Manufacturer: Aristocrat Technologies
Platform: GEN7
Format: Five-reel, multi-game, multi-line video slot
Denomination: .05, .10, .25 (multi-denomination)
Max Bet: 50, 100, 200
Top Award: Progressive; $200 reset
Hit Frequency: Approximately 50%

This is one of Aristocrat’s new multi-game units, with two games loaded into the sleek Viridian cabinet. It also is available in the manufacturer’s new Crown Slant cabinet.

The two games, “Golden Shield” and “Jaguar King,” are in Aristocrat’s Double Standalone Progressive series. Each game is available in five-line, 10-line or 25-line configuration. Both game programs are very volatile. Both have free-spin bonuses—Golden Shield awards 20 free spins; Jaguar King, 15—with similar base game features. The frequency of the free-spin feature is higher on the Jaguar King game.

The progressive jackpot feature is the same for both games. There are two progressive prizes, a “Minor” that resets at $20, and a “Major” that resets at $200. According to the manufacturer, the average Minor jackpot is $120, and the average Major jackpot is $1,200.

Three or more gold “Ace” symbols on an active payline trigger one of the progressives. Three Ace symbols return a fixed prize of $20. Four symbols win the Minor jackpot; five symbols win the Major.

In addition to a choice of games, Jackpot Royale is a multi-denomination machine. Each of the two games is offered in nickel, dime and 25-cent denominations—itself a unique feature, since these games are both very volatile.

One of the strongest features of this slot is the cabinet—Aristocrat’s Viridian cabinet makes for an elegant presentation, with two LCD monitors comprising the entire face of the game, which makes it easy for the operator to switch out games when more are available from the manufacturer. Viridian also will be Aristocrat’s cabinet of the future for server-based gaming.

By Frank Legato

Frank Legato is editor of Casino Connection and also editor of Global Gaming Business magazine. He has been writing on gaming topics since 1984, when he launched and served as editor of Casino Gaming magazine. Legato, a nationally recognized expert on slot machines, has served as editor and reporter for a variety of gaming publications, including Public Gaming, IGWB, Casino Journal, Casino Player, Strictly Slots and Atlantic City Insider. He has an B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in communications from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of the recently published book on gaming, How To Win Millions Playing Slot Machines... Or Lose Trying.