Snake Arena Slot Review
Relax Gaming have carved out a reputation for delivering conceptually fresh slots that blend compelling mechanics with genuine entertainment value. Snake Arena exemplifies this approach by combining a medieval fantasy aesthetic with an unusual snake-based bonus mechanic that draws direct inspiration from the classic mobile phone game. Launched in January 2020, the slot presents a charming retro appeal wrapped in a cartoonish castle setting, making it immediately recognisable within the developer’s portfolio.
The game operates across a 5×5 grid with 30 fixed paylines, backed by a solid 96.25% RTP and notably high volatility gameplay. With a maximum win potential of 2,758× stake and flexible betting from 0.10 to 100.00 per spin, Snake Arena targets players who appreciate creative bonus design alongside meaningful win potential.
Base Game & Features
The base game layout consists of five reels across five rows, arranged in a 5×5grid configuration. This structure supports 30 fixed paylines, meaning winning combinations remain consistent across all spins. The medieval fantasy theme translates into symbol design, with high-paying royal symbols and thematic icons representing knights, castles, and shields.
Special Symbols
Snake Wild Symbol: The snake appears as a 3-space vertical wild that substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations. This wild is central to triggering the free spins feature and grows during the bonus round as a core mechanic.
Knight Symbol: Acting as the scatter, the knight symbol appears across any reel and serves as the trigger point for the snake’s movement during free spins. The interaction between snake and knight forms the basis of Snake Arena’s most distinctive feature.
Wild Chase Feature
Snake Arena includes a base game modifier called Wild Chase that activates randomly during regular spins. When triggered, this feature awards between 1 and 5 wild reels for that single spin, creating additional winning combinations across the game’s 30 paylines. The unpredictable nature of this feature adds an element of excitement to the base game, though activation frequency remains moderate rather than constant.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Snake Arena’s standout feature is undoubtedly its free spins round, which centres on an innovative snake growth mechanic that differs significantly from traditional bonus designs. This is where the game distinguishes itself mechanically and where players experience the highest entertainment value.
Free Spins Trigger & Snake Mechanics
The free spins feature triggers when the Snake Wild appears on reel 1 while a Knight symbol lands on any other reel. Upon activation, the snake begins its pursuit of the knight across the remaining reels. Each time the snake reaches (consumes) a knight symbol, it grows in length by one segment, and an additional free spin is awarded. The mechanic continues with unlimited potential retriggers so long as the snake doesn’t crash into itself.
This growth mechanism creates genuine tension during the bonus round. Players track the snake’s progression across the grid, hoping it reaches multiple knights whilst avoiding crashing into its own body. If the snake’s trajectory becomes blocked by its own tail, the free spins round ends immediately. However, should the snake successfully fill reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 completely during the feature, a substantial 1,000× stake bonus is awarded, providing a meaningful reward for the mechanic’s successful execution.
Bonus Buy Feature
Snake Arena includes a bonus buy option priced at 70× the current stake, allowing players to bypass the base game and jump directly to free spins. The theoretical RTP remains 96.25% when using bonus buy, maintaining fairness regardless of entry method. However, this feature is restricted to players outside the UK due to regulatory constraints—UK players cannot access bonus buy functionality.
Our Honest Verdict
Rating: 7.5/10
Snake Arena succeeds in delivering a conceptually strong slot with a bonus feature that genuinely engages players. The snake growth mechanic is innovative and entertaining, providing moments of genuine excitement when the feature strikes. The medieval aesthetic is charming and whimsical, with a cartoonish castle backdrop that creates immediate visual appeal. For players who appreciate creative bonus design and nostalgic gameplay referencing the classic mobile snake game, this slot offers clear value.
However, the game comes with notable limitations that merit honest acknowledgement. The base game operates relatively flat, with the Wild Chase feature providing insufficient excitement to sustain interest between bonus rounds. The 2,758× maximum win, whilst respectable, sits below what high-volatility chasers typically pursue. Most significantly, the high volatility designation means winning combinations appear infrequently—long dry spells are entirely normal—which makes this game poorly suited for bankroll-conscious players. This is a high-risk, high-reward experience better suited to players with adequate session budgets and patience for variance.
Snake Arena serves a specific segment: players seeking engaging bonus mechanics, nostalgic appeal, and themed experiences rather than maximum win potential. It will more than suffice for those drawn to retro concepts and creative feature design, though players new to Relax Gaming or those chasing massive multipliers should explore other releases within the developer’s portfolio.
Snake Arena FAQs
Snake Arena from Relax Gaming has an RTP of 96.25%. This game features high volatility, meaning winning combinations appear less frequently but can be substantially rewarding when they do occur. The game operates on a 5×5 grid with 30 paylines and delivers a maximum win of 2,758× stake.
The Snake Arena slot has a maximum payout of 2,758× stake on a single spin. If you successfully fill reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 with snake symbols during the free spins feature, you receive a direct prize of 1,000× stake. The maximum payout can be achieved when combining these substantial wins with the game’s bonus feature mechanics.
Snake Arena is rated as highly volatile, meaning it is a high-risk game where you may experience extended periods without winning combinations. With high volatility, you will be waiting a while in between wins. However, when wins come around, you can expect them to be substantial, particularly during the free spins feature.
Yes, Snake Arena features an engaging free spins bonus. The feature triggers when you land the snake wild on reel 1 and the knight symbol on any other reel. During free spins, the snake moves towards the knight symbol. If the snake reaches the knight, it consumes it and grows in length, awarding an additional free spin. There is potential for unlimited free spins through continuous retriggers.
Yes, Snake Arena offers a bonus buy feature available for players outside the UK. The bonus buy option allows you to skip the base game and head straight to the free spins for 70× your current stake. The theoretical RTP when using bonus buy remains 96.25%. This feature is restricted for UK players due to regulatory requirements.
Yes, Snake Arena is mobile compatible and accessible via Android, iPhone, and Windows devices through any web browser. The game runs smoothly as a responsive HTML5 title, delivering consistent gameplay across all device types without requiring any download. Snake Arena performs particularly well on touch screen devices.
Snake Arena is a medieval-themed video slot released on January 7, 2020, by Relax Gaming. The game is set against a backdrop of mighty castles, palaces, king’s crowns, rings, grand suits, knights, and medieval iconography. The game features a medieval fantasy theme with a cartoonish castle aesthetic and is centred around a 5×5 slot grid.
The Wild Chase feature is a base game mechanic in Snake Arena that activates randomly during regular spins. When triggered, it awards between 1 and 5 wild reels that create many winning combinations across the game’s 30 paylines. This feature adds excitement to the base game and creates additional win opportunities beyond standard symbol combinations.
