Big Bopper Slots
Real Time Gaming (RTG)[/real-time-gaming] isn't renowned for officially registered slots, but for many other developers showing signs of improvement with them, that was only a question of how long until they jumped on board, literally and metaphorically. The Big Bopper slot is a vintage 1950s rock & roll-themed homage to JP Richardson Jr, the musician best remembered for Chantilly Lace and who had been horribly killed in the crash with Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly at the beginning of his career. It was this disaster that Don McLean immortalized in the song American Pie, referring to it as "the day the music died." While the subject may appear solemn, trust us when we say that the game is anything but; it's a celebration of all the Big Bopper stood for: vintage 1950s rock and roll culture. The game features original black-and-white video footage as well as Bopper tunes. The playability hasn't really been overlooked either; this new slot has an instant win bonus as well as two free spins sessions to keep your toes pounding and the reels spinning!
Theme
In neon lights, the 1950s theme blasts out from the reels! The looping backdrop is an old black and white theater with blackout curtains framing the reels, as well as popular icons from the era, including a Fonz-like jean jacket, crystal cola containers, electric guitars, and aviator sunglasses. We won't go into too much detail about the music because, given the theme, it's evident that it's heavy on recordings by the late talented singer himself. In particular, the stacked icon of the Big Bopper himself is animated and bursts into video while on a win line. The high-paying symbols are music classics from the era—notes, guitars, the Big Bopper, and radios—while harmonica overtones skillfully replace A-10 playing card symbols as low-value figures. There is also a Wurlitzer jukebox, an old console radio, and 12" vinyl records as imaginative symbols that burst into clips when on a winning line.
Features & Gameplay
It is a 5-reel, 25-payline video bonus slot with coin sizes from 0.01 and 1 coin per line. RTG has decided not to include an RTP figure in the game, but they have compensated with special features: the Big Bopper® Instant Win feature and two free spins modes. When three Bopper symbols land on the reels, one activates randomly.
With the Big Bopper® Instant Win feature, the player wins as soon as the Bopper sings! Based on previews, it awards a progressive multiplier up to 250x the bet until Bopper finishes singing Chantilly Lace.
The Chantilly Lace Free Games round continues until he stops singing, awarding up to 45 spins with an x10 multiplier.
White Lightnin' Free Games run as long as the music plays, featuring stacked symbols for huge win potential.
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Summary
The Big Bopper appears to be a good complement to RTG's video slot lineup; the departure from their usual fare might be a refreshing change of pace if the slot's aesthetics, soundtrack, and features signal the beginning of a new line for them. Overall, even if you're a fan or not, this slot has a lot of replay value.
