Taco Brothers Derailed Slot Review
ELK Studios have built a recognisable portfolio over the years, consistently delivering slots that balance mechanics with entertainment value. Taco Brothers Derailed, released in June 2022, marks the return of Paso, Pepe, and Pico from the 2015 original. Rather than a simple reskin, this sequel represents a complete mechanical overhaul, expanding from the original’s 5×3 grid to a 6-reel, 4-row configuration with 466 connecting paylines.
The game operates at Medium-High volatility (7/10) with an RTP of 95%, positioning it as a high-variance title that requires patient bankroll management. Maximum win potential reaches 10,000x stake, a substantial increase from the original’s 1,500x cap. Playable from £0.20 to £100 per spin, the betting range accommodates both cautious players and high-stakes enthusiasts. The Mexican adventure theme returns with enhanced visuals, set against the backdrop of 1881 gold rush-era Santa Maria village.
Base Game & Features
Taco Brothers Derailed operates on a 6-reel, 4-row grid with 466 connecting paylines, requiring at least 3 matching symbols from left to right to form a win. The hit frequency sits at 23.4%, delivering a winning combination approximately every 4 spins, though the Medium-High volatility means payouts vary significantly.
The symbol hierarchy places the three Taco Brothers at the top. Paso, Pepe, and Pico deliver the highest standard payouts, whilst mid-value symbols include the Safe, Lantern, Skull, Whistle, and Maracas. These symbols reflect the gold heist narrative, with each carrying thematic weight rather than serving as generic filler.
Walking Wilds
The core base game mechanic revolves around Walking Wilds. Any Taco Brother symbol can land as a Walking Wild on reel 6, triggering a respin sequence. These wilds move one position left per respin, turning corresponding character symbols into wilds as they traverse the reels. Multiple Walking Wilds can appear simultaneously, each maintaining independent movement and triggering individual respins.
This mechanic adds significant engagement to standard spins, though activation frequency varies due to the game’s volatility. When multiple brothers land on reel 6 during the same spin, the respin chain extends considerably, with each wild progressing leftward until falling off reel 1.
Walking Multiplier Wilds
A second wild variant appears exclusively on the top row. Walking Multiplier Wilds carry a 5x multiplier that applies to all regular wilds visible on screen. Like standard Walking Wilds, these multiplier symbols move leftward with each respin, maintaining the multiplier effect throughout their journey.
The multiplier applies universally, meaning all Walking Wild Taco Brothers in view receive the same 5x boost to their winning contributions. When multiple Walking Multiplier Wilds land simultaneously, their values combine, creating potential for substantial base game wins exceeding 30x on the displayed multiplier. This mechanic keeps base game engagement high, adding volatility to standard spins and creating anticipation for multiplier appearances.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Taco Brothers Derailed features two distinct bonus rounds triggered by scatter symbols appearing on reels 2 through 5. These scatters remain sticky during Walking Wild respins, increasing the likelihood of accumulating enough to trigger bonus modes during extended respin sequences.
Taco Train Heist (Regular Bonus)
Landing 3 scatter symbols triggers the Taco Train Heist, the primary bonus round. All three Walking Wild Taco Brothers are guaranteed to appear, landing sequentially on reel 6 with Pico (Mr Boom-Boom) on the bottom row, Pepe in the middle, and Paso on the top row. Each brother carries a random multiplier that changes with every leftward step, creating fluctuating win potential throughout the bonus.
Two special characters interact with the Walking Wilds during this mode. Captain Diaz lands exclusively on reel 1, imprisoning the Walking Wild Taco Brother closest to that reel by converting it into a sticky blocker. This locked brother no longer moves or contributes to wins, effectively reducing active wilds on the board. Señorita appears on reel 6, countering Captain Diaz by unlocking imprisoned brothers or sending the brother closest to reel 1 back to reel 6 for another pass across the reels.
The dynamic between these characters creates tension throughout the bonus. Captain Diaz can lock multiple brothers, potentially ending the round prematurely if all three become imprisoned. Señorita provides relief by freeing locked brothers or extending the bonus by repositioning brothers back to reel 6. The round concludes when all brothers either walk off reel 1 or become permanently locked by Captain Diaz.
Taco Smash N’ Grab (Super Bonus)
Collecting 4 scatter symbols triggers the Taco Smash N’ Grab Super Bonus, a premium version with enhanced mechanics. All three Walking Wild Taco Brothers land on reel 6 simultaneously alongside a stacked Walking Multiplier Wild, creating immediate high multiplier potential. Unlike the regular bonus, all brothers move in perfect synchronisation, stepping left together with each respin.
Captain Diaz is disabled during the Super Bonus, removing the threat of imprisoned brothers. This allows uninterrupted leftward progression, though Señorita can still appear to pull brothers back to reel 6 for additional passes. The synchronised movement combined with stacked multipliers creates the game’s highest win potential, regularly exceeding 30x total multipliers across all visible brothers.
X-iter Bonus Buy
ELK Studios’ signature X-iter feature provides five bonus buy options at escalating costs:
- Bonus Hunt (2x bet): Doubles the chance of triggering the bonus naturally on the next spin
- Walking Wild Taco Brother (10x bet): Guarantees one Walking Wild on the next spin
- Walking Multiplier Wild (25x bet): Guarantees one Walking Multiplier Wild on the next spin
- Bonus (100x bet): Direct entry to Taco Train Heist bonus round
- Super Bonus (500x bet): Direct entry to Taco Smash N’ Grab super bonus
The tiered system accommodates different player preferences and bankroll sizes. The 2x Bonus Hunt option suits those seeking slightly increased bonus frequency without major stake increases, whilst the 500x Super Bonus purchase appeals to high-volatility players chasing maximum win potential. Unlike some previous ELK titles, the Super Bonus isn’t locked exclusively behind the feature buy, requiring just one additional scatter during natural play.
Our Honest Verdict
Rating: 8/10
Taco Brothers Derailed delivers a significant mechanical upgrade over the 2015 original, expanding from 243 ways to win to 466 paylines whilst boosting maximum win potential from 1,500x to 10,000x. The Walking Wild and Walking Multiplier systems provide consistent base game engagement, addressing the primary weakness of simpler ELK titles where action concentrates heavily in bonus rounds.
The dual bonus structure works well. The Taco Train Heist provides accessible excitement with the Captain Diaz/Señorita dynamic creating genuine tension, whilst the Taco Smash N’ Grab Super Bonus delivers premium win potential for those willing to accumulate four scatters. The synchronised movement and disabled Captain Diaz in the super bonus creates a noticeably different experience from the standard round, justifying the additional scatter requirement.
However, the 95% RTP sits below industry average, requiring larger individual wins to compensate for the house edge. Paired with 7/10 volatility, this creates extended dry spells between significant payouts. Players chasing consistent smaller wins should look elsewhere; this is built for those willing to weather variance for explosive potential. Base game action would feel considerably slower without the Walking Wild mechanics, highlighting how central these features are to sustained engagement.
Experienced players familiar with ELK Studios’ design philosophy will appreciate the mechanical complexity and character-driven narrative. Casual players may find the bonus interactions (Captain Diaz locking, Señorita unlocking) confusing initially, though the visual clarity helps. The Mexican theme is well-executed without relying on stereotypes, using the gold heist narrative to tie mechanics together coherently.
Taco Brothers Derailed occupies a solid position in ELK’s catalogue, demonstrating the studio’s evolution since 2015. It doesn’t quite reach the mechanical innovation of their Nitropolis series or match the broader appeal of their Cygnus titles, but it represents a worthwhile sequel that honours the original whilst introducing meaningful improvements. For those who enjoyed the first Taco Brothers, this is a clear upgrade. For newcomers, it’s a feature-rich, high-volatility option with genuine 10,000x potential, provided you can handle the below-average RTP and variance combination.
Taco Brothers Derailed FAQs
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What is the RTP of Taco Brothers Derailed?
Taco Brothers Derailed operates at 95% RTP, which is below the industry average of 96%. This lower RTP is balanced by the game’s 10,000x maximum win potential and Medium-High volatility, meaning wins need to be larger to compensate for the house edge. -
What is the maximum win on Taco Brothers Derailed?
The maximum theoretical win is 10,000x your stake. This represents a substantial increase from the original 2015 Taco Brothers slot, which capped at 1,500x. The highest wins occur during the Taco Smash N’ Grab Super Bonus when multiple Walking Multiplier Wilds combine with all three brothers moving in sync. -
Does Taco Brothers Derailed have free spins?
Yes. The game features two bonus modes triggered by scatter symbols on reels 2-5. Landing 3 scatters triggers the Taco Train Heist bonus with all three Walking Wild brothers guaranteed, whilst 4 scatters activates the Taco Smash N’ Grab Super Bonus with synchronised brother movement and disabled Captain Diaz. -
Can I play Taco Brothers Derailed on mobile?
Yes. Taco Brothers Derailed is fully optimised for mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. The game runs on HTML5 technology, ensuring compatibility across iOS and Android platforms without requiring downloads. All features, including the X-iter bonus buy system, function identically on mobile and desktop. -
Does Taco Brothers Derailed have a bonus buy feature?
Yes. The X-iter system offers five bonus buy options ranging from 2x to 500x your bet. Options include Bonus Hunt (2x) for doubled trigger chance, guaranteed Walking Wilds (10x) or Multiplier Wilds (25x), direct Taco Train Heist entry (100x), or Super Bonus access (500x). This tiered approach accommodates different budgets and volatility preferences. -
How volatile is Taco Brothers Derailed?
The game sits at Medium-High volatility, rated 7 out of 10. This means wins occur with moderate frequency (23.4% hit rate, roughly every 4 spins) but payout sizes vary significantly. Combined with 95% RTP, expect extended periods between substantial wins, making this better suited to experienced players with disciplined bankroll management rather than those seeking consistent smaller payouts. -
What are Walking Wilds in Taco Brothers Derailed?
Walking Wilds are the core mechanic where Taco Brother symbols (Paso, Pepe, Pico) land as wilds on reel 6 and move one position left per respin. Each step triggers a new spin whilst the wild remains active, turning corresponding character symbols into additional wilds. Multiple Walking Wilds can appear simultaneously, each with independent movement patterns. -
How is Taco Brothers Derailed different from the original?
Derailed is a complete overhaul rather than a simple update. Key differences include expanded reels (6×4 vs original 5×3), increased paylines (466 vs 243 ways), dramatically higher max win (10,000x vs 1,500x), and elevated volatility (7/10 vs 6/10). The Walking Wild mechanics are more complex, with added Walking Multiplier Wilds and dual bonus modes replacing the simpler free spins structure.
