Esqueleto Explosivo 3 Slot Review
Thunderkick have completed their Day of the Dead trilogy with Esqueleto Explosivo 3, released in October 2024. The series has evolved considerably since the original 2015 release, and this latest iteration introduces the franchise’s first foray into cluster pays mechanics rather than traditional paylines. Where the first two games established the beloved Day of the Dead aesthetic with singing skulls and Mariachi music, the third entry refines the technical architecture whilst maintaining the thematic identity that’s made the series a devoted favourite among UK players.
Base Game & Features
Esqueleto Explosivo 3 operates on a 5×5 grid using cluster pays mechanics—a significant departure from the payline structures of its predecessors. Wins form when 5 or more matching symbols land horizontally or vertically adjacent, with the cascade feature removing winning clusters and dropping new symbols from above to fill the gaps. This creates the avalanche-style gameplay that defines the series’ appeal.
The game features 6 individually-coloured skull symbols, with the highest-paying symbol producing wins of 150x bet for clusters of 15 or more symbols. During cascades, one position is replaced with either a standard wild or the signature Explosivo Wild, which can randomly land during play or generate through cascading action. When an Explosivo Wild lands, it detonates all symbols in a 3×3 area (excluding wilds, scatters, and the highest-paying symbol), creating the explosive gameplay the series is known for.
The Mucho Multiplier
The Mucho Multiplier stands as the defining mechanical evolution in Esqueleto Explosivo 3. Starting at x1, the multiplier increases with each cascade, reaching a maximum of x32 in the base game. During free spins, this ceiling rises dramatically to x1,024—a sixteen-fold increase from the x64 maximum in the previous version. The multiplier resets with the next paid spin, creating tension between chasing cascades and accepting wins before the streak ends. Community feedback highlights this as the standout feature upgrade: the multiplier mechanic provides meaningful progression that feels genuinely rewarding when it triggers.
Bet+ Options
Thunderkick have implemented customisable bet modifications to suit different risk appetites. The game supports bets from 0.10 to 100 per spin, with three enhancement options available:
- Bonus Boost: Each spin becomes 2x more likely to trigger free spins, costing 1.5x your current bet. RTP adjusts to 94.25%.
- Bonus Boost Plus: Escalates the likelihood to 5x more probable triggers at a cost of 3x bet. RTP increases to 94.35% (the highest available).
- The Enrico Show: Guarantees an Explosivo Wild on the initial drop, costing 2x bet. RTP sits at 94.31%.
Additionally, players can activate Bonus Buy for 75x their current bet to trigger free spins directly, bypassing the need to land scatters naturally. This feature provides flexibility for players seeking to access the bonus round on their own terms.
Esqueleto Explosivo 3 Free Spins
Free spins remain central to Esqueleto Explosivo 3’s win potential. Landing 3 or 4 scatter symbols in the base game triggers the feature, with 3 scatters awarding 10 free spins and 4 scatters providing 12. Each scatter beyond the fourth grants an additional 2 free spins. The Mucho Multiplier resets when free spins are triggered, beginning fresh at x1.
During free spins, an Explosivo Wild Meter sits beneath the grid. Each new Explosivo Wild that lands is added to this collection. When the meter fills with 3 wilds, players receive an extra free spin and the Mucho Multiplier doubles. This meter can fill up to 5 times before further Explosivo Wild collection discontinues, creating a strategic depth to the bonus round that experienced players appreciate.
Free spins themselves are retriggerable when reels fill with wild symbols. During the feature, scatter triggers work differently: 2 scatters award +3 additional spins, 3 scatters provide +5, and 4 scatters grant +7. Each scatter beyond the fourth adds +2 spins. This structure means the free spins feature can extend significantly with lucky outcomes, particularly when multiplier doubling occurs through meter fills.
Technical Specifications
Understanding the technical foundation helps contextualise the gameplay experience:
- RTP: 94.22% (base game). Adjusts to 94.25% with Bonus Boost, 94.35% with Bonus Boost Plus, and 94.31% with Enrico Show
- Volatility: High
- Maximum Win: 7,500x stake
- Bet Range: 0.10 to 100
- Grid: 5×5 cluster pays (no fixed paylines)
- Release Date: 23 October 2024
- Mobile: Fully optimised for iOS and Android devices
The 94.22% base RTP is worth noting—it sits below the 95%+ standard many UK players expect, and below both predecessors in the series. Combined with high volatility gameplay, this creates a risk profile that experienced players understand but casual players may find punishing. Community feedback consistently identifies this as the game’s primary drawback: wins arrive infrequently (approximately 19-25% hit rate across extended play), meaning substantial bankrolls suit this title better.
Our Honest Verdict
Esqueleto Explosivo 3 represents a refinement rather than a revolutionary evolution—and that’s both its strength and limitation. Thunderkick have successfully navigated the difficult task of continuing an established franchise by respecting the original’s identity whilst introducing meaningful mechanical improvements. The shift to cluster pays, the exponential multiplier increase, and the Explosivo Wild meter create a gameplay experience that feels genuinely different from its predecessors, not simply recycled.
The visual and audio presentation remains a standout. The singing skulls, Mariachi soundtrack, and fireworks animations create an unmistakably festive experience that justifies the series’ devoted following. Players familiar with the franchise will recognise the enhanced “liveliness” of this iteration—the production quality feels noticeably improved, with cascading wins accompanied by immediate visual feedback that maintains engagement throughout play.
However, the 7,500x maximum win cap presents a conspicuous trade-off. The Mucho Multiplier reaching x1,024 in free spins represents a 16x increase over the previous version’s x64 limit. Yet the maximum win cap increased only 1.5x from 5,000x to 7,500x. This mathematical disproportion means the dramatically enhanced multiplier capacity hasn’t translated to proportionally enhanced win potential—a point experienced players have noted with disappointment. The game feels restrained despite its mechanical power.
For franchise loyalists and high-volatility enthusiasts with adequate bankrolls, Esqueleto Explosivo 3 delivers. The feature quality is genuinely excellent, and the Mucho Multiplier enhancements provide the evolutionary step fans sought. Casual players seeking consistent base game action or improved RTP should look elsewhere. Those new to the series might find the original Esqueleto Explosivo more approachable—community ratings consistently favour the first game despite its technical simplicity.
Esqueleto Explosivo 3 is a confident continuation that respects legacy while introducing real gameplay evolution. It’s built specifically for experienced high-volatility players who understand the risk-reward profile and appreciate thematic excellence alongside mechanical refinement. Rating: 7.5/10
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Esqueleto Explosivo 3?
The certified RTP of Esqueleto Explosivo 3 is 94.22%. However, the RTP increases to 94.25% when you activate the Bonus Boost feature, 94.35% on the Bonus Boost Plus (the highest available), and 94.31% when the Enrico Show is active. These RTP variations allow players to adjust their expected return based on their risk appetite and bonus trigger preference. -
What is the maximum win on Esqueleto Explosivo 3?
The maximum win potential is 7,500x bet. The Mucho Multiplier in the game reaches up to x1,024 during free spins (compared to x64 in the previous version), representing a significant increase in multiplier capacity. However, the max win cap of 7,500x represents a 50% increase from the previous game’s 5,000x, showing a disproportionate relationship between the multiplier enhancement and the win cap increase. -
Does Esqueleto Explosivo 3 have free spins?
Yes. Landing three or four scatter symbols in the base game triggers free spins, awarding 10 spins for 3 scatters and 12 spins for 4 scatters. Each additional scatter beyond the fourth grants two more free spins. During free spins, the Mucho Multiplier, Explosivo Wild symbols, and the Explosivo Wild meter can all activate, creating opportunities for substantial wins. Free spins can be retriggered when reels fill with wild symbols. -
What is the volatility of Esqueleto Explosivo 3?
The volatility in this game is high, with an RTP of 94.22%. High volatility means wins are less frequent but potentially larger when they occur. In practical terms, this translates to roughly 19-25% hit frequency (meaning 75-81% of spins produce no payout), so substantial bankrolls suit this game better than casual play sessions. -
What are the bonus features in Esqueleto Explosivo 3?
The game includes explosive wild symbols that clear 3×3 areas when they land, the Mucho Multiplier that escalates with each cascade up to x32 in base game and x1,024 in free spins, and the ability to retrigger free spins when reels fill with wild symbols. Additional features include the Explosivo Wild Meter (which doubles the multiplier when filled), and bet enhancement options: Enrico Show, Bonus Boost, and Bonus Boost Plus—each increasing free spins trigger probability at varying cost levels. -
How many reels does Esqueleto Explosivo 3 have?
Esqueleto Explosivo 3 is a 5 reel, 5 row slot game with cluster pays mechanics, which means there are no fixed paylines. Wins are formed by landing clusters of 5 or more matching symbols that are adjacent horizontally or vertically. This represents a significant departure from the traditional payline structures of the original Esqueleto Explosivo (17 paylines) and its sequel (99 paylines). -
Can I play Esqueleto Explosivo 3 on mobile devices?
Yes. The game is optimised for devices and screens of all resolutions, so you can play it on your Android and iOS mobile phones without any issues. The HTML5 technology used ensures smooth gameplay across all major mobile platforms and screen sizes. -
Is Esqueleto Explosivo 3 part of a series?
Yes, Esqueleto Explosivo 3 is the third and final game in the Esqueleto Explosivo series by Thunderkick. The series began in 2015 with the original Esqueleto Explosivo (17 paylines), progressed to Esqueleto Explosivo 2 Reborn in 2019 (99 paylines), and concludes with this 2024 release featuring cluster pays mechanics. Thunderkick have described this as completing the Day of the Dead trilogy, suggesting no further mainline sequels are planned.
