Our rating:
Developer: Play'n GO
Release date: 29th Jun 2023
Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Slot - Screenshot
Grid Slot
RTP: 96.20%
Max Payout: 6,000x stake
Volatility: Medium-High
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 100.00
Reels: N/A
Paylines: N/A
Category: Grid slots
Theme: Space
Jackpot: No

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules

Paul Clare
Reviewed by Paul Clare Last updated:

It’s been a few years since these two robots last blasted onto our screens with a host of modifiers and a superb free spins feature. Sparky & Shorts Hidden Joules is their second adventure and this time, the multipliers are bigger than ever. Watch out for Sparky Wilds and the chaos that ensues.

Full review continued below ↓

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Our Rating

“Wild modifiers & big multipliers are hiding everywhere!”

3.8 out of 5

Features
7.5/10
Design
8/10
Gameplay
7.5/10
Win potential
7.5/10

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Screenshots

  • Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Slot - Screenshot 1
  • Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Slot - Screenshot 2
  • Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Slot - Screenshot 3
  • Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Slot - Screenshot 4

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Features

As with this slot's predecessor, the bonus games are not in abundance but all the multipliers step up to fill in for them and do a fantastic job. Not a spin goes by when something special isn't landing on this grid and there is potential for a little added excitement always looming.

There are various meters lurking to the sides of the reels and you'll spot more than one wild symbol doing the rounds.

You’ll also notice that some symbols are joined together in what is known as a Mega Symbol and this is simply a cluster of 4 matching symbols that increase the multiplier meter. As this meter grows, it is applied to further wins in the sequence. 

To the left of the screen, there is some form of energy pack that collects sequences of wins and the bigger they are, the higher the boost will go from +2 to +5. The boost helps increase the multiplier meter even faster as it grows.

Various wild symbols can land and they range from regular substitution powers all the way through to Mega Symbol creators. Lower-paying symbols are removed by some and also further wilds are created by others. 

Hit 4 of these during a sequence and Sparky will suddenly become energised and start firing various modifiers at the screen and boosting your balance in the fastest way possible.

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules - Mega Symbols

Mega Symbols

When a group of 4 matching symbols lands in a 1x4, 4x1 or 2x2 format, they group together to create Mega Symbols, which could increase your wins.

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules - Win Multiplier

Win Multiplier

Each time one of the Mega Symbols forms, your win multiplier gets boosted by +1 and is added to subsequent spins in the sequence.

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules - Boost Meter

Boost Meter

With more and more winning clusters falling into place through a winning sequence, the boost meter will grow and help the Win Multiplier feature grow even quicker.

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules - Special Wilds

Special Wilds

Wild symbols can create Mega Symbols, remove low-paying symbols and more. Landing 4 in a sequence unleashes Sparky Wilds with enhanced chances of hitting a top win.

Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules Review

One of the most important aspects of the first Sparky and Shortz slot was the free spins bonus that toyed with your emotions and had the potential to bring 100 free games your way. Unfortunately, they don't appear in the latest version and a few other things seem to have been downgraded slightly as well such as the boost meter, which now only goes up to +5 instead of the original plus 10. 

Looking on the bright side, the stacked symbols have been upgraded to Mega Symbols but they still effectively do the same job of increasing the win multiplier by +1.

Design

This slot looks and feels very similar to the last but it has received a mathematical boost with the introduction of this 7x7 grid which replaces reels and pay lines. There are some fun animations taking place when the wins land and our favourite always was and still is watching Sparky going nuts and creating all kinds of big wins across the screen. 

The soundtrack is suitably futuristic and if you're lucky enough to have a decent mobile device, then you'll get a lot of enjoyment from this production on both Android and Apple devices.

Game Play

The lack of a free spins bonus it's a shame as it means simply watching out for the modifiers to take place the whole way through. If you can land enough wild symbols to send Sparky over the edge, then you will get to experience the adventure to its fullest.

Win Potential

We mentioned before that a couple of elements of this game had been downgraded from the first version and the max payout is one of those things. It now stands at 6,000x compared to 10,000x previously. The volatility is less intense sitting around the medium-high mark so perhaps this is compensation. RTP levels will vary quite considerably with 96.20% being the maximum available.

Our Verdict

There is a lot to enjoy throughout this intergalactic journey accompanying Sparky and Shortz in the quest for extra energy but it does feel like somewhat of a downgrade from the original—but not in the audio-visual department, these are still top-notch. It is a slightly different concept and it will come down to whether or not you'd like to try a grid slot with slightly lower volatility compared to the previous 5 reels with a higher payout but higher volatility as well. Check out the original Sparky and Shortz if you'd like to give that a try too.

Play Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules at these slot sites

Jump straight into the action and play Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules now at the following fully licenced UK slot sites. These slot sites have been thoroughly audited and reviewed by the team here at Slot Gods to ensure they offer an exceptional user experience, are trustworthy, safe, secure, and boast the best selection of online slots in their portfolio including Sparky and Shortz Hidden Joules...