By Playn GO
RTP 96.93%
Min bet $0.10
Max bet $100
Max Win bet x 15000
Popularity Medium
Min bet $0.10
Max bet $100
Max Win bet x 15000
Gamble Feature Bonus game or special game, Multiplier, Freespins, Walking wilds, Wilds
Layout 5x4
Devices Desktop, Mobile
Configurable Winlines No
Volatility High
Progressive Jackpot No
Introduction
Play’n Go has really managed to encapsulate the thrill of the great British dog races with Wildhound Derby. The graphics may seem a little rough around the edges but don’t let that put you off. This game packs a serious punch, not just with a cleverly designed bonus feature that will get the blood pumping, but a max exposure of $1,500,000!
Set in the stadium of a greyhound racing track – Wildhound Derby is based on a sport whose roots are buried deep in British culture. From the moment the game is opened, players are transported to the stands of a classic greyhound stadium at night, overlooking the circular track. For anyone who’s been to the dogs, you’ll realise Play’n Go has done a pretty good job of setting the scene.
I was a little disappointed in the somewhat dated graphic when I opened the game. Although crisp and clear, for a slot that was released in 2020 it’s a pretty average aesthetic if I’m honest. There is some animation in the background of camera flashes and flags blowing in the wind that helps set the scene. However, the reels look like they are picked up off a game 10+ years older.
I like the soundtrack for Wildhound Derby. It does a great job of getting you in the mood with its upbeat feel-good rhythm. That said, after a while, all the elements that make the soundtrack good actually started to annoy me. I had to swiftly mute the game. Something else I liked about the sonic of this game was the crowd cheer every time I got a win, I could really feel the support!
The symbols in this game are all centred around what one might see down at the dogs. Additionally, Wildhound Derby boasts an impressive 5 wild symbols which I outline below.
The remaining symbols that are found in the game include rolls of cash, bet slips, betting guides, a red ribbon and playing card symbols (A,K,Q,J). It’s worth noting that the rolls of cash carry the same payout as the winner’s cup wild – check it out in the Bets and Payouts section.
Wildhound Derby’s Free Spins Feature
The jewel in the crown of this game is definitely the free spins feature. To trigger it, players must land all four greyhound wilds on each row in reel 5. The greyhound wilds only appear on this reel so they aren’t as infrequent as you might expect.
When the bonus round is triggered players are given the option to pick one of the four greyhounds to back in the race. Although It offers no indication to the actual winner, I do like how the game highlights which dogs previously won. This adds to the anticipation of the bonus round and really gets you in the mood.
After selecting your dog (I chose Braveheart), the reels reappear on top a racetrack background that shows a golden hare wild on the left of the reels. As the free spins begin, the golden hare appears at random on one of the four rows. Each time the golden hare appears, the dog on the same row will move one reel to the left until one of them wins the race.
I think this feature is brilliant and It definitely had me on the edge of my seat! There’s effectively no set number of free spins in this feature either. As the golden hare appears randomly, the race could be over in 5 spins or 20.
Although my dog didn’t win the race I still walked away with an impressive 292 coins! However, win the race and you’ll be given a spin of the winner’s wheel where your winning can be multiplied up to 15x.
A winning combination is made by landing a minimum of three symbols/wilds on any of the 30 paylines. Interestingly, the four greyhound wilds do not offer a particularly high multiplier at 12x for 4. However, seeing as this would trigger the bonus round I think 12x multiplier isn’t half bad. See below for the list of top payouts.
Wildhound Derby is a high volatility slot with an RTP of 96.93%. I definitely noticed this volatility when playing, as it took quite a few spins of little-to-no wins before I triggered the bonus feature.
There’s a good range of bets players can place on Wildhound Derby, with a min spin value of $0.10 to a max spin of $100. What’s really impressive about this game though is the potential max win of $1,500,000! Achievable, provided you have the funds to play with a max bet, trigger the bonus feature, choose a dog that wins the race AND hit the max multiplier on the Winners Wheel. Either way, this is one of the biggest max wins I have ever seen on a slot that doesn’t have a jackpot.
Bonus type: No Deposit, Low Wagering, Free Play, Sign Up, Free Money, Welcome Bonus, Registration
Min Deposit: No Deposit
Bonus type: Coupon, Code, Welcome Bonus, Registration, Sign Up, Deposit Bonus, First Deposit Bonus
Min Deposit: $10
Wagering: 60x
If you’re a fan of sport-themed slots then this game is without a doubt worth some time. I’ve not come across a greyhound racing themed slot before, so it definitely gets points for originality. Additionally, the free spins bonus feature is extremely exciting as far as bonus rounds go – not to mention the wins that can be had.
However, the shortfalls come in the form of pretty average graphics and the fact there isn’t much going for it apart from the bonus feature. The high volatility means it may take a while to trigger the bonus feature and this can get a bit boring. If you have the patience and the funds then the wait is definitely worthwhile.
