Our rating:
Developer: Microgaming
Release date: 5th Oct 2022
9 Skulls of Gold Slot - Screenshot
RTP: 96.33%
Max Payout: 2,000x stake
Volatility: High
Min Bet: 0.20
Max Bet: 125.00
Reels: 5
Paylines: 20
Themes: Adventure, Pirate
Jackpot: No

9 Skulls of Gold

Charlie Vogelsang
Reviewed by Charlie Vogelsang Last updated:

Following on from their last pirate adventure, Holly Roger and her crew return on their biggest adventure yet. Not content with reclaiming all the gold in 8 Golden Skulls, the team embark on finding the 9 Skulls of Gold.

Developed by Buck Stakes Entertainment with Microgaming, 9 Skulls of Gold plays on 5-reels with 20 paylines. With bonus wheels, free spins and firepot, join the crew in order to secure fortunes unknown to man.

Full review continued below ↓

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Our Rating

“Join Holly Roger's crew to find bountiful treasures”

3.7 out of 5

Features
7.5/10
Design
7.5/10
Gameplay
7.5/10
Win potential
7/10

9 Skulls of Gold Screenshots

  • 9 Skulls of Gold Slot - Screenshot 1
  • 9 Skulls of Gold Slot - Screenshot 2
  • 9 Skulls of Gold Slot - Screenshot 3
  • 9 Skulls of Gold Slot - Screenshot 4

9 Skulls of Gold Features

If you've played the previous game, then you'll be familiar with the gameplay. Firstly, 3 or more firepot symbols will award the special jackpot leading to up to 2,000x stake in wins. The game mentions epic strike throughout which is just another name for the firepot.

Like most free spin rounds, when a player lands 3 or more scatters, the free spins round will be triggered. There is a chance that one of the scatters will turn golden to be collected in the chest which can award up to 5 extra spins. Before free spins begin, there is a bonus wheel determining up to 30 spins and multipliers of up to x3. 

9 Skulls of Gold - Free Spins

Free Spins

When a player lands 3 or more scatters, the free spins round is triggered. There is first a wheel that spins to determine up to 30 free spins and multipliers that can reach up to x3.

9 Skulls of Gold - Firepot

Firepot

The cashpot is essentially a fixed jackpot at the left-hand side of the screen (also known as epic strike). This is triggered by landing 3 or more firepot symbols.

9 Skulls of Gold Review

Holly Roger changed the course of history in 8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger, she's decided it's time for her comeback with 9 Skulls of Gold. This time she wants to find the 9 golden skulls instead of just 8 with her biggest adventure yet.

Developed by Buck Stakes Entertainment with Microgaming, this pirate slot plays on 5-reels with 20 paylines and follows the crew with free spins, bonus wheels and cashpots leading to piles of gold.

Design

The visuals are almost identical to the previous game with the ocean in the distance with a beautiful-looking sunset. On the reels, the female characters return and are unchanged from the original game as well.

This is extremely disappointing as we were expecting something a little more enhanced such as more animations or sharper graphics - but that is not the case.

As for the music, there is a jaunty pirate tune playing that is mixed with a little bit of classic rock to create something original. The overall design is fantastic but it's all something we've seen before (literally with the last slot).

Gameplay

Throughout the game, players can trigger free spins or the firepot. That's about it for this slot. If this was an original game with no previous title doing the exact same thing, it would be quite impressive and entertaining. However, we've literally seen this all before.

At the bottom of the screen, players will find the spin button and bet level buttons. Further to the right, they will find the menu buttons as well as the sound settings.

Win Potential

The original game had quite a strong win potential with RTP at 96.86% and a maximum win of 6,000x the stake. Sadly, this game does not follow the example and has a lower RTP of 96.33%. This is still over the average but disappointing that the developers have gone lower.

In addition to this, the maximum win for this high volatility slot is a 2,000x stake. Instead of improving and making the sequel better, they have literally made it even worse. 2,000x the stake for a modern slot is almost like a slap in the face to players - especially with the comparison of the previous game.

Our Verdict

It's frustrating to admit, but 9 Skulls of Gold feels like a step down from the previous game. There is a lack of Megaways in this slot and all the features are copied over from this game. Even the statistics have decreased lowering the win potential.

Evidently, we're unsure as to why this slot was made when 8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger Megaways is already excellent. This is certainly a sequel that feels unneeded and a strange release from the developers. That's not to say that the game is bad, but the previous one is just so much better.

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