The London-based gaming giant iSoftBet asks a strange question in The Dalai Panda: what if a spiritual leader revered by millions were revealed to be a panda bear?
An ursine sage is the answer. This slot features two separate sets of 3x3 reels managed by a benevolent panda, with up to 729 ways to win in bonus play.
Theme
The serenity of this meditating, floating (!) panda is understandable, as this slot is set amidst breathtaking natural beauty. A massive expanse of jungle and sky looms behind the reels, and soothing music of flutes and harps will make gaming bliss seem nearer from the get-go.
Gaming symbols include a veritable disco menagerie of animals in bright rainbow tones: there are long-tailed peacocks, monkeys, turtles, birds, and goldfish, as well as the playing card values ace through jack. The yin and yang symbol acts as scatter, while bamboo, the favorite food of pandas, acts as wild.
Betting Options and Functions
The strong experience of the iSoftBet design team is evident in this slot’s design, as all elements of gaming are well attended-to. There are a 27 ways to win on each of the two separate reels, with 729 ways to win when the two combine. Wagers are made on a fixed line bet of 30, with coin value adjustable from 0.01–1.00 for an overall per-spin betting range of 0.30–30.00 times the betting currency.
Autoplay is available for as many as 1000 spins at a time, with stop loss limits available. Turbo mode can be engaged, should players wish for a quicker game tempo. Game rules, paytable information, and player settings are available on separate screens. The theoretical RTP is above-average at 95.81%.
Features
This slot has a unique configuration: instead of one large set of reels, there are two smaller, 3x3 reels in base play. Each has 27 ways to win; the left-hand reels pay from left to right, while the right-hand reels pay from right to left. If larger wins are available, the Dalai Panda may draw the two reels together into one: in this case, there are an astonishing 729 ways to win.
Another unique element to this slot is its Free Spins Bank. When the free spin feature is triggered, the quantity of free spins awarded will match the total in the Free Spins Bank. This count begins at five, and increases by one any time a win is awarded on both sets of reels. After the bonus feature, the counter resets to five. Players should be wary: changing the coin value will forfeit the contents of the bank.
Free Games are triggered by the appearance of three or more scatter symbols on the reels. Players are awarded the number of spins in the Bank. During the feature, the two reels combine, paying from left to right only with 729 ways to win. The Dalai Panda may add, at his holiness’ own discretion, additional wilds or win multipliers to the reels.
Finally, bonus symbols remain on the reels during bonus play. These award extra free spins to extend the feature: six bonus symbols add a whopping 50 extra freebies!
Our Take
From its unique gaming structure and winning theme to its fresh take on bonus play, The Dalai Panda is an excellent title that is likely to lead players to the promised land. This is a big success for iSoftBet.
Players who enjoy this title would do well to explore Bell Hop, a worldlier slot with a hotel theme from the same designer.
Video Slot game data and features
- 5Reels
- 27Pay lines
- $1,000.00Max cash jackpot
- 95.81Payout Percent
- YesWild Symbol
- YesMultiplier
- $0.3 - $30Betting Range
- 0.01 - 1.0Coin bet range
- 1Coins per line
- NoProgressive
- 1000Max coins jackpot
- 27Max coins
- NoScatter Symbol
- YesFree spins available
- YesBonus Game
- NoBuy feature
- Animals , Asian Game theme
- Mid-high Volatility
