Bonzo’s Bananza

Bonzo’s Bananza Slot Review

Hidden deep within the South American jungle lies an ancient temple, fiercely watched over by Bonzo – a sharp-witted monkey who takes his role very seriously…that is, until bananas enter the picture. Once temptation hits, Bonzo’s focus disappears entirely, leaving the temple wide open for daring treasure hunters to make their move.

Bonzo’s Bananza from ELK Studios will have players grooving in their seats in this 5×5 gameplay experience. Get ready for Nudging Wilds, Stacked Multiplier Wilds, Respins, and multiple Free Spins modes, each serving as a means to the 10,000x max win potential.

Since 2013, ELK Studios has gained a solid reputation for pushing creative boundaries, with each game packed with distinctive mechanics & recognisable characters as part of an ongoing series. From the high-octane Nitropolis series to the adventures of Kane in the Gold series, and of course, there’s the fan-favourite duo Toro & Matador, whose chaotic charm has made them much-loved in the industry.

It’s not every day you see ELK Studios step away from expanding an established series; however, Bonzo’s Bananza gives them the chance to play with new ideas, reinvent characters, and refine gameplay features & mechanics. This bold change raises our expectations, but the real question remains: can Bonzo’s Bananza shine just as brightly as other standout titles already sitting on ELK’s shelf? Let’s find out…

Base Game & Features

Consisting of 5 reels, 5 rows, and 259 ways to win, Bonzo’s Bananza awards winning combinations when 3, 4, or 5 matching symbols land across adjoining reels, starting from reel 1.

The Bird has the highest pay value, followed by the Watermelon, Orange, Kiwi, and A, K, & Q royals. Once the reels settle after a spin, each winning combination guarantees a fixed payout between 0.1x and 5x your bet.

Nudging & Stacked Wilds

During gameplay, Nudging & Stacked Wilds may appear, substituting for all symbols except Bonus Scatters. The Banana Wild (nudging) is a 2-row symbol that does not carry a Multiplier. Once in view, it will nudge up or down, triggering a Respins Feature. Banana Wilds will also automatically connect in the same spin.

Alternatively, the Monkey Wild (stacked) is a 5-row symbol that nudges into view until it covers all 5 row positions. When a Monkey Wild hits, it triggers a Respin, allowing all Monkey Wilds to be held until the end of the feature. In the event of multiple Monkey Wilds appearing in the same spin, each Respin function will apply one after the other.

Bonzo’s Bananza: Free Spins

Landing 3, 4 or 5 Bonus Scatters in the base game triggers the Free Spins mode, awarding the following attributes:

• 3 Scatters: Awards 5 Free Spins
• 4 Scatters: Awards 5 Free Spins + a Monkey Wild on the first spin
• 5 Scatters: Awards 5 Free Spins + 2 Monkey Wilds on the first spin

During this mode, all Monkey Wilds are held in their current positions until the end of the feature. Please note that all remaining Free Spins are not used or lost during Monkey or Banana Wild Respins. Landing 3 or more Bonus Scatters awards an additional +5 Free Spins and an additional Monkey Wild, depending on the number of triggering Bonus Scatters.

X-iter

Players may purchase any of the following X-iter Feature options:

• Bonus Hunt: Each spin is 3 times more likely to trigger the Free Spins mode for 2x your bet per spin
• Monkey Wild: Guarantees a single Monkey Wild to appear on the reels for 10x your bet
• Monkey Wild Bananza: Guarantees to position 2 Monkey Wilds on random reels for 25x your bet
• Bonus: Direct access to the Free Spins mode with a minimum of 3 Scatters for 100x your bet
• Super Bonus: Enter the Super Free Spins mode, where 2 Monkey Wilds are guaranteed at the start of the session for 500x your bet

Bonzo’s Bananza has a maximum win potential of 10,000x your bet. If a single session exceeds this, the player returns to the base game with the qualifying amount.

Our Honest Verdict

Right off the bat, Bonzo’s Bananza is a playful, light-hearted game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. ELK Studios gives players a brief narrative to frame the experience, offering a charming glimpse into the mischievous world of Bonzo and his jungle-guarded temple, with the right amount of fun, cheekiness, and engagement from the very first spin.

While Bonzo & his jungle pals feel fresh and full of personality, certain areas of gameplay will feel all too familiar to seasoned ELK fans. In particular, the Nudging & Stacked Wilds mechanics revive ideas first explored in Man vs Gator.

Although this concept is already known to us, we were genuinely pleased to see it make a return. It’s a feature that feels like it has so much more to offer, and it’s clear that ELK Studios hasn’t finished exploring its full potential.

The Free Spins mode is another area where Bonzo’s Bananza rewards stronger triggers. Having 3 Bonus Scatters land in the base game grants the standard Free Spins mode, while landing 4 or 5 Bonus Scatters immediately raises the stakes by guaranteeing 1 & 2 Monkey Wilds on the first spin, respectively. This gives meaning and incentive to players willing to push for more Scatters rather than settling for the minimum.

While the Free Spins mode is the most reliable way to see Monkey Wilds in action, those same mechanics can be found in the base game. That being said, triggering them outside of Free Spins is far more challenging. Thankfully, Banana Wilds appear frequently, taking a lot of the strain during gameplay.

All in all, Bonzo’s Bananza offers a fun, colourful experience that blends playful presentation with familiar mechanics, making it a great choice for players and an enjoyable addition to ELK Studios’ portfolio.

*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.

Bonzo’s Bananaza FAQs

• Can Monkey Wilds appear in the base game of Bonzo’s Bananza?

  Yes, Monkey Wilds are available throughout the base game, though they tend to be more challenging to achieve than Banana Wilds.
• What is the max win potential in Bonzo’s Bananza?

  Bonzo’s Bananza has a maximum win potential of 10,000x your bet. This figure can be obtained through the multiple Wild functions and Free Spins mode.
• Does Bonzo’s Bananza include the X-iter feature?

  Yes, players within eligible markets can participate in several Ante Bet & Bonus Buy functions, bypassing the need to trigger them naturally in the base game.
• Is it possible to see Monkey & Banana Wilds in the base game?

  Yes, it is possible, although you are more likely to see Banana Wilds hit more frequently than Monkey Wilds due to their Multipliers and big win potential.