One of the first things that you will learn about slot machines is there are so many of the darn things themed around ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh’s Fortune slot from IGT is a classic example, with images taken from the times when Cleopatra ruled over the pyramids. Now, there’s a good reason why these slot games are so popular, as developers seem to compete with each other to make their Egyptian-style slots stand out in from the crowd.
Take a look at the Pharaoh’s Fortune slot to see what we mean. It comes with stunning bonus features, such as free games, multipliers, a wild symbol and prizes of up to 10,000 times your line bet. This 5-reel, 15-line slot is only found at land-based casinos, or a few online casinos. That’s not really a problem, as there are literally hundreds of online alternatives and we’ve sifted through the sands to find the best.
We will look at a couple of Egyptian-themed slots that you can play on desktop PCs, iOS and Android mobiles, but for now, let’s head back in time and uncover the ancient mysteries of the Pharaoh’s Fortune slot machine.
This game will suit low to medium-stakes gamblers, as the bet range is from 0.15 per spin to a maximum of 30.00. That should be fine for most players, but if you’re a high roller, then Pharaoh’s Fortune isn’t the game for you. However, the potential to land 10,000x the line bet, or 20,000.00 at the highest stakes, is still pretty appealing.
IGT have made sure that it’s easy to start spinning the reels of Pharaoh’s Fortune, even for complete newbies. Stakes are set using simple plus and minus buttons and the only other control option sets the reels spinning in Auto mode for up to 50 times. Unlike online and mobile slots, where you can choose the volume level, Pharaoh’s Fortune has a pre-set volume that you can’t adjust. Not that we mind, as the fun, catchy Walk Like an Egyptian, from the Bangles is used.
One decision that’s up to you is whether or not to check out the paytable before playing. This reveals the multiples of the amount staked on each payline that you win when 3 or more matching symbols cross a line from left to right. There is also information about the bonus rounds, but each time you trigger a feature, some detailed instructions are shown on the reels anyway. It means you don’t really need to know much about slots to enjoy all that Pharaoh’s Fortune has to offer.
Although Pharaoh’s Fortune has been around for a while, IGT were certainly ahead of the times when it came to the design of this game. Colorful cartoon hieroglyphics, winged Gods, Egyptian royalty and a smiling Pharaoh will all be seen, along with a couple of special bonus symbols. The reels are flanked by statues and topped off with stonework, which gives the impression that all the action is taking place inside a temple.
The game logo is the one that you want to see, as it not only pays that huge 10,000x the line bet when it crosses an entire payline, but it’s also the wild symbol. It will act as others to complete a line, filling in any gaps, or even add value to a run of matching symbols when it’s seen on the reels to the right.
The Pharaoh’s Fortune bonus symbol is another valuable one, as it triggers the main feature when landing anywhere on reels 1, 2, and 3 at once. The number of paylines increases from 15 to 20, and you are shown a wall of 30 stone blocks, which you then start clicking. 22 of these blocks will reveal a number of free spins, 5 of them reveal extra multipliers that will be added to any wins in the feature, and 3 of them start the games once they are clicked on.
With a little luck, you will find lots of free spins and multipliers before uncovering a stone that starts the round. Free games can be retriggered by more bonus symbols appearing, with an upper limit of 999 spins possible. (But unlikely!)
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Pharaoh’s Fortune is a medium-variance slot game with average returns of around 95%. Although the graphics are older in style, they are bright and cheerful, and fit in with the ancient Egyptian theme. We really liked the bonus feature, where the extra paylines make it easier to claim wins and the potential is there for some big multipliers to be paid out during the bonus spins. The IGT range mainly consists of online, or off-line slots, but Pharaoh’s Fortune falls somewhere in the middle. It can be played online in some countries, but not in others, so check out a recommended site from wherever you may be, and if you can find it, it’s a great slot to play.
If you can’t play online, from countries such as the UK, take a look at A While on the Nile, from NextGen. This fun slot game can be played on iPhones, iPads, Android devices and desktops around the world. It has a very similar style to Pharaoh’s Fortune and comes with some thrilling features. The grinning Pharaoh is a wild symbol who can be stacked several high on a reel, and during the main free spins round, extra wilds will appear.
A scarab beetle triggers a quick, but rewarding, prize-picking round. You simply select from a number of beetles to claim guaranteed rewards. There is also an optional Super Bet, which turns the wild symbol into a multiplier of up to 10x, making this character even more valuable. A While on the Nile is a medium volatility, 5-reel, 50-line game that can be played from 0.50 to 125.00 per spin.
There’s no de-Nile that A While on the Nile is a popular game, so visit any of the top online slot sites and play it for yourself.