3 Lucky Hippos 2 Slot Review
Get ready to fatten up and feast on tasty wins in 3 Lucky Hippos 2, courtesy of PearFiction Studios. While our knowledge of hippos stretches to the Hungry Hungry Hippos game and Madagascar movies, Games Global partner PearFiction Studios educates us on the subject in their latest release, 3 Lucky Hippos 2.
Whilst our knowledge of these animals is sparse, we’re well acquainted with this particular trio from the original 3 Lucky Hippos. Using Games Global’s platform to release their games, PearFiction Studios has built quite a shining portfolio of colourful, cartoon-animated slots.
The first release to benefit from the new aesthetics was Squealin’ Riches in 2021, and since then, every new release from the studio has swiftly followed suit, with no signs of slowing, nor would we want it to. Other titles include Alpha Gods: Zeus and 3 Lucky Gators.
3 Lucky Hippos 2 sets the bar high, returning the Lock’n Win & Top Graderz mechanics to our screens, but have these hippos bitten off more than they can chew? With a fixed RTP of 96.01% and a medium volatility score, this game can produce wins worth up to 10,000x your bet.
Continue reading our full 3 Lucky Hippos 2 slot review for further insights into gameplay, features, mechanics, and our honest rating & opinion…
Base Game & Features
3 Lucky Hippos 2 is the latest release from PearFiction Studios, as part of an ongoing sequel, consisting of 5 reels and 243-7,776 ways to win. Paytable symbols award winning combinations when 3-5 matching symbols land on adjacent reels, starting from reel 1.
The highest-paying symbol falls to the Dragon Fruit, followed by Strawberries, Bananas, Avocados, Grapes, and A, K, Q, J & 10 card ranks. After all wins are evaluated, fixed payouts between 0.2x and 4x your bet are applied, where applicable.
Additionally, Wild symbols appear on reels 2, 3, 4, & 5, substituting for all symbols except Pot, Collect, TopGraderz, & Cash Prizes. Other special symbols available on the reels include Cash Prizes and Collect symbols.
Top Graderz Row
During each base game spin, the Top Graderz Row above the main reel set will spin horizontally, through a series of Special symbols:
- Split Symbols: Adds +1, +2, or +3 symbols per reel, increasing the number of ways to win. The current setup is carried over to the Lock’n Win feature if triggered in the same spin.
- Boost Symbols: Increase the value of all collected Cash Prizes by 1x to 25x your bet. Please note that this modifier will only activate when a Collect symbol is available on the reels.
- Multiplier Symbols: Reveal a random Multiplier between x2 and x100, which is applied to a random Cash Prize icon in the same spin. Please note that this modifier only activates when there is a Collect symbol on the reels.
- Bonus Symbols: Collecting a Top Graderz Bonus symbol instantly triggers all 3 Lock’n Win features. Bonus symbols can only be collected over several spins, with more than one able to land at any time.
Collect Feature
Throughout gameplay, Cash Prizes between 0.2x and 100x your bet can appear on reels 1-5. Each visible Cash Prize that appears, absent a Collect symbol, is essentially worthless.
When a Collect symbol falls upon reel 5, alongside 1 or more Cash Prizes, the Collect Feature triggers. Once active, the Collect symbol will gather all available Cash Prizes into one sum and apply them to the total win of the spin.
There are 4 types of Collect symbols available:
- Collect: Awards the total of all visible Cash Prizes.
- Jump Collect: May award additional cash prizes to random reel positions, or increase the value of existing ones.
- Respin Collect: Removes all paytable symbols from the reels, triggering a Respin. At the end of the Respin, the total value of all Cash Prizes is awarded.
- Double Collect: Awards all Cash Prizes on the reels twice.
Pot Symbols & Wheel Feature
Each Hippo above the reels has its own corresponding Pot symbol that can appear anywhere on the reels. Once a Pot symbol hits, it is fed to its respective Hippo above the reels for a chance to trigger a Lock’n Win feature.
When a Purple Pot symbol appears in view, there is a chance for it to trigger the Wheel Feature, awarding one of the following Prizes:
- Jackpot Prizes: Mini (15x), Minor (50x), Major (500x), Mega (10,000x)
- Instant Prizes: 8x, 10x, 12x your bet
- Lock’n Win: Triggers 1, 2 or 3 Lock’n Win features
3 Lucky Hippos 2: Lock’n Win Bonus
Each time a Yellow, Orange, or Purple Pot symbol is collected into its respective Hippo above the reels, there’s a chance for 1, 2, or all 3 Lock’n Win features to trigger. Regardless of which Lock’n Win feature is activated, each mode begins with 3 Respins.
At the start of each feature, all paytable symbols are removed except Cash Prizes, which lock into position when they land. For every new Cash Prize symbol that appears, the current number of Respins resets to 3.
The standard Lock’n Win feature ends when no further Respins remain, after which, all Cash Prizes are added together and applied accordingly.
Lock’n Win Multiply
The Lock’n Win Multiply feature can trigger when an Orange Pot symbol appears on the reels. This mode utilises the same mechanics found in the original Lock’n Win feature; however, Multipliers up to x100 can appear on the reels, alongside Cash Prizes.
At the start of the session, the Lock’n Win Multiplier begins at x2. Each time a Multiplier symbol hits, its value is added to the current Lock’n Win Multiplier, which is applied to all Cash Prizes that land on the reels.
Lock’n Win Dual Reels
The Lock’n Win Dual Reels feature may activate when a Yellow Pot symbol falls upon the reels. Once active, a second matrix is awarded, along with an additional 3 Respins. The same gameplay mechanics are followed from other Lock’n Win features.
The feature ends when each matrix has either completed all Respins or filled all grid positions. Please note that both matrices play out independently of each other, while the Multiplier from Lock’n Win Multiply applies to both matrices.
Lock’n Win Supreme
The Lock’n Win Supreme feature can be accessed by landing a Pink Pot symbol on the reels. In this mode, Purple Cash Prize symbols are responsible for collecting Green Cash Prize symbols upon their appearance.
Boost Buy
Players may purchase one of the following Boost Buy options:
- Boost 1: Increases the frequency of triggering the Collect Feature by 2 times for 2x your bet per spin (96.01%)
- Boost 2: Increases the frequency of triggering the Collect Feature by 15 times for 10x your bet per spin (96.03%)
3 Lucky Hippos 2 has a maximum win potential of 10,000x your bet. If a single session exceeds this figure, the current mode ends, and the player returns to the base game with the qualifying amount.
Our Honest Verdict
3 Lucky Hippos 2 takes on many iconic attributes from the original release, but goes bigger and better where it matters most, complete with a great selection of Lock’n Win features, Jackpot Prizes, & Boost Buy alternatives.
What is always striking about a PearFiction release is how feature-rich they are, and 3 Lucky Hippos 2 is a prime example of this. The game returns to our screens with its light-hearted, colourful animations and art style, which illuminates each spin and session.
The Top Graderz row offers a healthy selection of special outcomes, including Splitting symbols, Boosters, & Multipliers. In addition, the game possesses a Collect Feature, Pot symbols, Wheel functions, and several Lock’n Win modes.
PearFiction Studios has us well-versed in all things Top Graderz and Lock’n Win thanks to the multiple releases that came before 3 Lucky Hippos 2, but is this type of gameplay to everyone’s taste? Sadly not. Some may clock the Mega, Major, Minor, & Mini Jackpot Prizes and run in the other direction, whilst others may favour this type of feature – each to their own.
This release, whilst offering a variety of upgraded features, has double the maximum win potential when compared to the original. Should you find yourself clutching the maximum win potential, you’ll find yourself 10,000x your bet better off.
All in all, 3 Lucky Hippos 2 is an attractive addition to PearFiction Studios’ growing portfolio, and a promising sequel to an existing slot of great success & popularity.
*The images found in this slot review are currently from Demo Play. On average, our reviews are written prior to the initial release date and before real play is available.
