Wanted Dead or a Wild Slot Review
Hacksaw Gaming entered the Wild West with a distinctive take on the genre when they released Wanted Dead or a Wild in 2021. Rather than the traditional saloon aesthetics that dominate the market, this game adopts a grittier, darker atmosphere with a focus on outlaws and gunslinger drama. The standout draw is the proprietary DuelReels mechanic, a first-to-market innovation where VS symbols expand to cover entire reels before two outlaws duel, with the winner’s multiplier applied to the entire reel. This positions Wanted Dead or a Wild as a feature-driven high volatility release aimed at experienced players seeking mechanically complex gameplay and substantial win potential.
Base Game & Features
The game operates on a 5×5 grid with 15 fixed paylines, creating a substantial play area for symbol combinations. The reel structure gives this release more breathing room than traditional 5×3 setups, allowing for more complex feature interactions. Where Wanted Dead or a Wild distinguishes itself is through the DuelReels mechanic, which triggers when VS symbols land. These symbols expand to cover an entire reel, and two Outlaws appear on that reel with multiplier values ranging from 2x to 100x. The multipliers engage in a duel, and the winner’s value gets applied to all winning combinations passing through that reel. When multiple wild reels share winning combinations, their multiplier values are totalled and multiplied by the payline wins, creating the potential for substantial base game payouts.
The base game experience balances mechanical depth with volatility periods. The high 4 out of 5 volatility rating means that between feature triggers, the game can feel reserved. However, the VS symbol mechanic provides regular engagement points even during dry spells, keeping the base game from feeling entirely dormant. Wins are less frequent than medium volatility games, but when they do land, the multiplier potential adds meaningful value. This design suits players who appreciate strategic complexity and can tolerate extended dry periods in exchange for explosive bonus round potential.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Wanted Dead or a Wild features three distinct free spins modes, each with unique mechanics and volatility profiles that can be triggered naturally or purchased directly via bonus buy:
The Great Train Robbery
Triggered by 3 or more Train Scatter symbols, this feature awards 10 free spins with all wild symbols becoming sticky for the duration of the feature. Sticky wilds remain on the reels throughout all 10 spins, allowing them to participate in multiple winning combinations. This mechanic creates consistent win opportunities and provides the most stable of the three bonus modes. The Great Train Robbery represents a medium volatility option within the bonus feature suite.
Duel at Dawn
Triggered by 3 Duel Scatter symbols, Duel at Dawn delivers 10 free spins with a critical difference: VS symbol frequency increases substantially. This feature emphasizes the DuelReels mechanic at its most potent, creating opportunities for the highest multipliers (up to 100x) to land during spins. Duel at Dawn represents the very high volatility option within the bonus suite, with win frequency lower than Great Train Robbery but significantly higher ceiling potential. This mode is where the game’s 12,500x maximum win becomes genuinely achievable, particularly when multiple wild reels and high multipliers align.
Dead Man’s Hand
Triggered by 3 or more Dead Scatter symbols, this is a 2-part respin feature named after Wild Bill Hickok’s famous poker hand combination. The feature awards 3 respins initially, with reels filled with wild symbols, multipliers, and skeleton cards. Landing additional wilds or multipliers during respins resets the counter back to 3, allowing the feature to continue accumulating rewards. Throughout this collection phase, the game tracks the total number of wilds collected and the highest multiplier value reached. Once respins exhaust (when 3 spins pass with no new symbols), the feature enters its Showdown phase, where all collected wilds return to the reels for a final win calculation using the collected multiplier value. This mechanic can accumulate up to 20 wilds with a multiplier up to 31x, creating a potential win of 620x from the feature alone. Dead Man’s Hand occupies the high volatility space with explosive potential.
Bonus Buy Options
Players can purchase entry into any of the three bonus modes directly, with costs reflecting each feature’s volatility profile:
- Great Train Robbery: 80x stake (medium volatility entry point)
- Duel at Dawn: 200x stake (very high volatility premium)
- Dead Man’s Hand: 400x stake (highest volatility, highest cost)
Each bonus feature carries its own RTP when purchased directly, allowing players to tailor their risk exposure. This is particularly relevant for Duel at Dawn at 200x stake—while expensive, the feature’s very high volatility and DuelReels multiplier potential justify the premium for players specifically targeting explosive wins. Caution is warranted here: at 200x stake with very high volatility, multiple bonus buy purchases can deplete a session budget quickly with extended dry spells.
Our Honest Verdict
Wanted Dead or a Wild represents a mechanically ambitious release from Hacksaw Gaming that successfully differentiates itself through the DuelReels innovation. The game’s three distinct bonus modes deliver genuine variety in risk/reward profiles, and the 96.38% RTP with high volatility creates a solid foundation for experienced players.
Strengths: The DuelReels mechanic is genuinely innovative and visually striking—watching reels expand and multipliers compete creates engaging moments. The three bonus modes are truly distinct in their mechanics and volatility, offering players meaningful choice about their risk profile. The 12,500x maximum win is substantial and genuinely achievable within bonus features, particularly Duel at Dawn. With a grittier visual aesthetic than typical Western slots, the design stands apart from the saturated saloon-themed catalogue. The sticky wilds in Great Train Robbery provide consistent win opportunities, while the collection mechanic in Dead Man’s Hand creates extended tension and engagement.
Limitations: The high 4 out of 5 volatility means the base game experiences extended dry spells between VS symbol triggers. Between features, the game can feel reserved for stretches, which won’t suit players seeking consistent base game wins. The Duel at Dawn bonus buy at 200x stake is expensive, and combined with the feature’s very high volatility, extended bonus buy attempts can deplete bankrolls rapidly. While the visual aesthetic is striking, the darker tone and complexity may not appeal to players seeking lighter, simpler gameplay. The bonus feature inconsistency noted by some players suggests the volatility performance occasionally varies beyond the stated 4/5 rating.
Overall Rating: 4/5
This release will appeal most to high-stakes players and experienced gamblers who appreciate mechanically complex gameplay and can navigate extended volatile periods. The innovative DuelReels mechanic, coupled with three genuinely distinct bonus modes and substantial win potential, creates a memorable experience. However, players seeking consistent base game action, casual gameplay, or lower-volatility experiences should look elsewhere. Wanted Dead or a Wild delivers mechanically, but demands patience and bankroll discipline. For players comfortable with the risk profile, it’s a genuinely interesting addition to Hacksaw Gaming’s catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Wanted Dead or a Wild?
The primary RTP is 96.38%, with additional market-specific options at 94.55%, 92.33%, and 88.42%. Individual bonus features carry their own RTPs: Great Train Robbery 96.27%, Duel at Dawn 96.33%, and Dead Man’s Hand 96.43%. This comprehensive RTP structure allows players and operators flexibility in configuring the game’s volatility profile. -
What is the maximum win on Wanted Dead or a Wild?
Maximum win is 12,500x the bet, primarily achievable during bonus rounds—especially within the Duel at Dawn feature where the increased VS symbol frequency and higher volatility create the best conditions for combining multiple high multipliers. -
Does Wanted Dead or a Wild have free spins?
Yes, the game features three distinct free spins modes: Great Train Robbery (10 spins with sticky wilds), Duel at Dawn (10 spins with increased VS symbol frequency), and Dead Man’s Hand (a 2-part respin collection feature). All three can be triggered naturally through scatter combinations or purchased directly via bonus buy options. -
What is the volatility of Wanted Dead or a Wild?
The game rates as High volatility at 4 out of 5, meaning wins are less frequent but generally larger when they land. This volatility profile creates extended dry spells during base gameplay, making the game suitable for experienced players with adequate bankrolls who can weather periods without wins while pursuing bonus features and high multiplier potential. -
What is the DuelReels mechanic?
DuelReels is Hacksaw Gaming’s proprietary innovation debuting in this game. When VS symbols land, they expand to cover an entire reel. Two Outlaws then appear with random multipliers (2x–100x) and engage in a duel. The winning outlaw’s multiplier is applied to all winning combinations passing through that reel. When multiple wild reels participate in the same win, their multiplier values are combined and applied to the final payout. -
What is the bonus buy cost?
Three options are available: Great Train Robbery costs 80x bet (medium volatility entry), Duel at Dawn costs 200x bet (very high volatility premium), and Dead Man’s Hand costs 400x bet (highest volatility, maximum cost). Each feature carries different volatility and RTP values, allowing players to select their preferred risk/reward profile. -
Can I play on mobile?
Yes, Wanted Dead or a Wild is optimised for mobile play through HTML5 technology, making it accessible on smartphones and tablets at online casinos that feature the game. The game is available in both demo and real money modes where offered. -
How do the three bonus modes differ?
Great Train Robbery emphasises sticky wilds providing consistent win opportunities. Duel at Dawn amplifies the DuelReels mechanic with increased VS symbol frequency and the potential for multipliers reaching 100x—the most volatile option. Dead Man’s Hand uses a collection and respin mechanic where landing wilds and multipliers resets the respin counter, allowing accumulation of up to 20 wilds with multipliers up to 31x before a final Showdown calculation.
