Fire Pig Push Ways Slot Review
Turn up the heat and get ready to celebrate in Fire Pig Push Ways, courtesy of Push Gaming!
Push Gaming’s Push Ways mechanic first came to light in their sequel to Big Bite, aptly and strategically named Big Bite Push Ways. The second to showcase the Push Ways mechanic is Fire Pig Push Ways, an Eastern instalment based on the Zodiac….Has someone told Push Gaming that it isn’t the year of the Pig? Either way, it’s too late now.
This particular genre is nothing new for the iGaming industry, and they’re probably just as old as the Tang Dynasty; however, they remain a popular choice, as does Push Gaming.
Fire Pig Push Ways is fixed with a theoretical RTP of 96.27% and a medium volatility score. As the reels spin, you can discover up to 4,941x your bet – an identical payout found in Big Bite Push Ways. Without further ado, let’s find out if the Push Ways mechanic can surpass its predecessor!
Base Game & Features
Fire Pig Push Ways is the latest medium volatility release from Push Gaming, featuring 6 reels, varying rows, and up to 262,144 ways to win. Triggering wins requires 2-6 matching symbols to land on adjacent reels, starting from reel 1.
The Cow, Rabbit, & Snake act as the game’s highest-paying symbols, awarding payouts between 0.4x and 2x your bet. Alternatively, the remaining 7 symbols offer fixed payouts between 0.1x and 0.8x your bet, where applicable.
In addition, the Wild symbol is available on all reels and substitutes for all symbols except Cash, Jackpot, Fire Pig, and Scatter symbols. Lastly, when a matching combination of symbols occurs, they are paid out and removed via an Avalanche Feature.
This causes all remaining symbols to drop to the bottom reel positions, allowing new symbols to fill all empty positions, with the possibility of connecting additional wins during a single spin.
Cash & Jackpot Symbols
During gameplay, special Cash symbols appear on reels 2, 3, 4, & 5 with a prize value between 1x and 100x your bet. Cash symbols are available for collection in the base game and Free Spins mode, when a Fire Pig symbol appears in view.
In addition, the game includes up to 5 Jackpot Prizes: Mini (10x), Minor (25x), Major (100x), Mega (500x), Grand (2,000x). Each Jackpot Prize is persistent above the main reel set, but can only appear on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the base game and Free Spins mode.
Again, like Cash symbols, each Jackpot Prize is only available for collection when a Fire Pig symbol appears alongside them.
Collect Feature
During any spin, a special Fire Pig symbol may appear on reels 1 & 6 in the base game and Free Spins mode. When the Fire Pig lands alongside Cash or Jackpot Prizes, it will instantly collect their respective values.
Occasionally, the Fire Pig may land with an active Multiplier of x1, x2, x3, x5 or x10. If this happens, its current Multiplier value will apply to all collected Cash & Jackpot Prizes collected within that spin.
Furthermore, 2 Fire Pig symbols can land within the same spin, on reels 1 & 6. If this occurs during a spin, each Fire Pig will collect the available Cash & Jackpot Prizes so that their values are awarded twice.
Hot Zone
Throughout gameplay, special Hot Zones can appear across the reels. Hot Zones appear in stacks of 4 and can appear on any reel position, so long as there is not an existing Hot Zone.
Paytable symbols that fall within a Hot Zone are automatically split into 2 instances. Once a symbol has been split, it will increase the number of ways to win, up to a maximum of 262,144.
With each spin, all available Hot Zones will nudge down by 1 position. If a win occurs within an active Hot Zone, the win is paid and removed, allowing new symbols to drop in and fill their space, causing them to split into 2 instances once more.
If an existing split symbol drops outside of an active Hot Zone, it will continue to be split. Please note that active Hot Zones can split Wilds, Cash, Jackpot, Fire Pig, and Scatter symbols.
Push Bet & Bonus Buy
Players outside of restricted jurisdictions (non-UK players) can purchase the Free Spins mode, where between 3 & 12 Scatters are awarded at random, for an additional 120x their bet (RTP 96.36%)
Alternatively, UK players and other countries can utilise the Push Bet Feature for an extra 50% of their current bet per spin. With this feature active, your chances of triggering the Free Spins mode are higher (RTP 96.37%).
Fire Pig Push Ways has a max win potential of 4,941x your bet. If a game round exceeds this figure, the current mode ends, and the player returns to the base game with the qualifying amount.
Fire Pig Push Ways Free Spins
The Free Spins mode is triggered when 3-12 Scatters (including split Scatters) land within the base game, awarding the following Bonus outcome:
- 3 Scatters: 10 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x1
- 4 Scatters: 11 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x1
- 5 Scatters: 12 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x1
- 6 Scatters: 12 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x2
- 7 Scatters: 13 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x2
- 8 Scatters: 13 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x3
- 9 Scatters: 14 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x3
- 10 Scatters: 14 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x5
- 11 Scatters: 15 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x5
- 12 Scatters: 15 Free Spins + a Fire Pig Multiplier of x10
During this mode, Fire Pig symbols that appear will be collected into a special Progression Meter next to the main reel set. When a new Progress Level is achieved, additional Free Spins and a new Fire Pig Multiplier are unlocked:
- Level 1: +4 Free Spins and a x2 Fire Pig Multiplier
- Level 2: +4 Free Spins and a x3 Fire Pig Multiplier
- Level 3: +4 Free Spins and a x5 Fire Pig Multiplier
- Level 4: +4 Free Spins and a x10 Fire Pig Multiplier
The new Fire Pig Multiplier is applied to all Cash and Jackpot Prizes. Lastly, when a Fire Pig lands within a Hot Zone, it will contribute twice to the Progression Meter.
Our Honest Verdict
Push Gaming had us like putty in their hands with the anticipated release of Big Bite Push Ways, which put players in touch with the Hot Zone feature and a unique Push Ways mechanic. If you’re familiar with Push Gaming’s extensive portfolio, you’ll recognise the similarities between Hot Zones and the Nets from Fish ‘n’ Nudge, albeit they’re not functionally identical.
Taking us from our Orca-tracking duties to an oriental celebration of the Chinese zodiac (Year of the Pig, maybe?), we’re graced with fireworks, glowing lanterns, and floating embers, in addition to multiple Jackpot Prizes and up to 262,144 ways to win.
There was a time when almost every new release was subjected to a Jackpot Feature. Luckily for Push Gaming, which has been mass-producing Jackpot slots recently, we’re ready to embrace them once again, and it’s a good job, too, as the latest Wild Swarm Triple Hive includes a lucrative Jackpot mode.
In the base game, each Hot Zone increases the number of ways to win thanks to their ability to split affected positions. Not only are regular paytable symbols affected, but so too are Cash, Jackpot, Fire Pig, Wild, and Scatter symbols, allowing double the value of Jackpot/Cash Prizes to be won during the Fire Pig collection feature.
The Cash Collect and Jackpot functions are probably two of the oldest features across the iGaming industry; however, there’s something about Push Gaming’s interpretations of each feature that makes them feel brand new again. What we do know for certain is that Push Gaming is responsible for some of the most colourful artwork, cartoon themes, and adorable characters, which makes each release, whether new or old, a popular choice with players.
Having to live up to such a high expectation from players means there’s no room for error for Push Gaming, not only in terms of gameplay, but statistically, too. Both this game and Big Bite Push Ways reveal a max win potential of 4,941x your bet. If Push Gaming were hoping to make an impact with players, a higher max win potential would have been beneficial.
All in all, it’s a good game from Push Gaming, but we can’t help but feel that they’re still far from their prime. The days of Jammin Jars, Big Bamboo, and Razor Shark were long ago, but still among the best from them. Fire Pig Push Ways isn’t quite as giant as those, but it’s a worthy offering, nonetheless.
*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.
