WildPops (AvatarUX) Slot Review

WildPops: Slot Overview 

WildPops is the second installment in AvatarUX’s PopWins series, following the successful release of PopRocks. Developed in collaboration with Yggdrasil Gaming, this title continues the innovative mechanic that allows reels to expand dynamically with every win. The result is a slot that feels alive, constantly reshaping itself with cascading pops, multipliers, and new winning opportunities. 

At its core, WildPops is a high-volatility slot with a maximum payout potential of 17,707x the stake, an RTP of 96.8%, and a hit frequency of around 21.8%, ensuring frequent smaller wins with the possibility of massive rewards. It plays out on a grid that starts with 5 reels and 3 rows, but thanks to the PopWins feature, it can expand up to 7 rows high, unlocking as many as 33,614 ways to win. 

Released as a sequel, WildPops fine-tunes the math model of PopRocks, offering a less punishing yet still highly volatile experience. The addition of a Random Wild feature enhances its appeal, giving players more consistent opportunities to extend their winning streaks.

Design and Graphics 

Visually, WildPops embraces a distinctly Asian-inspired aesthetic. The reels are adorned with ornate golden frames, fiery accents, and a collection of symbols that reflect Eastern mythology and culture. High-paying icons include stylized dragons and other mythical creatures, while lower-paying symbols are represented by card royals (9-A) rendered in a block-print style that blends seamlessly into the theme.The color palette is brighter and more cheerful compared to its predecessor, PopRocks. Instead of a darker, mysterious setting, WildPops brings a daylight green backdrop that gives it a lighter, more approachable tone. This makes the slot feel fresher and more inviting, without sacrificing the grandeur and richness expected of an AvatarUX title. 

Animations are crisp and lively. Each time symbols pop and new ones cascade into place, the grid glows with energy. The meter on the left-hand side fills up with multipliers, while the PopWins mechanic stretches the reels upward, adding intensity and excitement to every spin.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The central gameplay mechanic in WildPops is the PopWins feature, which ensures that winning combinations trigger additional symbols. Whenever a win occurs, the winning icons explode, and two new symbols drop into the grid. This expands the reels vertically, making room for more symbols and potential wins. The reels can grow up to 7 rows high, greatly increasing the number of win ways from the base 486 to an astonishing 33,614 when fully expanded. 

Another key aspect is the win-both-ways system, meaning combinations can pay from left to right and right to left, effectively doubling the chances of scoring wins compared to traditional slots. 

To keep gameplay engaging, the multiplier meter rises with every win. Starting at x1, the multiplier increases by +1 for every 7 symbols popped. Unlike many slots, this multiplier is persistent during a round but resets when no new winning combinations appear. 

Adding to the excitement, if every reel reaches the maximum height of 7 rows, players are awarded 3 extra lives. This effectively acts as a free spin mode within the base game, keeping the reels at their maximum size while refreshing the grid for new combinations. The extra lives continue until no new wins occur, creating some of the game’s most thrilling moments.

Sound and Music 

Audio design plays a huge role in reinforcing the immersive qualities of WildPops. The soundtrack is filled with Asian-inspired instrumental music, blending traditional stringed instruments with modern digital flourishes. It strikes a balance between soothing tones during idle spins and rising intensity when multipliers and reel expansions kick in. 

Sound effects are crisp and rewarding—pops burst with a satisfying snap, multipliers chime as they increase, and wilds land with dramatic flair. Together, the music and effects create a layered audio experience that feels celebratory without ever becoming overwhelming.

Bonus Features 

PopWinsMechanicThe standout feature, inherited from PopRocks, is the PopWins mechanic. Every win expands the reels by replacing popped symbols with two new ones, allowing the grid to grow as big as 5×7. This mechanic not only keeps spins alive longer but also directly ties into multiplier growth and potential bonus rounds. 

Multiplier Meter

Every win adds to the multiplier meter, increasing by +1 for every 7 symbols popped. There’s no upper limit, meaning multipliers can grow significantly in longer cascades. This feature ensures that extended win streaks become extremely lucrative. 

Extra Lives Feature

When all reels hit their maximum height of 7 rows, players are awarded 3 extra lives, which function like free spins. Each non-winning spin consumes a life, while winning spins refresh the grid and keep the action going. Importantly, the multiplier does not reset between these lives, creating immense potential during this phase. 

Random Wild Feature

A new addition unique to WildPops is the Random Wild feature. Triggered when players achieve three consecutive wins, it introduces 2 random wilds onto the grid. This can repeat after every third consecutive win, meaning wilds can appear multiple times in a single extended cascade. These wilds prevent dead spins and can dramatically boost payouts by connecting otherwise isolated symbols.

Betting Options and Payouts 

WildPops offers flexible betting that caters to both casual players and high rollers. The minimum stake is €0.20 per spin, while the maximum goes up to €50. This range ensures accessibility across different bankroll sizes. 

RTP: 96.8% 

Hit Frequency: 21.8% 

Volatility: High 

Max Win: 17,707x the stake 

Paylines/Ways: Up to 33,614 

In terms of symbol payouts, the low-paying icons (9-A royals) contribute smaller wins but appear more frequently. The high-paying Asian symbols bring stronger payouts, with the top-tier dragon symbol worth up to 30x the stake. While this might appear modest, the real money comes from multipliers, cascades, and the extra lives feature, which multiply even average wins into massive totals. 

As with most high-volatility slots, big wins are not frequent, but the potential payout ceiling of over 17,700x the bet ensures that the risk is balanced with extraordinary reward potential.

Conclusion 

WildPops is a superb sequel that takes the PopWins formula to new heights, blending familiar mechanics with fresh features to deliver a polished, rewarding experience. While PopRocks leaned toward extreme volatility with higher but less frequent rewards, WildPops strikes a more balanced approach. The slightly tamed math model means more consistent entertainment, while still offering explosive win potential. 

The visuals are brighter and more engaging, the soundscape is both relaxing and exciting, and the Random Wild feature keeps gameplay dynamic. With 33,614 ways to win, multipliers that can grow indefinitely, and the thrilling extra lives mechanic, WildPops delivers excitement at every turn. 

Overall, WildPops is an excellent choice for players who enjoy high-volatility slots with innovative mechanics but want a more forgiving experience compared to its predecessor. Whether you’re chasing big multipliers or simply enjoying the energetic design, WildPops offers plenty to love.