Best Cluster Pays Slots
Slot games have come a long way from their early days of lining up matching symbols across one or more paylines. Modern online slots now come with innovative reel mechanics that allow us to land wins in different ways. One of the most popular of those mechanics is the cluster pays mechanic - which works a lot like mobile games such as Candy Crush.
The History of the Cluster Pays Slot Mechanic
If you're playing online slot games in 2023 or later, there is a good chance that you have stumbled across the cluster pays mechanic. Many leading slot game designers have utilized the mechanic in slot releases over the years. In most cases, those cluster pays slots go on to become popular titles at online casinos across the globe.
Where did cluster pays come from, however? NetEnt is the iGaming software development company that invented cluster pays slots back in 2016. The reel mechanic became an instant hit the moment, Aloha! Cluster Pays became the first-ever cluster pay slot machine on the market.
The Best Cluster Pays Slots of All Time
Since the release of Aloha! Cluster Pays a few years back, many more titles that use the mechanic have come off the production line and not just at NetEnt. In this section, we will showcase some of the very best cluster pays slot machine games you can find at online casinos.
Aloha! Cluster Pays (NetEnt)
- Developer: NetEnt
- Reels: 6x5
- RTP: 96.42%
- Variance/Volatility: Low
- Min-Max Clusters: 9 - 30+
- Max Win: 10,000x
- Free Spins: Yes
- Multipliers: No
When it comes to creating a list of the best slots that use cluster pays, Aloha! Cluster Pays has to be on it. After all, this is the first game where this reel mechanic first appeared. This popular cluster pays slot machine has a Hawaiian/tiki theme, a top payout of 10,000x the stake, and a low variance.
As for the features, you can expect Substitution Symbols, Stacked Symbols, Sticky Spin Re-Spins, and a free spins feature. The postage stamp represents the key to the latter. Land 3, 4, 5, or 6 anywhere in view, and you trigger 9, 10, 11, or 12 free spins, respectively. During the free spins round, there is a Symbol Drop feature that removes all low-win symbols from the reels on each spin. This allows new high-value symbols to drop into the vacated positions.
Jammin' Jars (Push Gaming)
- Developer: Push Gaming
- Reels: 8x8
- RTP: 96.83%
- Variance/Volatility: High
- Min-Max Clusters: 5-25+
- Max Win: 20,000x
- Free Spins: Yes
- Multipliers: Yes
We have played numerous cluster play slots for some fun or for the purpose of writing a slot review here at Playcasino. If asked about the most common themes we come across in such games, sweets/candies are a theme we would mention. You will see another cluster pays slot with a similar theme later on. We think it has to do with the obvious Candy Crush puzzle game connection this mechanic has.
Anyhow, Jammin' Jars is a slot that offers more than tasty-looking symbols. Wild symbols that create wins will provide growing multipliers, cascading reels ensure the chance for chain reaction wins, and a rainbow feature will transform random symbols into giant 4x4 symbols. The icing on the cake is a free spins feature with sticky wild symbols and their ever-growing multipliers.
Astro Legends (Foxium)
- Developer: Foxium
- Reels: 1x2x3x3x4x3x3x2x1
- RTP: 96.4%
- Variance/Volatility: High
- Min-Max Clusters: 5-22+
- Max Win: 15,000x
- Free Spins: No
- Multipliers: Yes
Themed on a futuristic rock band, Astro Legends is another of the best Cluster Pays slots currently available. You can expect good graphics, smooth animations, an amazing soundtrack, and, most importantly, the chance of big wins of up to 15,000x the total bet.
This well-crafted title also contains exciting features such as multiplier wilds of between 2x and 5x, a Sonic re-spin feature that continues until a winning cluster no longer expands, and more.
Lost Relics (NetEnt)
- Developer: NetEnt
- Reels: 5x5
- RTP: 96.3%
- Variance/Volatility: Medium-High
- Min-Max Clusters: 6-25+
- Max Win: N/A
- Free Spins: Yes
- Multipliers: No
NetEnt's Lost Relics is another of the online slots we deem good enough to make our list of top cluster pays slots. Featuring the top-quality graphics NetEnt is renowned for, this polished slot features an interesting theme, exciting gameplay, and a bunch of lucrative bonus features.
During the base game, three random bonus features can kick into action. These will give you a random prize of between 3x and 30x your stake, add three additional wilds to the reels, or add another scatter symbol. If you manage to land three of those scatter symbols, you trigger a free spins bonus that comes with hidden chests containing sticky wilds, extra free spins, or coin wins.
Reactoonz (Play'n Go)
- Developer: Play'n Go
- Reels: 7x7
- RTP: 94.51%
- Variance/Volatility: High
- Min-Max Clusters: 5-15+
- Max Win: 4,570x
- Free Spins: No
- Multipliers: Yes
One of the favorites when it comes to Cluster Pays slots in the Playcasino offices, Reactoonz is another title that has gained huge popularity because of its Cluster Pays mechanic. Not only that, but there is always something happening thanks to a Quantum Metre that triggers modifiers, including Incision, Alteration, Implosion, and Demotion. Plus, if you fill all five levels of that meter, you trigger a Gargantuan 3x3 wild symbol.
Seriously, if you're looking for an online slot game that is full of action, not many beat Reactoonz in that respect. Cascading wins and the above modifiers and wild symbols can create huge wins from a single spin.
Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
- Developer: Pragmatic Play
- Reels: 6x5
- RTP: 96.48%
- Variance/Volatility: Medium - High
- Min-Max Clusters: 8-12+
- Max Win: 21,000x
- Free Spins: Yes
- Multipliers: Yes
Sweet Bonanza is another cluster pays slot designed to attract those with a sweet tooth. However, we'd suggest it is more than just a sugary theme that helps this title to remain popular. For a start, it uses a pay-anywhere mechanic coupled with a tumble feature that combined can create payouts of up to 21,000x the spin value.
Adding to that is a free spins feature that has random multipliers of 2x up to 100x. These wild multipliers also stack, so land a few of them, and you could be in for quite the windfall. Plus, you can use an Ante Bonus feature to increase your chance of triggering that bonus game.
Golden Glyph (Quickspin)
- Developer: Quickspin
- Reels: 7x7
- RTP: 96.19%
- Variance/Volatility: Medium
- Min-Max Clusters: 5-15+
- Max Win: 13,185x
- Free Spins: Yes
- Multipliers: Yes
Quickspin is another top online slots developer that has created some memorable Cluster Pays slots over the years. Golden Glyph is one that we would rank among the best due to its bonus features, strong aesthetics, and decent max cash of 13,185x.
Golden Glyph takes place on a 7x7 grid and utilizes a tumble feature and wild symbols that fill up a power meter each time they help to create a win. That meter can lead to one of four Power Ups, including additional wilds, low-symbol removal, re-spins, and the free spins bonus. In the latter, a roaming wild moves around after each spin and gains a 1x multiplier (up to 99x) for each winning combination it helps to create.
Other Best Cluster Pays Slots
How Does the Cluster Pays Mechanic Work? - Matching Symbols Done Differently
To understand how cluster pays slots work, you first have to forget about traditional paylines. There are no pay lines attached to cluster pays at all. On regular slots, you traditionally win payouts by landing a winning combination on a payline across the reels. The combination has to start from the first reel and move along the payline to the right.
Cluster pays slots work totally differently. You form winning combinations by landing matching symbols in a cluster. Typically (though different depending on the slot), a cluster is at least 5 slot symbols connected to each other vertically or horizontally. That cluster of the same symbols can form in any position on the reels. How much you win depends on the cluster size and the size of your bet.
Cluster Wins Slots with Other Bonus Features
Many of the best online slots that use this mechanic also enhance the Cluster Pays gameplay with the addition of other bonuses. When combined with these features, the mechanic ensures a lot of entertainment and the potential to rack up some great wins.
Avalanche/Tumble/Cascade Feature
Probably the most common feature found on cluster pays slots is another mechanic. This mechanic has several names, which will depend on what the software developer labels it. Some will call it a cascading reels/symbol feature, others a tumble feature, and others an avalanche feature.
They each work in similar ways. Winning symbols disappear from the reels to allow new symbols to drop into play. This cluster pays feature allows the potential for additional wins to come from the same spin. If another combination is formed, the process happens again. In many slots, it is possible to reel off multiple wins from a single spin.
Progressive Multipliers
The above tumble feature is sometimes accompanied by a progressive multiplier feature. Sometimes in the base game but often in the free spins modes of cluster slots, this feature allows you to increase a win multiplier after each subsequent cascade win. For example, you may win a 2x multiplier for the second win, and this increases 1x for each subsequent cascade.
Wild Multipliers
Selected games will also reveal a wild symbol in one of the vacated positions on the reels after a cascade. These wild symbols might hold a multiplier that ensures any follow-up win brings increased rewards.
Another reason cluster pays gameplay is so popular is because another feature usually follows it. Called a tumble/tumbling feature, avalanche feature, or cascading reels feature, this removes winning combinations from the reels. New symbols then drop into the newly vacated positions. This could lead to the creation of another winning cluster.
Alongside the cluster pays feature and cascading reels on some cluster pays games is a progressive multiplier feature. Each new cascade/tumble can increase a win multiplier. This will either feature in the base game or play a part in a free spins bonus game.
Cluster Pays Slots Compared to Payline Slots
We all have our opinions about which type of casino games are better than others. This is why it is difficult to compare one type of slot to another. However, we can tell you what Cluster Pays slots do differently from traditional payline slots. Whether you prefer the differences is down to your personal preference.
- No Paylines: Cluster slots do away with the paylines used on traditional slot machines. You no longer have to line up matching symbols across paylines. Instead, you can form clusters of symbols anywhere on the reels.
- Larger Reel Formats: Some cluster slots take place over grids of 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, or bigger. Some even have reel expansion features on top.
- Tumble Reactions/Modifications: Many Cluster Pays slots also have a tumble feature that allows for chain reaction wins. That allows developers to add in additional modifiers or reactions the more winning combinations you land per spin. Progressive multipliers are a common feature used for this.
- No Left/Right Requirement: Traditional slots require symbols to line up from left to right. This is not required on a cluster slot machine, as symbol combinations can form anywhere on the reels.
Our Opinion of Cluster Pays Slots
We have tested many slot mechanics over many years and believe we have the experience and expertise to give our opinion. In short, this mechanic is hugely popular, and it is easy to see why. When coupled with other features and mechanics, it can lead to exciting gameplay and the potential for good payouts. Cascading symbols, progressive multipliers, symbol modifiers, and reactions are just some of the features we think work brilliantly with cluster pays.
Cluster Pays Slots FAQs
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James is a casino games expert on the Playcasino.com editorial team. With many years of professional experience at a leading casino game development company and a passion for playing casino games, James has become a true expert in slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other games.
James uses this expertise to provide reliable, insider advice through his reviews and guides, breaking down the game rules and offering tips to help you win more often. Rely on James's extensive experience for expert advice on your casino play.
