Big Bass Return To The Races Slot Review

Big Bass Return to the Races is Pragmatic Play and Reel Kingdom’s latest entry in the beloved, long-running Big Bass series. With a grid of 5 reels and 3 rows, the setup remains classic, but this time around, it’s dressed in turf-green visuals and racing gear instead of boats and tackle. It’s a strange hybrid of themes - fishing and horse racing - but somehow, it all fits within the Big Bass multiverse.

The game keeps things grounded with a max win of 5,000x, achievable in both regular and Golden Cup Free Spins. While the base game is largely a waiting room for the bonus rounds, the layered approach to features - like wild collections, retriggers, and multiple spin types - ensures there’s more under the surface than first meets the eye.

It’s not a complete overhaul of the formula, but it adds just enough of a twist to feel fresh for returning players who already know the Big Bass rhythm.

With a 5x3 reel layout and 10 fixed paylines, Big Bass Return to the Races offers a traditional grid setup that’s easy to follow, whether you’re a seasoned angler or a slot newbie. What makes the game shine isn't its innovation in structure, but its accessibility. The RTP tops out at 96.07%, which is solid for a high-volatility game, although lower settings of 95.07% and 94.07% may be used depending on the casino.

Speaking of volatility - this game swings hard. It's classified as high volatility, meaning wins can be rare but powerful when they land. On average, wins hit about once every 7 spins, while triggering free spins happens roughly once in every 113 spins. The maximum payout is capped at 5,000x your stake, which is respectable for a game in this category.

You can tailor your risk with a betting range that spans from 0.10 to 375, making it friendly to both casual players and high-rollers. The interface includes intuitive bet controls, Turbo mode for fast-paced play, and Autoplay if you prefer to sit back while the fish bite (or the horses race, in this case). Everything’s been optimized for mobile as well, so spinning on the go feels just as smooth as playing on a desktop.

This game may ride the same track as its Big Bass predecessors, but the bonus features still deliver the goods. The highlight of the experience is the familiar Money Symbol collection system during free spins - now presented with a racetrack twist.

To trigger free spins, you’ll need to land 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols, awarding 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. When only two scatters land, a unique mechanic may kick in, nudging a third scatter into play through a respin or a random overlay. Before free spins begin, you’ll choose from 12 face-down cards to reveal which type of free spins you’ll get: standard or Golden Cup Free Spins.

In regular free spins, horse symbols act as Money symbols, each carrying a value from 2x to 5,000x. When a wild fisherman lands, he collects all visible Money symbol values. These wilds are also collected during the feature. Every fourth wild retriggers the free spins and increases the multiplier:

• 2x multiplier at level 2
• 3x multiplier at level 3
• 10x multiplier at level 4
  
  

You’ll receive +10 free spins at each level, up to a maximum of 40 spins total. After level 4, retriggers stop - but by then, the pace of the action can be downright thrilling.

Random enhancements can also occur. If wilds land without Money symbols, random Money symbols may drop in. If Money symbols land without a wild, a lasso animation might pull a wild onto the screen. Sometimes, a curtain animation will transform symbols into higher-value ones to help boost the round.

Golden Cup Free Spins play on a stripped-down grid where only blanks, Money symbols, and wilds can appear. The structure is otherwise the same: wilds collect all Money symbol values on each spin, and you can still retrigger through wild collection. The twist? With regular symbols removed, there's less clutter - potentially increasing the chance of big-money moments.

Bonus Buy Options

Can’t wait to fish for free spins? Big Bass Return to the Races lets you jump right in with two bonus buy options. With 100x the stake, players can purchase regular free spins or opt for the golden version of the free spins round for 270x. It’s a pricey shortcut, but the higher risk may appeal to players chasing those max wins faster.

What happens when you mash up a fishing game with horse racing? You get Big Bass Return to the Races, a visual oddball that somehow pulls it off. The backdrop is a lush, grassy racetrack, with rich greens and a slightly cartoonish style that keeps the tone light and humorous. It’s undeniably strange - but also oddly charming.

The symbols include binoculars, beer, race boxes, and champagne buckets, all stylized to match the theme. Horses as Money symbols are an amusing touch, and the fisherman still returns for his usual antics, now dressed up for race day. The audio is mostly recycled from earlier Big Bass titles - so don’t expect a brand-new soundtrack - but it gets the job done, with quirky effects and triumphant jingles to accompany big wins.

All in all, the game feels like a reskin of previous titles, particularly Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake, but there’s just enough thematic flair here to stand out.

Big Bass Return to the Races is a curious creation. It doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t have to - it knows its audience. If you’re a fan of the Big Bass formula and don’t mind a few reused assets, you’ll find familiar fun here, especially with the Golden Cup Free Spins, which offer a slightly more focused shot at the game’s 5,000x max win.

The biggest downside? It leans heavily on mechanics we’ve seen many times before. But if you're in the mood for quirky visuals, satisfying collections, and the chance to win big off a well-timed wild, it’s still a ride worth taking.