Manufacturer: WMS Gaming
Platform: CPUNXT2
Format: Five-reel, 25-line or 40-line video slot
Denomination: .01, .05
Max Bet: 200, 480
Top Award: Progressive, $500,000 reset; stand-alone, $12,000
Hit Frequency: 25-line, 43.91%; 40-line, 49.73%
Theoretical Hold: Progressive, 13.63%—13.85%; stand-alone, 4%—14%
WMS is set to capitalize once again on the sustained popularity of its video slot based on the classic film The Wizard of Oz with this, the second “Wizard” game to be offered in the manufacturer’s “Sensory Immersion” format, with high-definition video and Bose surround-sound speakers embedded in a vibrating chair to take players inside the classic movie.
The surround-sound format is exploited through a lineup of four bonus events in addition to special features in a primary five- reel video slot in 25-line or 40-line configuration. The game is available in a wide-area progressive version with a top jackpot resetting at $500,000, or in a stand-alone version with a top jackpot of $12,000.
During the primary game, at random points after a spin, Dorothy’s ruby slippers appear and click together to transform from one to all five reels into wild reels, sometimes with a multiplier of up to 10X added.
Each reel has different bonus symbols identified as characters from the film-Dorothy on the first reel; Scarecrow on the second; Tin Man on the third; Cowardly Lion on the fourth; and one of three symbols on the fifth-Wicked Witch, the Wizard, or the Crystal Ball. Combinations of these symbols trigger any of four bonus events. There are 45 different ways to trigger a bonus. The bonus events:
“Bonus Respins” places a bonus character on each of the first four reels and a bonus symbol on the fifth re-spins the reels to collect more characters. “Find the Broom” has the player selecting from broom symbols to find the “Wicked Witch’s Treasure.” “Emerald City Free Spin Bonus” awards free games with the triggering characters enabling different features such as wild symbols, wild reels, multipliers or extra spins.
The “Crystal Ball Bonus” lights up the top box with the famous crystal ball to reveal a credit award.
