After its introduction on the last day of ICE London 2019, Banana Odyssey, the space-themed online slot created exclusively for Microgaming by Slingshot Studios is now available to the Isle of Man-based software development company’s partner operators.

Powered on the Quickfire platform, the much-anticipated five-by-three reel, 10-payline online slot centers around Buck and Chip, a pair of astronaut chimps that travel through space to Banana Planet where their favorite fruit grows in abundance.

The game pays both left-to-right and right-to-left, giving it a fantastic hit rate.”

This sci-fi spectacular has an RTP (return to player) of 96.31% and comes complete with an expanding wild re-spin feature that can turn the entire reel set wild in the main game, and an extra spins game with sticky wild reels.

Oooh’s & ahh’s:

Visually appealing, with the creators of Zombie Hoard and the wildly popular title, Cash of Kingdoms, showing off their obvious skills, Buck and Chip soar through space in search of great fortune, while a funky soundtrack plays in the background. And where the game’s symbols on the reels include the usual lower value A, K, Q and J card suits, as well as more lucrative zap guns, Astro Nuts, and of course, our two Astro-chimps.

Buck and Chip are expectedly the most rewarding, earning you 10xs your stake for a combination of five. Winning combinations can be formed from both left to right and right to left.

There’s never a dull moment on this adventure.”

The Banana planet serves as the game‘s wild symbol, which only appears on the three middle reels. When it hits, it triggers the Expanding Wilds feature, as the wild expands to fill the entire reel. Activation of the cosmic respin feature results in the expanded wilds remaining locked in place while the re-spin is played. The cycle repeats if another wild hits, presenting a chance to trigger even more respins and boost potential rewards.

Base game:

Landing three scatter symbols on reels two, three and four, which appear in the base game only, gets you more of the same in the extra spins feature where players are accelerated deep into space and 10 extra spins are triggered. The chance for locked expanding wilds sets up fantastic win potential.

Commenting on the medium volatility game that is available exclusively to its operator partners, Director of Global Operations for Microgaming, James Buchanan, said in the official press release

“We always strive to deliver a diverse, quality content portfolio to meet the needs of our operators, and Banana Odyssey is testament to this. Originally conceptualised by Twin during one of Microgaming’s interactive games concept days with operators, and following a two-month exclusivity period with the operator, the game is now available to our wider customer base.

“Slingshot Studios have done a tremendous job creating an energetic, fast-paced slot, successfully combining popular game mechanics of respins, expanding wilds and free spins. Engrossed with aesthetically pleasing visuals and a foot-tapping soundtrack, Banana Odyssey is a captivating new addition to Microgaming’s library of games,” Buchanan said.

Designed to deliver:

Meanwhile, one of the nine independent game studios working exclusively with Microgaming, Slingshot Studios‘ Head of Studio, Richard Vermaak, added…

“We are over the moon to bring Banana Odyssey to the market. There’s a great deal of humour, energy and attitude in this game, packed with punch and visual clarity, and balanced with mathematical and aesthetic personality. The entire experience is designed to deliver that to the player. Its clean and punchy style makes the win potential easy to track, and the win events themselves are designed to elevate the player experience. The game pays both left-to-right and right-to-left, giving it a fantastic hit rate.

“There’s never a dull moment on this adventure. Our intention was to make players feel like they are constantly progressing on a journey with brothers Buck and Chip to the Banana Planet. The music and visual effects highlight the heightened potential of the various states in the game, whether it be base game, respins or free spins, drawing players into the intergalactic atmosphere. We cannot wait for players to experience the exhilarating journey in Banana Odyssey,” explained Vermaak.

Slingshot Studios:

Players can join Buck and Chip on their odyssey on all devices, including iOS and Android, from 0.10 to 400.00 per spin.

Established in 2016, the South Africa-headquartered Slingshot was introduced as Microgaming’s newest exclusive creator in fall 2018, while at the same time hyping the then soon-to-be-released and now smash hit Cash of Kingdoms video slot.

Rootz agreement:

Microgaming also recently announced that it had inked a new commercial agreement with Malta-based iGaming company, Rootz Ltd., giving its [Rootz] first casino brand, Wildz Casino, access to the developer’s impressive collection of innovative and diverse slots, such as Thunderstruck II and the vampire-themed blockbusterImmortal Romance.