Emoticoins is a modern mobile-first slot by Microgaming, released in August 2017, and it features excellent payout and simple yet effective game mechanics based on Wilds and Sticky Wilds.

You can win up to $92,000 in Emoticoins when playing the maximum bet.

Emoticoins introduction, including RTP and variance

Microgaming released Emoticoins around the same time that Netent released their strange but wonderful Emoji Planet slot. Just a coincidence? CasinoWizard thinks not.

Microgaming often releases slots that are similar in theme to big competitors’ releases, just to steal a bit of thunder.

Emoticoins has a theoretical return to player (RTP) of 96.50%, which is plenty, and it makes this game worth playing.

The free spins game is gratifying, and there’s also the Wild Blast feature that can produce a nice win during the base game.

The game has 30 paylines, and the variance is medium.

Gameplay and paytable

The game has five low-paying card symbols and five emoticons that all pay much better, and are animated when forming a winning payline. Of course, it’s the card symbols that dominate the reel set, and the emoticons will be responsible for all big wins.

The paytable is a bit unbalanced, and it offers a chance of a huge win if you land that five-of-a-kind. Wilds and Scatters are also paying symbols, and the Scatter is the best-paying symbol in the game and, as a result of that, also the rarest.

Bonus Features: free spins and extra wilds

The Wild Blast feature can trigger randomly anytime during the base game, and it will turn up to 5 positions on your reels Wild. A win is guaranteed with this feature, and it will most likely be a nice win.

This Wild Blast feature adds a lot to the gameplay as it can surprise you anytime and give you a big win. Wild Blast and free spins can’t be triggered simultaneously.

Three or more LOL Scatter symbols trigger the free spins game, and you’ll get 10 free spins regardless of the number of Scatters.

The free spins game includes Wild Stickers, which is a feature that puts Sticky Wilds on your reels. One symbol position will turn Wild on the first spin, and on every subsequent spin, another symbol will turn Wild.

The Wilds are sticky so they’ll remain in place for the duration of the free spins round, which means you’ll end up with 10 Wilds on a 15-symbol reel set on your last spin.

CasinoWizard’s verdict: 3 out of 5 stars

Emoticoins is a cute and straightforward slot game that can really pay, and you can get there in more than one way.

The two bonus features and the rich paytable make this game an instant success, even if the theme is a bit strange since modern things such as emoticons and mobile-first design are mixed with card symbols and traditional classic slot paylines.

In any case, this game works and is not only a good title to try out if you’re tired of your usual slot games, but Emoticons can also become a title you’ll be returning to.

A step in the right direction for Microgaming.

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