Squealin’ Riches Slot Review
Pear Fiction Studios brought a solid hold-and-win offering to the market with Squealin’ Riches, released in October 2021. The developer has built a reputation for accessible, feature-rich slots that prioritise gameplay over unnecessary complexity. This piggy bank-themed slot combines familiar mechanics with refined volatility tuning, delivering an experience that balances entertainment value with genuine win potential. The 96.05% RTP sits comfortably above industry averages, positioning this as a compelling proposition for players seeking reliable long-term returns.
Base Game & Features
Squealin’ Riches operates on a 5×4 grid using 1,024 ways to win rather than traditional fixed paylines. This mechanic provides more varied winning combinations across the standard reel setup. The game spans a modest bet range from £0.20 minimum to £20.00 maximum, accommodating both casual players and high-stake players alike. The 27.75% hit frequency means you’ll see winning combinations landing approximately once every 3.6 spins on average, providing consistent base game engagement without excessive dead spins.
The symbol hierarchy follows standard conventions, with lower-value playing card symbols providing frequent small wins and premium themed symbols delivering more substantial payouts. The design aesthetics throughout are vibrant and engaging, featuring cartoon-ish graphics in striking colours that create an upbeat atmosphere. The audio design complements the experience well, with a catchy Frank Sinatra-inspired theme that adds personality to the overall presentation. Whilst the visual design is undeniably the strongest aspect of Squealin’ Riches, players should note that this constant on-screen activity—whilst engaging—can occasionally mask balance depletion during extended sessions.
Special Symbols & Modifiers
The slot features scatter symbols that trigger free spins and bonus symbols that activate the LOCKnWIN feature. Wild symbols substitute for regular symbols to help form winning combinations, though they function within the standard 1,024 ways framework. The game’s modifier system remains relatively straightforward compared to some competitors, with bonus symbols serving as the primary mechanic for accessing premium features. This simplicity is neither inherently good nor bad—it means players can quickly grasp the mechanics, though it won’t satisfy those seeking innovative or complex feature systems.
Squealin’ Riches Bonus Features
LOCKnWIN Feature
The LOCKnWIN mechanic represents the primary attraction of Squealin’ Riches. Triggering requires 6 or more bonus symbols landing on the reels. Once activated, you receive 3 respins with those bonus symbols locked in place whilst all other symbols are removed. The respins reset back to 3 whenever new bonus symbols land, creating potential for extended sequences. This mechanic sits squarely in the hold-and-win category that has become increasingly popular in recent years, and Pear Fiction executes it competently. Whilst the feature isn’t groundbreaking—many developers now offer similar respin mechanics—it provides sufficient variety to maintain player interest during base gameplay.
Bonus Wheel
The Bonus Wheel fills incrementally as you land bonus symbols during base game play and during LOCKnWIN respins. Once filled, the wheel spins and awards one of several possible outcomes: instant cash prizes, free spins, or entry to the tiered jackpot system. The five-tier jackpot structure progresses from Mini (50x bet) through Minor (100x), Major (250x), Grand (1,000x), up to the Epic tier (5,000x bet). Testing commentary suggests the wheel frequently delivers more modest rewards—often landing on 10x bet payouts—rather than consistently triggering premium rewards. This represents a potential disconnect between expected value and actual experience, worth noting for budget-conscious players. However, the system does provide genuine engagement through the anticipation of wheel outcomes, and the possibility of jackpot hits adds meaningful volatility.
Free Spins
Free spins trigger via the Bonus Wheel when you land 3 scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5. The wheel determines your initial free spin count, offering between 10 and 30 spins. Notably, during free spins, bonus symbols continue to be active and contribute toward filling the Bonus Wheel meter. This means you can retrigger additional wheels or even complete wheels whilst holding bonus symbols during the free spins round. The free spins round provides opportunities for significant wins, particularly when combined with Lucky Diamond bonus symbols and Bonus Wheel outcomes. However, one technical limitation worth mentioning: there are no additional multipliers applied to free spin wins, meaning all wins are calculated at base value rather than enhanced rates. This keeps the feature in check relative to the overall volatility structure.
Feature Buy & Bonus Options
Squealin’ Riches offers Feature Buy options for players who prefer direct access to bonus features rather than waiting for organic triggers. Two purchase options are available: 33.24x your bet to access the Bonus Wheel directly, or 55.02x your bet to trigger the Free Spins Wheel immediately. These accelerated paths skip the base game grind and take you straight into bonus territory. Important note for UK players: Feature Buy is not available to UK-based players due to Microgaming’s licensing regulations. UK players can only access these features through organic base game triggers, keeping the experience dependent on natural slot volatility.
Our Honest Verdict
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Squealin’ Riches delivers a competent hold-and-win experience that won’t disappoint those familiar with the mechanics, though it won’t revolutionise the category either. The 96.05% RTP offers genuine value above average market offerings, and the 13,512x maximum win potential is genuinely achievable in principle—though testing suggests it requires optimal sequences combining LOCKnWIN retriggering, wheel progression into jackpot territory, and free spins bonus accumulation. The game’s strongest aspect remains its visual presentation: striking graphics, catchy audio design, and an overall upbeat theme create an engaging atmosphere that elevates otherwise standardised game mechanics.
The limiting factors are primarily mechanical. The feature diversity exists on paper but doesn’t feel particularly innovative given how established these mechanics have become. The LOCKnWIN system is solid rather than exceptional. The Bonus Wheel provides engagement but reportedly delivers modest average payouts in practice. The base game can feel somewhat slow between features for those seeking constant action—high volatility means extended dry spells, particularly between major bonus rounds. The lack of free spins multipliers, whilst mathematically sound for volatility balance, removes a common avenue for truly explosive wins.
Squealin’ Riches aligns best with budget-conscious players and those specifically hunting for hold-and-win mechanics. The £0.20 minimum bet welcomes recreational players, whilst the £20.00 maximum suits more aggressive players. The mobile-optimised HTML5 platform works smoothly across iOS and Android devices, making portable play viable. Those seeking cutting-edge innovation should look elsewhere—this is solidly mid-tier territory. However, if you appreciate reliable RTPs, don’t demand groundbreaking features, and enjoy hunting for jackpot tiers within familiar mechanics, Squealin’ Riches merits a try at your preferred UK online casino. Pear Fiction have created a solid contribution to the genre that succeeds primarily through presentation polish and mechanical competence rather than innovative design.
Squealin’ Riches FAQs
-
What is the RTP of Squealin’ Riches slot?
The RTP (Return to Player) of Squealin’ Riches is 96.05%, which sits above the industry average of 96%. Alternative versions are available at 93.91% and 92.25% depending on your casino. The 96.05% version offers the best long-term returns for players. -
What is the maximum win in Squealin’ Riches?
The maximum win in Squealin’ Riches is 13,512x your stake. At the maximum bet of £20, this translates to approximately £270,200, representing one of the higher potential payouts available in the hold-and-win category. -
What is the volatility of Squealin’ Riches slot game?
Squealin’ Riches has high volatility, meaning wins occur less frequently but tend to be larger when they do land. This suits experienced players comfortable with extended dry spells between wins and who have the bankroll to weather them. -
How does the LocknWin feature work in Squealin’ Riches?
The LocknWin feature triggers when 6 or more bonus symbols land on the reels. You then receive 3 respins with those bonus symbols locked in place whilst all other symbols clear. The respins reset back to 3 whenever new bonus symbols land, potentially creating extended sequences. -
What bonus features does Squealin’ Riches offer?
Squealin’ Riches features the LOCKnWIN respin mechanic, a Bonus Wheel that awards cash prizes, free spins, or jackpots, Free Spins (10-30 spins available), and a five-tier Jackpot system (Mini 50x through Epic 5,000x). All features combine to create diverse winning opportunities. -
What are the hit frequency and payline structure of Squealin’ Riches?
Squealin’ Riches has a hit frequency of 27.75%, meaning approximately 1 in 3.6 spins produces a winning combination. The game uses 1,024 ways to win across a 5-reel, 4-row grid instead of traditional fixed paylines, allowing for more varied combinations. -
What is the cost of the Feature Buy option in Squealin’ Riches?
Squealin’ Riches offers Feature Buy options in some jurisdictions: 33.24x your bet for direct access to the Bonus Wheel, or 55.02x your bet to access the Free Spins Wheel directly. (Note: Feature Buy is not available to UK players.) These options allow skipping the base game to go straight to bonus features. -
When was Squealin’ Riches slot released and who developed it?
Squealin’ Riches was released on October 12, 2021, and was developed by Pear Fiction Studios in collaboration with Microgaming. The game combines independent developer innovation with Microgaming’s established platform expertise and player accessibility.
