Pixel Paws: A Retro Delight
Pixels may be small, but collectively, they are mighty. Through pixels, we absorb information, consume content, chat amongst friends, flirt with strangers, and conduct our online lives thanks to their visual-forming abilities. We may be living in an age where more pixels mean better, yet, at the same time, blocky, pixelated images somehow manage to create feelings of nostalgic joy. They certainly do in the online gambling industry. Slots such as Thunderkick’s Flame Busters and Red Tiger’s NFT Megaways, to name but two, were retro, feel-good bonanzas. Another studio joining the blocky graphic fad is AvatarUX with the slot Pixel Paws.
Back in the day, video games didn’t offer the rich graphical escape they do today. However, in saying that, in 10 or 20 years’ time, perhaps what we consider cutting-edge now will be judged as blocky, robotically animated trash. Maybe even further into the future, it will be impossible to tell reality and computer graphics apart. Anyway, you can definitely spot the blocky graphical nature of Pixel Paws, where a collection of jagged animals appear on the reels in a simply backgrounded screen. Hitting the paintbrush icon on the left changes the colours, which, while having zero effect on the way the game runs, is a fun cosmetic touch.
Pixel Paws Gameplay Overview
The base game in Pixel Paws is played on a 5×5 gaming area, utilising 1,024 ways to win and a cascade mechanic. When winning combinations land, the symbols comprising them are removed and replaced by symbols dropping downwards from above. With a stake range of 10 c to $/€100 per spin, players should be aware of a medium volatile math machine and an RTP of 96% at the highest setting – two lower returns have also been created. For those looking to dive deeper into this nostalgic fun, hawkplay provides an excellent platform to experience all the exciting features Pixel Paws has to offer.
Slot Symbols: Low Pays and High Pays
Pixel Paws has its own charm when it comes to symbols. The lower-paying symbols are Tetris-y 10 to A card ranks, while the higher-paying ones include a mouse, fish, bird, dog, and cat. Winning combinations of 5 OAK pay 0.5x to 1x the bet for the lows or 2 to 5 times the bet for the highs. A hamburger acts as the wild symbol, substituting for all regular pay symbols. These symbols contribute to the retro, pixelated charm, making the game even more visually appealing.
Exploring the Hold & Win Feature
Pixel Paws features a Hold & Win bonus game with a special Loaded Reel implanting various rewards on the board in both the base game and the bonus round. The Loaded Reel sits to the left of the main reels, and its top cell is known as the Trigger Zone, which starts empty. Cascades move the rewards and blanks from the bottom to the top of the Loaded Reel. When a reward hawkplay lands in the Trigger Zone, it activates. This feature keeps the gameplay exciting and unpredictable.
Loaded Reel: Expanding Opportunities
In the base game, the Loaded Reel rewards include:
- Trigger Zone Expansion: Expands the Trigger Zone downwards.
- Grid Expansion: Expands all reels up to 3 positions upwards.
- Multiplier: Applies a multiplier to the on-screen win.
- Low Pay Upgrade: Upgrades up to 5 low-pay symbols to higher paying ones.
- Wilds and Colossal Wilds: Replace anything in a winning combination except Coin symbols.
These rewards add depth to the gameplay, ensuring players have plenty of opportunities to boost their winnings, making the game more dynamic. Whether you’re playing on hawkplay or another platform, this feature will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat.
Hold & Win: Coins, Lives, and Multipliers
The bonus round in Pixel Paws is triggered when at least 5 Coins land on the grid. During the round, only Coins and rewards triggered by the Loaded Reel appear. Coin values range from 10 to 100, and Colossal Coin values range from 500 to 5,000. The bonus round also features a life system, where players are awarded 3 lives at the start. A life is consumed hawkplay when no new Coins land on a spin, but lives are replenished to 3 if a new Coin hits. As Coins land, they cascade to the bottom of the grid, giving more chances for new Coins to appear. This cascading effect adds a layer of excitement and anticipation to every spin.
Extra Features: Collect and Multiply
In the bonus game, rewards from the Loaded Reel include:
- Coin and Colossal Coin.
- Coin Upgrade: Visible Coins are upgraded to higher values.
- Extra Lives: Players can receive up to 3 extra lives.
- Collect: A treasure chest symbol collects all current Coins.
- Collect and Multiply: A treasure chest collects all Coins and multiplies them by the multiplier value.
- Grid Expansion & Trigger Zone Expansion: Adds more chances for bigger wins.
These additional features elevate the gameplay and allow for massive potential rewards, especially with the chance to collect and multiply your winnings. For players seeking a thrilling bonus round, hawkplay offers a great space to explore these features.
Bonus Buy: More Ways to Play
If you prefer to skip the regular gameplay and jump straight into the action, Pixel Paws offers several bonus buy options:
- Fully Loaded (5x the bet): Each spin has no blanks on the Loaded Reel.
- Bonus (60x the bet): Starts the feature with 5 Coins on a 5×4 grid.
- Bonus Plus (120x the bet): Starts with 6 Coins on a 5×5 grid.
- Bonus Premium (240x the bet): Starts with 7 Coins on a 5×6 grid.
- Bonus Max (500x the bet): Starts with 8 Coins on a 5×7 grid.
These buy-in options allow players to choose their preferred risk level, giving them more control over their gameplay experience. Whether you’re aiming for maximum thrills or a more balanced approach, hawkplay offers the flexibility to tailor your gaming session.
Why Play Pixel Paws?
Pixel Paws stands out as a fun, nostalgic slot game with a fresh twist. It takes the pixelated, blocky graphics that many players associate with retro games and mixes them with modern mechanics like cascading wins and the Loaded Reel. The Hold & Win feature adds excitement and boosts the potential for big wins. The addition of multiple bonus buy options allows players to jump right into the action. Whether you’re a fan of retro aesthetics or innovative features, Pixel Paws has something to offer. If you’re looking for a new game to try, hawkplay is a great place to explore this unique slot.
