chosen to match the game’s elegant theme. Rather than pumping electronic beats, MonkeyPop opts for gentle Asian-inspired melodies, blending traditional string and wind instruments with soft ambient tones. 

Base game: Calm, reflective music complements the watercolor visuals, giving spins a meditative rhythm. 

Feature triggers: Audio shifts dramatically with celebratory sounds, signaling the heightened excitement of modifiers or free spins. 

Free spins: The soundtrack intensifies, layering in faster beats and additional instrumentals to amplify suspense. 

The sound design here is understated but powerful—it avoids cliché while enhancing immersion, ensuring MonkeyPop feels more like a crafted experience than just a slot.

Bonus Features 

MonkeyPop is loaded with bonus elements that build on its PopWins base.Free Spins Bonus Game 

Triggered by landing 3 or more bonus symbols, free spins begin with a unique Reward Reel screen, where four rewards are randomly drawn: 

Starting free spins: 5–10. 

Starting ways: 486, 2,048, or 6,250. 

Starting multiplier: x1–x5. 

Multiplier growth per spin: +1 to +5. 

This randomization means every bonus round feels different, adding excitement before spins even begin. 

During free spins: 

The reels do not reset between spins, but instead drop only to the lowest height achieved on that spin. 

If reels reach 7 rows high, players gain +2 extra free spins, and more low-paying symbols are removed. 

Multipliers grow progressively, stacking with each cascade. 

Scatter Collection Mechanic 

One of MonkeyPop’s unique innovations is its scatter collection feature: 

During free spins, each bonus symbol collected upgrades one high-paying monkey symbol into a gilded version worth 5x its original payout. 

If a gilded symbol is selected again, it can be upgraded to a x10 payout version. 

This feature gives free spins a strong sense of progression and makes chasing retriggers particularly rewarding. 

Bonus Buy Options 

For players who prefer to skip the grind, MonkeyPop offers three bonus buy levels:Buy Bonus (100x bet): Standard free spins entry. 

Buy Bonus Plus (250x bet): Grants higher starting rewards. 

Buy Bonus Max (500x bet): Begins at the highest modifier levels for maximum win potential. 

These options ensure flexibility for players with different risk appetites.

Betting Options and Payouts 

MonkeyPop is versatile in terms of stake levels: 

Minimum Bet: €0.20 

Maximum Bet: €100 

With a 96.33% RTP and high volatility, the slot promises big wins but also long stretches of variance. The hit frequency of 27.62% means players can expect frequent smaller wins, while the free spins trigger rate of 1 in 298 spins reflects the balance between base play and bonus progression. 

The payout structure: 

Low-paying royals (10–A): Pay 0.5–0.6x the stake. 

High-paying monkeys: Pay 1–2.5x the stake. 

Wilds: Substitute for all symbols except bonuses. 

Free spins gilded upgrades: Can push high symbols up to 10x multipliers, drastically increasing payouts. 

At its peak, MonkeyPop can deliver wins of up to 20,000x the bet, putting it on par with other top-tier AvatarUX slots.

Conclusion 

MonkeyPop demonstrates that AvatarUX can reinvent its own formula without abandoning what made it popular. While the PopWins mechanic remains central, the introduction of scatter collection, gilded symbol upgrades, and randomized free spins starting conditions adds fresh layers of excitement. 

The art and sound design deserve special praise. The watercolor aesthetic and Japanese-inspired soundtrack elevate MonkeyPop above many generic “Asian slots,” offering a refined, memorable experience. The gameplay mechanics strike a good balance: the base game offers consistent entertainment with PopWins expansion, while free spins deliver the kind of volatility and potential that high-risk players seek. 

Yes, MonkeyPop requires patience, as free spins naturally occur only about once every 298 spins, but the reward is worth the wait. The potential for 20,000x wins, coupled with progressive multipliers and gilded symbol upgrades, ensures adrenaline-pumping gameplay. 

Ultimately, MonkeyPop is a beautiful, innovative, and highly rewarding slot, making it both an excellent introduction to the PopWins mechanic for new players and a must-try for veterans looking for a fresh take.