POP Royale (AvatarUX) Slot Review

POP Royale: Slot Overview 

POP Royale is an online slot developed by AvatarUX, released on November 1, 2023. Known for their innovative PopWins mechanic, the studio has once again fused fast-paced slot gameplay with a theme inspired by battle royale video games like Fortnite. POP Royale is designed to feel like a hybrid between a PvP shooter and a casino slot, combining bright visuals, tactical upgrades, and explosive wins. 

The slot is played on a 5×3 grid that dynamically expands up to 6 rows high, giving players access to as many as 59,049 ways to win. With a highly generous 97.96% RTP, medium-to-high volatility, and a maximum win potential of 10,000x the bet, POP Royale strikes a balance between approachable fun and serious payout potential. Bets range from a minimum of €0.20 to a maximum of €40, catering to casual spinners as well as mid-stakes players. 

POP Royale may not reinvent the PopWins wheel, but it refines the formula with small tweaks and layers of excitement that make it stand out within AvatarUX’s extensive catalog.

Design and Graphics 

The first thing players notice about POP Royale is its vibrant, futuristic design. The game takes place high above the clouds in a floating city, blending sci-fi skylines with vivid neon colors. The atmosphere is unmistakably inspired by battle royale video games, with elements of high-tech combat, weaponry, and stylized characters.Symbols include 7 unique character icons, each resembling futuristic fighters or mercenaries, alongside flashy guns, melee weapons, and gadgets. The lower-paying symbols are represented by standard royals (9–A) but rendered in bright, glowing hues to fit the futuristic theme. 

The animations are smooth and polished: reels pop and expand with dynamic energy, and winning combinations trigger a series of quick, punchy effects that maintain the pace of gameplay. During free spins, the visuals become even more electrified, with glowing multipliers and flashing effects emphasizing the slot’s “battle zone” atmosphere. 

Compared to other PopWins titles like Kitty POPpins or MonkeyPop, POP Royale has one of the most modern and game-inspired aesthetics, appealing to a younger audience familiar with online competitive gaming.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, POP Royale is powered by the PopWins mechanic, a feature AvatarUX fans will be very familiar with. Every time a winning combination lands, the winning symbols are removed and replaced by two new symbols, increasing the reel height. This process continues as long as new wins occur. 

Base Grid: 5 reels, 3 rows. 

Maximum Height in Base Game: 6 rows. 

Maximum Height in Free Spins: 9 rows. 

Ways to Win: Expands from 243 ways up to 59,049 ways. 

Wins pay both left to right and right to left, though 5-of-a-kind wins only count from one side. 

The game features 14 regular pay symbols. 

Low Pays: Card royals (9–A), worth 1.2x–1.6x the bet for 5-of-a-kind. 

High Pays: 7 character symbols, valued 2.5x–8x for 5-of-a-kind. 

Super High Symbol: Pays a hefty 15x the bet for a full combination. 

Notably, POP Royale is without wild symbols, which places emphasis on the PopWins mechanic and multipliers to drive payouts. 

With medium/high volatility, wins may not occur on every spin, but when the reels expand and multipliers come into play, the game can deliver thrilling runs of consecutive payouts.

Sound and Music 

POP Royale’s soundtrack perfectly matches its futuristic, battle royale-inspired vibe. The music is upbeat, electronic, and arcade-like, creating a feeling of urgency and competitiveness. In the base game, the soundtrack provides a steady rhythm, while during free spins the tempo increases, ramping up the excitement. 

Sound effects also play a critical role in immersion. Wins are punctuated by sharp, digital blips, while reel expansions give off a satisfying mechanical “pop.” The gamble wheel is accompanied by suspenseful tones that heighten the tension, especially when deciding whether to risk free spins for more. 

The audio package might remind players of popular PvP shooters, giving the slot an energetic, modern edge. It never overwhelms but enhances the pace of gameplay, ensuring the slot feels lively throughout long sessions.

Bonus Features 

POP Royale comes with several exciting features that complement the PopWins mechanic and add layers of strategy and risk-taking.Free Spins 

To trigger free spins, all five reels must expand to their maximum height of 6 rows in the base game. Once unlocked, players are awarded free spins starting with an x2 multiplier. 

After each win, the multiplier increases by +1. 

Reaching full reel height during free spins gives an instant +3 boost to the multiplier and +4 for every win after. 

Reels reset only to the shortest reel height, not the base, keeping progress alive between spins.
This makes the free spins round the main avenue for big payouts, particularly when multipliers snowball. 

Gamble Wheel 

Before the free spins round begins, players can choose to gamble their spins. 

Base award: 5 free spins. 

Gambles can increase this to 8, 12, or even 16 spins. 

Landing on a golden field on the wheel further boosts spins (up to 16 total). 

However, losing the gamble forfeits all spins and returns the player to the base game. 

This high-risk, high-reward feature fits the competitive spirit of the theme. 

XPRESS Buy 

For those who prefer instant access, the XPRESS menu offers multiple buy options:Gamble Wheel Entry: Buy a spin on the wheel for 75x the bet. 

5 Free Spins: Buy-in directly for 75x the bet. 

12 Free Spins: Jump straight into the action for 300x the bet.
Additionally, the Ante Bet can be activated, increasing the stake by 25% to double the chance of triggering free spins naturally. 

These options allow players to tailor their approach — grinding for organic bonuses, gambling spins for higher potential, or buying straight into premium features.

Betting Options and Payouts 

POP Royale offers a flexible betting range from €0.20 to €40 per spin, making it approachable for casual players while still appealing to mid-stake enthusiasts. Unlike some AvatarUX titles designed for high rollers, this slot has a capped upper limit that balances accessibility with risk. 

The standout number is the 97.96% RTP, which is far above industry averages. Few modern slots reach this level, giving POP Royale a strong competitive edge. 

Volatility is rated medium-to-high, which means the game provides a decent mix of frequent smaller wins and the potential for larger payouts, especially in free spins. 

The maximum win potential is 10,000x the stake, which, while not the largest in AvatarUX’s catalog, is still significant. Given the high RTP, this max win feels more attainable compared to ultra-high volatility games that boast 20,000x but rarely deliver.

Conclusion 

POP Royale is a strong entry in AvatarUX’s ever-growing PopWins series, blending the developer’s signature mechanic with a fresh, video-game-inspired theme. Its battle royale aesthetic, combined with energetic visuals, smooth mechanics, and a blisteringly high RTP, ensures it stands out not only within the PopWins lineup but also in the broader slot market. 

The lack of wild symbols may surprise some players, but this design choice shifts the focus entirely onto PopWins expansions and multipliers, reinforcing the importance of reel growth and strategic risk-taking. The gamble wheel adds another dimension, letting players decide how far they’re willing to push their luck for more spins. 

While POP Royale doesn’t radically innovate beyond what games like CherryPop or MonkeyPop introduced, it polishes the formula to near perfection. For newcomers to the PopWins mechanic, it’s an approachable, engaging entry point. For veterans, it offers a slick, highly rewarding slot with fair math and excellent win potential. 

If you’re looking for a slot that combines modern video game culture with proven casino mechanics, POP Royale is a perfect fit. It’s thrilling, rewarding, and visually dynamic — a slot that’s as fun to play as it is to look at.