There’s a real old-school feel to the design in Pixel Samurai which looks and sounds terrific. The blocky graphics could come straight from a classic Commodore 64 computer game from the 1980s. The reels are backed by pagodas, temples and floating clouds. On the 5x5 grid, you’ll see 6 different characters that you’d find in a classical story set in historical China. They too have a real retro feel.
Rather than landing matching symbols in paylines, the goal here is to land them adjacent to each other either vertically or horizontally (but not diagonally). You need to land 5 or more in a cluster to create a winner. After a winner is landed, the successful symbols are blasted off the reels and a new symbol drop takes place. These symbol drops keep on coming as long as a new winning combination is created.
The more matching symbols in the cluster, the bigger the payday on offer. Payouts start at 0.4 times your stake if you land 5 of the woman in green in combination. Land 16 of her and the payout increases to 50 times your stake.
The symbol you’ll really be hoping to see is the mysterious moustachioed man, the Red Samurai, who is comfortably the top payer. Land 5, 6 or 7 of these in a cluster and you’ll receive 50, 500 or 2,000 times your stake. Land 8 or more and you’ll pocket 5,000 times your stake as well as a portion of the jackpot prize.
The progressive jackpot amount you’ll win depends on your stake size – you will win 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% or 100% of the progressive jackpot. The bigger your stake, the more you’ll win – you can only win the full jackpot is playing at £10 per spin.
Pixel Samurai is a very simple game. There aren’t wilds or scatters here let alone any features like free spins or pick me rounds. Despite the lack of bonus features, we still found plenty of action here. The wins and subsequent symbol drops come along regularly.
If you grew up playing simple console games, then this blast from the past should trigger plenty of nostalgia. The limited gameplay means it’s not something we’ll be coming back to again and again but for a simple slice of old school action Pixel Samurai is a little charmer. If you like the look and feel of the game, I highly recommend you try Flame Busters from Thunderkick.