Slot Overview: Columbus Deluxe by Novomatic
Columbus Deluxe, designed and developed by Novomatic, transports its players back in time to when Christopher Columbus voyaged across the high seas to discover sensual new worlds.
This slot is all about the theme of finding lost treasure, and it combines some solid classic slot gameplay with a few new elements.
In this Columbus Deluxe slot review, there is a lot to learn about the game, including basic statistics and bonus features all the way up to your overall experience with the game.
I’ll use my personal experiences and observations to help you determine if it’s worth your time and cash.
In this review, we’ll delve into the details of the slot; from its RTP and volatility, to big win potential – so amateur players and hardcore gamers alike can enjoy a fair view.
Columbus Deluxe Details, RTP, Payout & Volatility
Columbus Deluxe offers a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) of 96.09% – about average for an online slot. This figure means that over time, players should win back €96.09 for every €100 bet.
But one has to bear in mind that RTP is a theoretical measure and the real figures can differ widely, particularly over the short term. With the slot being deemed to of medium variance, there is an equilibrium between small regularly occurring wins and higher big paying payouts.
Its medium volatility makes it attractive to many kinds of players who either want the compromise between regularity small wins and a low risk game, or indeed gamblers looking to take on more risk for a potentially large reward. The max payout in Columbus Deluxe is set to a maximum of 5,000x your stake, so there are some really big wins up for grabs here if you are lucky enough!
You can stake anything from €0.10 to €50 a spin, catering for all budgets. The game has a 5x3 reel format and is played on the “All ways pays” payout system, eschewing regular paylines.
Winning occurs when symbol combinations are matched on adjacent reels, beginning with the leftmost reel, regardless of where the symbols appear on the reels. This mechanic adds a lot more possibility to spin up those winning lines than you would normally find on pay-line-based slots.
Based on my playtests this ratio of winning seemed fair. Amicable wins were actually fairly common, just enough to keep balance ticking over while the rather weightier wins landed from time to time.
The level of volatility seemed just right — enough to make things fun and keep the other side on their toes.
Theme, Audio & Symbols
It is themed on the famous voyage across the Atlantic of Christopher Columbus. The graphics are a fusion of old school slot with historical depiction.
Symbolism includes Columbus himself, Queen Isabella, nautical instruments such as a sextant and the three famous ships: the Niña, Pinta and Santa María. Symbol design is rather basic, unsurprisingly for a game developed by Novomatic, though they are easily distinguishable and suit the theme perfectly.
And although the graphics aren’t exceptional, they’re clean and do the job. A screen grab of the posing Columbus and Queen Isabella would express a lot about what the game has ready to offer in theme.
Its sound design is a pretty no-nonsense affair too, which generally does the slot with a series of slots sounds that trigger as you spin and win, occasionally supplemented by an unremarkable seafaring type tune. Music is forgettable but doesn't take away from the rest of the game.
The game, all in all, is immersive enough and good enough for most of the players. The sound effects were just serviceable, and they never really got old or irritating with longer plays.
The visual animations are ok but can be improved, especially the bonus features. It would be good to have a small clip of the ship symbols transition when you are winning.
Bonus Features
There's one main bonus feature on Columbus Deluxe and that is the Free Spins round. It is activated by getting 3 scatter symbols (the ships) on reels 1, 3 and reels 5 at the same time.
Once it is activated, you gain 10 free spins. Free Spins ship symbols will become additional wilds, boosting your chances of stacking up wins. This is where the real opportunity to win big kicks in.
During the bonus round, players are able to re-trigger 10 additional free spins by getting three more scatter symbols and these can be awarded randomly at any point during a game! In my experience, once I’d triggered the free spins feature it felt like a game changer.
The extra wilds on the reels really helped increase my win potential. The free spins were not EVERY session but often enough to keep me going. Image of the converted ship symbols as wilds in free spins round would be good to demonstrate what this feature has got to offer.
Columbus Deluxe does not have a Bonus Buy but that isn’t too much of an issue since you cannot as such buy the feature. This design decision contributes favorably to the game's equilibrium, retaining probability and anticipation.
There is no Ante Bet feature that would have given you a higher likelihood to activate the feature either.
Mobile Experience
Columbus Deluxe Mobile Novomatic has become a mobile friendly game, meaning players can now enjoy everything the slot has to offer on their hand-held devices. The game translates well to smaller screens, with everything readily at your fingertips.
The touchscreen buttons are responsive and easy to use, giving you full control over the reels with a simple touch. The game is very fluent on iOS and Android devices with no evident hiccups or lagging.
Regardless of whether you’re playing on a phone or tablet, the visual quality is maintained, with sharp and well-defined graphics and symbols. I played the game on both an iPhone and an Android tablet, and the mobile experience was always lovely.
The game loaded fast and the touchscreen controls felt smooth and responsive. I didn’t have any hiccups, and I did not experience compatibility issues.
Untranslated. Here you could show a brief video on how the game rebounds and looks crisp on mobile. Free from janky animations and fancy graphics that slow the game down on mobile devices.
It ends up being perfectly suited to mobile because its minimalist game design would indicate that is so.
Pros & Cons
Columbus Deluxe has a balanced gameplay with a few surprises that will work for you. The ‘all ways pays’ payout format offers so many more opportunities to make winning combinations as opposed to standard payline online slots.
The medium risk level is great for all types of players, with a nice balance between featuring regular smaller gets and the chance to pick up some bigger prizes. The Free Spins round itself, featuring spinning ships to transform the outcome, is immensely fun and lucrative.
Also game is well optimized for mobile play! It does have a few things working against it. The look and sound effects are a wee bit Buckshee, not as slick as newer slots.
A lack of Bonus Buy won’t please all BSG fans that are used to playing their games at a higher stake for the straight feature trigger. There are only a few bonuses so some people may need something more challenging or innovative to play.
The game may seem a bit simplistic, which some players won’t like. In the end though, the plusses greatly outweigh the minuses here.
Our Verdict
Columbus Deluxe – For a solid, yet traditional slots experience Another game that shares features with Lord of the Ocean. It's not going to be the perfect game for young players who are used to advanced graphics and elaborate attraction!
But its decent gameplay, medium variance, and the fact that it is an 'all ways pays' game means there's something to offer a whole range of players. Even the Free Spins feature, with its changing ship symbols had me genuinely excited to get some nice sized wins.
For any Novomatic slots fan or history enthusiast Columbus Deluxe is definitely worth a shot. The game is for entrants, as well as pros who prefer pure and simple slots.
It may only satisfy the less daring gamers, but for those who are looking to secure a lot of wins without any fuss - it’s one cracking little game. It may also suit players who play the Columbus Deluxe Novomatic slot for free and then go on to playing for real money as it is easy design to try out.
Play Responsibly
Last but not least, it is as always important to keep in mind that the enjoyment gained from games such as Columbus Deluxe can be addictive and even dangerous so you should play responsibly.
Before you play, establish a budget and stick to it, and don’t chase your losses. And don't forget every spin is random and there's no surefire way to win.
People younger than 18 are not allowed to engage in online gambling. If you believe that you, or someone you know, may have a gambling problem, there are many resources to help.
Organizations like GamCare (www. gamcare. org. uk) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (www. ncpgambling. org) provide confidential support and advice. Don’t forget, you should play for fun, not to make a profit.
If you feel that your gambling is having a negative impact in any way on your life, immediately get help. With responsible play you keep your gambling in check but its still fun and harmless.