LooneyPop

Well, we’re back again with another release from the AvatarUX team. Can you guess the name, or at least part of it? That’s right, it’s another PopWins release. After this mechanic shot to success, AvatarUX have showed no signs of slowing down its output, having now used it in more than a dozen releases, including most recently HelioPOPolis, HipHopPop, KokeshiPop, and Zombie aPOPalypse, which introduced MultiPop. And why not? The Megaways mechanic from Big Time Gaming has been one of the most used mechanics for nearly half a decade, so there’s nothing to say players grow bored of something good quickly. This time though, we’re being introduced to a new element – the Zap Reel – in LooneyPop. With an RTP of 96.0%, this highly volatile release can produce wins up to 50,000x bet.

LooneyPop Base Game

At first glance, LooneyPop is already quite funky. When I saw the name I was expecting a Looney Tunes escapade, but instead we have a ‘mad professor on a quest to recreate monsters from nightmares and popular media’. So, it seems the whole thing takes place inside his vile laboratory, wherein he creates ‘abominable creatures that he then allows to roam the world causing pain and havoc’. Either way, things are bright, bold, and colourful, with various creatures and symbols like the professor, aliens, UFOs, dynamite, bombs, rockets, a female character, and some sort of sheriff. It’s all finished off with an upbeat, jazzy tune – not necessarily fitting with any one theme, but to be honest none of it is. Regardless, it’s all works to create something a little crazy, but a lot of fun.

LooneyPop Offers Players up to 118,098 Ways to Win

LooneyPop Base Features

Taking place across 5 reels, wins are formed on LooneyPop by matching at least 3 symbols on adjacent reels, beginning with the leftmost or rightmost reel – as wins pay both ways. Each reel begins with 3 symbols, producing 486 ways to win, although with reel expansion players can see up to 15,552 ways to win in the base game and 118,098 ways to win in Free Spins. Symbols available begin with non premiums, with 9s, 10s, Js, Qs, Ks, and As, awarding wins between 0.20 and 0.60x bet, for matches between 3 and 5 of a kind. In the mid range we have a rocket, dynamite, and a bomb, awarding wins between 0.30 and 1x bet, again for matches between 3 and 5 of a kind. At the premium end, we have the professor, an alien, a female character, and a sheriff. Land 3 of a kind of any premium to see wins of 0.50x bet, increasing to values of 1.50x bet for 5 of a kind.

Winning Symbols are Removed From the Reels With PopWins

Alright so the first thing to cover is the PopWins mechanic. On every spin, all symbols involved in a winning combination are removed from the reels and replaced by two new symbols. This will increase the reel height, and subsequently the ways to win. In the base game, reels can expand to hold 6 symbols on each, producing 15,552 ways to win – as both ways pay. In Free Spins, reels can hold up to 9 symbols with both ways pays, producing 118,098 ways to win. PopWins continue until no more wins are formed, and when they have finished reels will reset to their original height ahead of the next paid spin.

LooneyPop Zap Reel Synced Reels

Now onto the new feature – the Zap Reel. Above the reels, there is an additional horizontal reel which holds 3 cells – this is the Zap Reel. On every spin, the Zap Reel displays up to 3 random rewards, from the following list:

• Multiplier of x2 or x3 – the multiplier will be applied to any combination of wins that involve a symbol directly below the multiplier cell on the zap reel. If more than one multiplier is used, their values are multiplied together before being applied.
• Split Symbols – results in up to 5 of the same symbol in the same cell.
• Expanding Winning Symbol – covers the entire reel if the symbol directly below is involved in a winning combination.
• Synced Reel – synchronises 2 of the adjacent reels and lands identical symbols for a higher chance of forming a winning combination. Synced Reel can sync right or left.

Rewards will only affect the reel directly below them. The Zap Reel will reset to display a new set of rewards ahead of the next spin.

LooneyPop Zap Reel Multiplier

LooneyPop Bonus

When all reels have been increased to 6 symbols high, players will trigger Free Spins. Before Free Spins begin, players have the opportunity to increase their spins by spinning the Wacky Gamble Wheel. Players can firstly collect 6 spins or gamble from 6 to 9 spins, and then collect 9 spins or gamble from 9 to 12 spins. Losing the gamble will forfeit the bonus, and you will return to the base game without playing any Free Spins.

The Gamble Wheel can also land on a special Golden Field. On the first gamble, this will award up to 12 spins, and on the second this will award up to 18 spins.

Gamble up to 18 Free Spins

Free Spins continue in the same way as the base game, except reels do not reset between spins. Instead, they will only reset to the height of the shortest reel. Aside from this, symbols continue to pop off the reels and be replaced by two more symbols, helping to increase reel height and ways to win. Each reel can expand to hold 9 symbols on each, producing 118,098 ways to win – as both ways pay.

The second difference is in the Zap Reel. During Free Spins, the Zap Reel is always filled with 3 rewards, and rewards themselves have been upgraded.

LooneyPop Free Spins

The following rewards are possible during Free Spins:

• Multiplier of x2, x3, x5, or x10 – the multiplier will be applied to any combination of wins that involve a symbol directly below the multiplier cell on the zap reel. If more than one multiplier is used, their values are multiplied together before being applied.
• Split Symbols – results in up to 10 of the same symbol in the same cell.
• Expanding Winning Symbol – covers the entire reel if the symbol directly below is involved in a winning combination.
• Synced Reel – synchronises up to 3 of the adjacent reels and lands identical symbols for a higher chance of forming a winning combination. Synced Reel can sync right, left, or both. Both ways syncing is only available in Extended Free Spins Mode, or after winning through the Gamble Wheel. Synced Reel reward can combine rewards on the Zap Reel.

LooneyPop Maxed-Out Free Spins

Players can take advantage of the following Buy Bonus options:

• Boom Bonus (6 Free Spins) – 125x bet
• Wacky Gamble Wheel (gamble up to 18 Free Spins) – 125x bet
• Maxi Boomy Bonus (12 Free Spins with up to 3 Synced Reels) – 500x bet

The maximum win available in LooneyPop is 50,000x bet. If the sum of a single game round exceeds this, the game round will end and 50,000x bet will be awarded.

LooneyPop Maxed-Out Free Spins

First Impression

Well, what to say? There comes a time where you’ve run out of comments to make, and this is true for the PopWins mechanic. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with LooneyPop – firstly, audiovisuals are the level you expect from this team now, with a bold and quirky feeling to the whole thing. The PopWins mechanic continues to work well, but again – not much has changed on that front. Aside from this, the main new feature is the Zap Reel.

Speaking of which, the Zap Reel offers more than enough excitement in the base game, but Free Spins are where it really comes to life, with 3 guaranteed rewards, and the rewards themselves enhanced. Multipliers, Split Symbols, Expanding Winning Symbols, and Synced Reels all help things along, with wins possible up to 50,000x bet when the right combinations land.

Finally, maths is highly volatile and RTP is fixed at 96.0%, so no complaints there. If you’re already a fan of the PopWins mechanic and you’re looking for something a little different, LooneyPop will suit you down to the ground.

*The screenshots taken of games reviewed on this site are taken from Demo Play, as reviews are often written before games are released for real play.