Return to player
94%
Min bet size
0.20
Game type
Video Slots
Variance
High
Reels
5
Progressive Jackpot
No
Popularity
Max bet size
100
Game provider
Elk Studios
Bonus Features
Yes
Paylines
259
Theme
Jungle / Animals
Bonzo’s Bananza online slot game
Bonzo’s Bananza is a high-volatility 5x5 grid slot from ELK Studios that centres on a hip-hop-loving monkey named Bonzo who has an obsessive affinity for bananas. While many of ELK Studio’s productions are known for their extreme mechanical complexity, this title takes a fairly simple approach, drawing our attention instead with its fast-paced wild multiplier action and nudging mechanics. It offers a robust 10,000x maximum win potential and a relaxed vibe that sets it apart from more demanding high-variance titles.
While the slot may initially feel fairly simple, once the special features and respins start hitting, any fears regarding Bonzo’s Bananza’s slow pace go out the window because the wins can be well worth the wait.
Bonzo’s Banaza: Theme, Design, Sound, and Core Mechanics Explained
The game features a unique aesthetic mash-up, placing a modern, headphone-wearing monkey in an Aztec-style country where ancient temples loom amongst the vines. Bonzo himself leans against the symbol frame with a fresh and hip attitude.
Unlike with many other slots, where the soundtrack simply fades into the background, the score of Bonzo’s Bananza is a main player. During the base game, we have a relaxed yet fresh modern beat with smooth rap, which elevates the visuals and makes it irresistible for the player to groove with each spin. But with the Bonus Game comes a complete change-up to an upbeat afro-house track. And if that wasn’t enough, if you end up winning big in the Bonus Game, the score takes another wild turn. We are greeted with intense bass and the extreme pace of a dubstep/drum n bass tune. Each musical portion makes players feel the excitement at par with our pal Bonzo.
The gameplay takes place on a 5-reel, 5-row grid offering 259 ways to win. Wins are achieved by matching symbols in any position on three or more adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The base game is focused on breaking into the banana-covered temple to access the treasures hidden within.
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Key Features: Nudging Wilds and Sticky Respins
One of the core causes for excitement of Bonzo's Bananza is driven by the interaction between its two primary wild types.
- Monkey Wilds: These are fully stacked symbols that nudge onto the screen to cover an entire reel. Once they hit, they receive a random multiplier and are awarded a respin where the wild becomes sticky.
- Banana Wilds: These are 2-position tall symbols that nudge up or down across the reels, awarding respins until they move off the screen. If a Banana Wild connects with a Monkey Wild, it increases the multiplier for every nudge.
Simply put, these wilds transform the grid and make players brim with excitement due to their persistent nature and relatively frequent occurrences.
Free Spins and Sticky Multipliers
Landing 3 or more scatters triggers 5 free spins. This round is significantly more potent because all Monkey Wilds are sticky for the remainder of the feature.
- Enhanced Starts: Landing 4 or 5 scatters in the base game awards 1 or 2 Monkey Wilds, respectively, on the very first free spin.
- Retriggers: Landing 3 or more scatters during the round awards additional spins and more sticky Monkey Wilds.
- Respin Synergy: Free spins are not consumed by respins triggered by wild symbols, allowing for prolonged sessions despite the low initial spin count.
The combination of free spins upon free spins and wilds (often spiked with multipliers) makes one feel riveted to the screen and able, almost, to taste those big wins!
Winning Strategies and X-iter Feature Buys
While there is more than enough action in the base game, if you want to skip the wait and dive right into the action, ELK Studios’ signature buy menu offers five options:
- Bonus Hunt (2x the bet): Triples the chance to trigger the bonus.
- Monkey Wild (10x the bet): Guarantees one Monkey Wild symbol.
- Monkey Wild Bananza (25x the bet): Guarantees two Monkey Wilds.
- Free Spins (100x the bet): Instant access to the bonus round.
- Super Bonus (500x the bet): Triggers the bonus with 5 scatters.
While in most slots there appears to be a clear contender for the winning spot amongst the Bonus Buys, with Bonzo’s Bananza, we find it hard to pick a favourite. The transformative value of the Free Spins rounds is exponential, and owing to the increase in special features and possibly prolonged sessions, they are generally worth the money, but even on the cheaper end, the guaranteed wilds (owing to their sticky and compoundable nature) can bring in high payouts.
Good Alternatives to Bonzo’s Bananza
Whether it’s the upbeat vibe, ridiculous visuals, or feature-heavy gameplay that kept you hooked onto Elk Studios' Bonzo’s Bananza, we suggest you also give these slots a try:
- Bee Keeper (Pragmatic Play): This slot pairs a classic 5x3 structure with high volatility and wild money collection during free spins, appealing to players who enjoy bonus-centric rounds and tiered rewards. The energy of building wins and multipliers feels similar in spirit to Bonza’s Bananza’s feature excitement.
- Flock Me (NetEnt): Although it works on cluster pay mechanics, Flock Me by Netent shares Bonza’s Bananza’s spirit of dynamic reels and multiple feature triggers thanks to roaming multipliers, cross wilds, and cleaning features. Its bonus free spin rounds with escalating wild multipliers make it a lively, unpredictable pick for players who enjoy engaging bonus mechanics and big win potential.
Our Verdict on Bonzo’s Bananza
Bonzo’s Bananza is an exhilarating, simplified entry in the ELK Studios catalogue. While it may feel underdeveloped compared to their more complex titles, its simplicity is more of a Trojan Horse. The slot offers fast-paced action that is easy to get to grips with and hard to peel yourself away from.
The sticky multiplier wilds give players the possibility of a very high frequency of respins, which, in effect, means the slot is laced with Free Spins features that other slots painstakingly expect you to wait or pay for. And combined with the 10,000x max win, Bonzo’s Bananza is “the” slot for players who prefer straightforward, high-volatility mayhem. However, with all that said, it may still appear to be too simple to some, and the visual and audio upgrades may appear to be an attempt to distract from the lack of innovation.
James is a casino games expert on the Playcasino.com editorial team. With many years of professional experience at a leading casino game development company and a passion for playing casino games, James has become a true expert in slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other games.
James uses this expertise to provide reliable, insider advice through his reviews and guides, breaking down the game rules and offering tips to help you win more often. Rely on James's extensive experience for expert advice on your casino play.
