In today’s Jackpot Cherries slot review, we are heading so far back into classic slots that when we add in the modern element, we are going to get some serious whiplash! Created as a love letter to the old school fruit machines, but presented in a way that modern audiences can enjoy, the Jackpot Cherries slot from Realistic Games certainly stands out from the slew of modern feature-packed slot games. In today’s review, we will take a closer look at the game to see how its classic elements shape up to the wants of the modern slot player.
The Jackpot Cherries slot machine is incredibly simple and therefore very beginner-friendly. With a classic 3x3 reel set and only one payline to be mindful of, keeping track of gameplay could not be easier. As there is only one payline, there is only one way that winning combinations can be formed, requiring 3 matching symbols.
Setting up the slot is incredibly easy; the only thing you need to change before setting off the reels is the total bet for the spin. If you press the menu button in the bottom right part of the screen, the game will show you a new screen with 12 betting choices. You can choose from 0.05, 0.20, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 5.00, 10.00, 20.00, 50.00, 100.00, and 200.00. Different sites may set the default spin value to varying amounts, so always check the current wager before clicking spin so you do not end up spinning the reels with a £2 wager when you intend to spend 50p per spin!
The spin button is a large round button found on both sides of the screen. Autoplay can be configured for players in eligible regions (non-UK), and players can opt for the reels to automatically spin in batches of 10, 25, 50, and 100 games. Autoplay can also be configured to include win/loss limits and stop clauses for a more responsible gaming experience.
This slot game has an RTP of 95.01% which while below the market average, is pretty on par for slots of this type; as is the low-to-medium volatility rating. The top prize of 250x the total stake is also low by modern standards, but in keeping with a retro-themed 3x3 reel game.
There are lots of different online casinos where you can play Jackpot Cherries. Here is our pick of the best slot sites:
Jackpot Cherries is not designed to be a marvel of modern slot innovation. Instead, it explores the simple joy fostered by classic slots, which were all about the fun of watching the reels spin and hoping for a winner.
Visually, the reel set and screen have been made to look like the POV of a player faced with a real-world fruit machine, which is a nice touch that gives a sprinkling of immersion and has led the game to be classed by some as an ‘emulator’ of sorts. While the graphics are not the most sophisticated (the game is now 11 years old), there is not anything that seems glaringly outdated. The same simplicity is seen in the sound design for the game, which can easily be toggled on and off to suit your preference.
The symbols used in this game are also incredibly simple, and despite the word ‘cherry’ in the name, Jackpot Cherries looks more like a super old school noughts and crosses slot machine as opposed to a pub fruitie. The full paytable is as follows:
O
This symbol has no value and instead works as a blocker to prevent winning combinations.
Cherries
Match 3 on a payline to win 5x your stake.
Jackpot
Match 3 on a payline to win 25x your stake.
Despite being over 11 years old, the Jackpot Cherries slot machine has been optimised for play on all devices, including mobile ones. The simple display and minimal features are well-suited to gaming on the go and are not taxing on older devices.
Like everything else in the game, Jackpot Cherries keeps its bonus features incredibly simple, utilising the iconic nudges and holds seen throughout slot history.
Using a nudge can help you to jog one reel down to get a winning combination, and following any non-winning spin, the game may randomly offer a nudge to players. Up to 3 nudges may be awarded per spin.
After being awarded nudges, you may also be awarded a hold. The reel without matching symbols will then respin with the hope of completing a winning combination.
Holds may also occur after any winning spin. This is awarded at random after a winning spin and can occur 3 times.
It is clear that when creating the Jackpot Cherries slot, developer Realistic Games was not intending to create a game with mass-market appeal. Instead, they wanted to create an online slot without the typical bells and whistles that hark back to where slot machines began, and in this regard, I think they have succeeded. The simple graphics will not show their age as quickly as other designs, and have the secondary benefit of being more accessible to mobile players gaming on small screens.
While the math model and formation of the slot does not exactly excite, it is well in line with slots of its type, not to mention its simplicity makes Jackpot Cherries perfect for beginners. I really like the use of ‘nudges’ and ‘holds’ as these terms have started to become redundant, being replaced with ‘sticky symbols’ and ‘respins’.
Unlike in other reviews, I think, if I were considering how to improve Jackpot Cherries, it would not be to add more features. Instead, I would seek to increase the immersion of the game; I would love to see the reels encased by the cabinets of iconic slot machines from history, such as the Liberty Bell or a One-Armed Bandit.
Rating: 7.0
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about Jackpot Cherries.