Our rating of Big Bass Bonanza:
Big Bass Bonanza is the original title in Pragmatic Play’s fishing-themed Big Bass online pokie series, which has gone on to become hugely popular with slots fans in NZ. The initial release offers a top prize of 2,100x your bet, along with a generous RTP of 96.71% and a lucrative free spins bonus featuring a progressive multiplier.
Big Bass Bonanza is a 2020 online pokie that provides simple but exciting gameplay. The slot features a 5x3 reel layout with 10 paylines and big range of betting limits from $0.10 up to $250 per spin. In-game bonuses include a four-level free spins round, during which you can boost a progressive multiplier by collecting fisherman wilds. If you’ve played other titles in the Big Bass series, the basic mechanics of the Big Bass Bonanza pokie will likely be familiar to you.
To play Big Bass Bonanza for real money, you first need to join a NZ online casino that hosts the game. Follow the steps below to start spinning:
Get ready to cast your line when you play Big Bass Bonanza, as it has an cartoonish and entertaining fishing theme, like all other titles in the series. The deep blue reels overlook an underwater setting, while the symbols include lots of fishing paraphernalia such as rods, floats and striking green fish. The accompanying soundtrack is light-hearted and lively, and features sound effects that play whenever you land a win.
Big Bass Bonanza includes 12 different symbols that can appear during gameplay, split between 10 standard symbols and two special symbols. The standard symbols are comprised of the low-paying card values (10, J, Q, K and A) and high-paying fishing-themed symbols (fish, box, dragonfly, rod and float). In most cases, you need to get three or more matching symbols on a payline from left to right to win a payout, but the float does award a prize for just two.
The first special symbol is the fish scatter, which triggers up to 20 free spins. The other is the fisherman wild, which substitutes for standard symbols in the base game and can be collected during the free spins round to unlock higher multipliers. The standard fish symbol can also award instant cash prizes during free spins.
| Symbol | 2 symbols | 3 symbols | 4 symbols | 5 symbols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float | 0.5x | 5x | 20x | 200x |
| Rod | - | 3x | 15x | 100x |
| Dragonfly | - | 2x | 10x | 50x |
| Box | - | 2x | 10x | 50x |
| Fish | - | 1x | 5x | 20x |
| A | - | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| K | - | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| Q | - | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| J | - | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| 10 | - | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
Big Bass Bonanza has just one in-game free spins bonus, although it does come with four levels featuring a progressive multiplier.
Free spins are activated when three or more fish scatters appear on the same spin – you get 10 free spins for three, 15 for four, and 20 for five. There are four free spins levels, and the next level is unlocked every time you collect four fisherman wilds. Each new level triggers an additional 10 free spins and boosts the progressive multiplier in play. Level 1 pays out standard amounts, Level 2 has a 2x multiplier, Level 3 has a 3x multiplier, and Level 4 finishes with a 10x multiplier.
Throughout your free spins, the fish symbol can also come with instant cash prizes of up to 2,000x your bet when it appears at the same time as a fisherman wild.
Big Bass Bonanza has a fairly generous 96.71% return to player (RTP) rate, which exceeds the average for online pokies of 96%. However, it’s a medium to high volatility game, meaning wins can be infrequent but are more likely to be sizeable when they do land. Big Bass Bonanza accepts a maximum bet of $250 per spin and has a top payout of 2,100x your wager, meaning the largest possible prize on a single spin is $525,000.
There’s no magic formula you can use to guarantee winning spins when you play Big Bass Bonanza, but there are tips you can follow to keep your time on the reels enjoyable and help you manage your bankroll:
Big Bass Bonanza has since gone on to spawn numerous other titles in the Big Bass series. Here are some of our favourites:
Fans of playing pokies on the move will be pleased to hear that Big Bass Bonanza is available to play at NZ mobile casinos. The slot’s use of HTML5 technology means it runs smoothly with colourful graphics and quick loading times on all smartphone and tablet devices and screen sizes. To play Big Bass Bonanza on mobile, load the casino’s mobile site or download its iPhone or Android app if it offers one to players.
Pragmatic Play hit a magic formula with Big Bass Bonanza, as evidenced by how popular the whole series has become at NZ online casinos. The gameplay is enjoyably simple, the free spins bonus offers added excitement and the fishing theme is immersive and well-designed. While players on a budget may be frustrated by the medium to high volatility, that doesn’t take away from the game’s big win potential.
Laura is a writer who focuses on both the iGaming and land-based gambling sectors. With years of experience covering the New Zealand market, she’s always seeking the latest updates and insights into the gambling world. A keen backgammon player, Laura particularly enjoys writing about the newest pokie releases and legislation changes.
If you enjoy playing Big Bass Bonanza, make sure to check out our reviews of other popular real money pokies available at top casinos in New Zealand:
