Lightning Poker Machines
Lightning Link isn’t an individual Poker machine, but is instead a series of 4 games all linked together by some common features including progressive jackpots that build up as a small part of each wager gets put aside until a lucky player lands the right combinations to scoop one of them.
- Aristocrat Slots. Aristocrat Leisure Limited or simply Aristocrat, as it has generically come to be known, is a public Australian company with its headquarters in Sydney. Over the years, it has built a strong brand name and has made its presence felt in the group of slot and gaming machines manufacturing giants.
- Scott Olive created the poker machine smash hit game 'Lightning Link', with industry analysts in North America ranking it as the number one game leased to casinos last year.
Each of the games follows a proven theme, so players will be able to choose from the Asian styled Happy Lantern, the undersea adventures of Magic Pearl, the desert themed Sahara Gold or play at the home of gambling in High Stakes Las Vegas.
Lightning Gaming™ is one of the fastest growing gaming companies in the United States. We create innovative games using state of the art technology to ensure that our games are fun and exciting for players and profitable for casinos.
While the themes and styles may be different, the gameplay is almost identical, with wild substitutions, expanding symbols, scatter wins, free spins and the shared jackpots featuring across the whole range. It’s just up to the players to decide what their favourite theme is, and how much they want to stake per spin.
These can be played from just 0.50, and while most winnings are proportional to the amount staked, the progressive jackpots are the same at any bet level.
The Australian games developer Aristocrat is behind Lightning Link and presents them in their popular Helix cabinets, which sees the controls angled towards players, a wide game screen above them and details of the progressive jackpot levels on an upper screen, all topped off with a bright game sign that stands out on the casino floor.
Playing Lightning Link
Each game comes in a 5 reel format with symbols in 3 rows and either 25 or 50 paylines, with 3 or more matching symbols stopping in an unbroken line across the reels being enough to get a win. Bet options should attract players at most levels, but the maximum stake is 5.00, so high-rollers may steer clear of them.
The standard playing card symbols 9, 10, J, Q, K and A are present on most Aristocrat pokies and these games are no different, but at least they are colourful enough and players know that when these line up they will receive a small payout.
The picture symbols are unique to each pokie, as are the elaborate background images that help to set the themes, so players could for example, see lots of red and gold highlights across Happy Lantern, or the blues and greens of the deep when playing Magic Pearl.
Lightning Link
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Bonus Bits
Any time 3 or more scatter symbols appear in any positions on the reels, players will be awarded with 6 free spins. While this may not sound like many spins there’s the potential for some big payouts during them, as the middle 3 reels will be transformed into a single giant symbol. Any time that symbol appears on reel 1 they will get the equivalent of a 4 in a line win, and should it also stop on reel 5 at the same time, they get a big 5 of a kind payout.
But everyone will be wanting to get their hands on a progressive jackpot when they play these games and the path to the biggest prizes starts when 3 or more coins, or pearls, depending on what is being played, land in any positions.
Some coins will have win values attached to them, while others will be marked Mini, Minor or Major, to show which progressive prize they can win. Any wins, whether jackpots or not are then paid out but then the coins stay locked in place while any remaining symbol positions spin again, 3 times. If more coins land, the process repeats until a series of 3 spins occurs where no more coins appear.
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This can lead to screens packed with coin symbols, and anyone who manages to see all 15 spots on the reels filled by them will automatically win the Grand jackpot which can be a substantial amount.
Even without a jackpot payout, there will be some nice wins from the bonus coins.
The Verdict
Available to play at casinos worldwide, Lightning Links games have a broad appeal and it sees a number of well-designed pokies coming together to bring some nice progressive jackpots to players. Housed in attractive cabinets, the 4 different games will appeal to different audiences, but the main features should certainly appeal to everyone.
Perhaps Aristocrat could have done more to improve the ratio of winning spins, as these are games with a fairly high volatility, where players could be spinning the reels for a while before getting symbols to line up favourably, but the trade-off is that the value of those wins will tend to be higher.
Bonus rounds are certainly interesting, with the giant symbols making the free spins game potentially very rewarding, while the jackpot games are guaranteed to reward players with something, even if it’s not the main progressive prizes.
Lightning Link from Aristocrat is the wonderful pokies with an explosive set of linked games with progressives. It has proven to be a hit with players in Australia, North America and Europe. The game also is popular in Latin America and in Macau, making these pokies thus famous all over the world. The creator of this pokies game Scott Live designed this game for all types of players; be it a low stake player, high roller or casual gamers.
With a simple interface you can easily learn and play; as well as understand features and jackpots, the game keeps that will keep you entertained all through the gameplay.
The first games to feature a ‘Hold and Spin’ bonus were the ‘Lightning Link’ and ‘Dragon Link’ titles; first released in 2015. There were also ‘Lightning Cash’ variations, which had stand-alone jackpots instead of shared ones.
About the pokies game Lightning Link
Lightning Link is a unique pokies game with multi-denominations; a multi-format jackpot offering combination of SAP jackpots, an excellent mix of games that attract a wide range of players; and a patented new jackpot mechanic for innovative gameplay and trigger methodology.
Win-lines and the size of the coins you spin for are changeable. You can choose 25 or 50 win-lines; coins from 1c to 10c are standard. You will notice the Mini and Minor jackpots change as you move up the coin sizes.
Each of the games has wild symbols in play to connect additional wins. There are stacked symbols on the reels, making it common to cover one or more reels with the same symbol. Your biggest wins will come from those times you cover the entire reels with one of the higher paying symbols.
You can play this pokies game with your smartphone be it Android, iPhone or iPad. Remember the games you can play on your mobile device through Aristocrat are free-money apps only; as the company struggles to work around regulations that restrict mobile pokies and their play in Australia.
Games to play in this pokies game machine
Lightning Link leading-edge jackpot features cash on reel style jackpots, bonuses and credit prizes. You can win up to 56 awesome titles in this pokies machine as there is a variety of unique free game features experiences to choose from. Some of the awesome titles are Fiery eyes, Gold bonanza, Autumn moon, Golden century, Panda magic, Happy & prosperous, Portal Fortune Aztec Relics, Big red, Unicorn, Golden Grove, Wild teeth, Wild fortune, Fortune fleet, a Night bird, Twilight tundra, Sunset Age, Pacific Princess, Magic Flower deluxe, Sierra Spirit, Pure Elegance, Outback Jack, Sky Rider, Jungle Rush, Spring Carnival, 2 Can, 5 Dragon gold and more.
Lightning Link offers a range of Grand Jackpot options to cater to different venues of all sizes. This generous progressive pokies offers 16 awesome pokies where you can win hundreds of thousands of dollars with also smaller jackpots that you can win worth hundreds of prizes and cash too.
The popular different themes or pokies that you can choose from are: Raging Bull, Mine, Mine, Mine, Dragon’s Riches, Fire Idol, Magic Totem, Eyes of Fortune, Bengal Treasures, Wild Chuco, Tiki Fire, Heart Throb, Best Bet, Moon Race, Happy Lantern, High Stakes, Magic Pearl and Sahara Gold. You can either go on playing sequence wise or can try whichever game you wish to play first.
Some of the best and popular pokies games you can enjoy at Lightning Link pokies Machine
- High Stakes- High Stakes pokies from Microgaming makes use of a Hold and Spin feature where you can use your logical skills and decide where the value lies and improve your wins. There’s a free games bonus too, which comes complete with giant symbols on the central reels that can easily allow you to win because of the fifty win lines. The jackpots are symbol driven too, so easily come to know when you hit big.
- Happy Lantern- Happy Lantern is a great Oriental themed pokies game with great animations, free spins and jackpot prizes. This is a 25-line game bringing together classic Aristocrat action and the latest features for a unique, highly exciting gameplay experience.
Sahara Gold- The third pokies games in the Lightning Link range comes in the form of Sahara Gold. It is noticeably similar to High Stakes, with the Hold and Spin feature being in effect once again alongside free spins and fifty lines of action. The free spins bonus, in particular, is well worth checking out as the number of spins is assigned randomly, as is the number of bonus wilds that are all set to play a massive part in proceedings as you enjoy all of the action.
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Magic Pearl- Magic pearl also is quite similar to Sahara Gold and High Stakes, with fifty lines of action in the play and the highly popular Hold and Spin feature leading to big wins – covering both fixed prizes and the progressive jackpot amounts.
- Moon Race– Moon Race retains the Hold and Spin feature to set up some big jackpot wins; and is similar to Best Bet as described below
- Best Bet– Best Bet was the second game to follow the initial set of Lightning Link games; and has a horse racing theme with the Hold and Spin feature action. It can lead to multiple jackpots being won all within a single feature. There are fifty lines in play and the bonus free spins round ;and up to 25 spins can be won with all of the playing card icons being removed from the board in the process.
- Heart Throb– Heart Throb has been designed to take the volatility up a notch; where the wild wins in the feature round are instantly doubled compared to the base game.
- Tiki Fire– The classic Tiki Torch pokie was released as a pair with Heart Throb. As both are functionally identical with increased volatility once again; coming down to the use of a wild multiplier during free spins.
- Bengal Treasure– Bengal Treasure an Indian-themed pokie has great animations with Fifty lines. It ensures some fast-paced action that gets even bigger. It is better within the free spins round as you take advantage of stacked symbols; which become increasingly available as the round plays out.8
- Wild Chuco– Wild Chuco is paired up with Bengal Treasure; where some of the visuals are among the best that can be seen in the combination of fifty lines. It shows the increasing availability of stacked symbols where you will have every chance of putting together some massive wins.
- Raging Bull– Raging Bull developed by HRG studios features the popular hold and spin feature; cash on reels and scalable bonus prizes. During the free games feature reels 1 and reels 2 display the same symbols in adjacent positions. Similarly reels 4 and 5 display the same symbols in adjacent positions.
- Dragon Riches– Dragon Riches also have held and spin features that can be played with denominations of $1 and $2. During the free games feature every X2 that substitutes in a win will double the pay for that win. Players can win up to X16 their bet with multiple X2 on a winning line.
Also, enjoy some of the latest games that are added regularly on this pokies machine.
The Bets and the Jackpots in the pokies game
When you start to play you will find two different formats:
- 1c and 2c denominations for a 50-payline game
- 5c and 10c denominations for a 25c game
On the 50-payline version, the maximum bet is 500 credits. On the 25-payline version, there is a 250 maximum wager. So, the new Lightning Link progressive pokies from Aristocrat caters to players with a wide range of budgets. No matter what denomination you choose, the jackpot prizes will remain the same.
All Lightning Link games offer four tiers of jackpots, with the top at $10,000.
How the Hold and Spin Bonus Feature Works?
The main attraction of the Lightning Link pokies family of games is the Hold and Spin bonus. Each game has symbols that show either numbers or the words Mini, Minor or Major. These are the 3 smaller jackpots. The symbols containing the numbers are themed. For example, pearl symbols in the Magic Pearl game and Horseshoes in ‘Best Bet’.
Sometimes, these will simply block the regular symbols, getting in the way of your wins. What you need is 6 or more to land on a single spin. This triggers a ‘Hold and Spin’ feature.
You now see the regular symbols fade away, so they are barely visible. You get 3 spins with your cash awards to hit more of them. Each time you hit one or more new awards, the number of spins resets to 3. If you spin 3 times with no extra wins, then your bonus ends; your winnings count up with lightning strike effects.
To win the big linked Grand jackpot; you need to fill all 15 spots on the reels with these special symbols.
Features offered in the Lightening link pokies games
Each of the Lightning Link pokies comes packaged with two special features. The first is a free spins bonus game that comes complete with a “Mega Symbol.” Hit three scatter symbols, and you’ll earn six or more free spins, during which a large, 3×3 symbol may appear to cover the middle three reels in their entirety. This can even lead to the entire middle of the screen having wild symbols, which can lead to massive prizes.
Players will also want to be on the lookout for pearl symbols. If six or more hit the screen at the same time, you’ll trigger three free spins. During these re-spins, the pearls that are already on the screen will remain in place. Even all the other symbols are not there in the reels, players will still have the chance to find more pearls. If you can find more at any time, you’ll once again get at least three more plays. The game only ends if you run out of spins without hitting more pearls, or if you fill all 15 positions.
When the game ends, players will collect a number of prizes. Some pearls will feature a number of instant coins that players will walk away with, while others may note the name of one of the four linked jackpots that are shared between these titles. Smaller jackpots, like the Mini Bonus, can be won multiple times on a single special feature. If you should manage to get all 15 pearls during the feature, you’ll win the Grand Jackpot along with the other prizes you’ve collected.
Where to play Lightning Link pokies?
Lightening Link offers an electrifying set of linked games that you can play online casinos on your web or mobile browser. Also, you can play these pokies at land-based casinos and clubs near you.
As there are many free Aristocrat apps like Heart of Vegas App or Cashman casinos app, they offer Lightening Link pokies where you enjoy Lightening Link games all free. Or you can simply download the Lightening Link pokies free app on your mobiles and get going. These free apps offer you free coins to play the pokies with loads of other bonus offers. These free apps also have in-app purchases to buy more free coins if you need them. You get 0,000 free coins to enjoy these pokies all free.
As this pokies game offers up a lot of different options for different kinds of punters. With sixteen different themes with different denominations means you can enjoy this game for real money.