Thundering Buffalo Slot Machine

If you are a fan of the classic IGT game, Siberian Storm, you should really love this new and improved version called Thundering Buffalo. The basic game is the same as Siberian Storm, with most of the differences being the graphics and sounds. You can play the game here for free, with no download required and no pop-up ads.

We also have Free Buffalo Slots game by Aristocrat - this is the one that's the most popular in Las Vegas and is well worth taking a look at too.

Out of 10 million buffaloes, only one white calf is born - these beautiful animals are not just extremely rare, but also have a status of sacred creatures, much like cats in Ancient Egypt or cows in India. The legend about white buffaloes' divine nature and their elevated status in Native American culture and religion is explained with a legend which describes the first encounter of the white buffalo and a Lakota Sioux tribe.

Hungry and exhausted due to the lack of food, the tribe sent two young hunters to explore the surroundings; after a while, the men saw a young woman who advised them to go back to their camp and announce her arrival. The woman educated the Lakota Sioux people about the nature of universe and mysteries of the land, turning into a white calf before finally leaving the tribe that was at that moment suddenly surrounded with herds of buffaloes.

Sadly, the legend is unknown to a lot of non-Native Americans and soon, buffaloes as a species will be very close to becoming a thing of legend. Let us just hope that High 5 Games and their Thundering Buffalo slot will inspire us to cherish these magnificent creatures and remind us of the void left when a lovely and powerful animal species disappear from the face of the earth...

Gameplay, betting range and return to player percentage

Thundering Buffalo has 5 reels, 3-4-5-4-3 row-system, and 720 ways-win structure; the bets start at $0.50 with x1 multiplier and can be adjusted manually.

The maximum bet is capped at $500 with an x1000 multiplier, which can be selected using the relevant tab on the left - by selecting the multiplier level, the players will automatically increase the bets and vice versa. Expected return to player percentage is under 95% which is not surprising, considering the max bet and x1000 multiplier.

The players can also activate the Replay feature as well as AutoPlay mode which will activate up to 25 automated spins. The Auto feature can be stopped manually or when the auto spins expire.

Thundering Buffalo bonus rounds and special features

Free Spins icon combination on connecting reels will unlock the Free Spin feature with 8 extra rounds. More spins can be awarded if the triggering combination lands on multiple reels and all Free Spins are added together and activated as a session of up to 240 spins.

The Wild icon can only land on reels 2 - 4, replacing all symbols except for the Fire Scatter icon. Picking the Scatters will double your stake and if you manage to collect 5, the stake will be increased by x50.

Strong and weak points of Thundering Buffalo slot

The theme of the game is powerful, but the graphics and visual quality are far from being a match, which is quite surprising, having in mind that the game was released not so long ago - in 2015.

If you were hoping for some interesting bonus features, you will probably be sorely disappointed to discover that Free Spins are pretty much all that you will be getting.

Although Thundering Buffalo has a lower betting limit of $0.50, which makes it available to all kinds of players, playing with high stakes makes much more sense with this slot - but only if you have a budget that can take it, otherwise the game can leave you high and dry.

The possibility of hitting a longer Free Spins session can offer some comfort but unfortunately, that's not really enough to engage or challenge the players who are used to more dynamic slots with more special features to choose from or at least a higher return to player percentage rate.

The Las Vegas version is exactly the same as the free one we have here, as far as gameplay is concerned. You will not see Thundering Buffalo in all the Vegas casinos, but it is in most of them (at the time of writing) and is just as good as the Siberian Storm game, so if you love that one, you will love this one too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Thundering Buffalo slots?

The RTP (Return to Player) of Thundering Buffalo slots is under 95%, which is below the typical industry average. This is partly a consequence of the high maximum bet of $500 and the x1000 multiplier potential. Players should bear the lower RTP in mind when deciding on their session budget.

Can I play Thundering Buffalo slots for real money?

Yes, Thundering Buffalo is available to play for real money at regulated online casinos. The Thundering Buffalo real money slot accepts bets from $0.50 up to $500 per spin. As a High 5 Games title, it is most widely available at licensed UK online casinos, as well as in land-based casinos across Las Vegas.

How many ways to win does Thundering Buffalo have?

Thundering Buffalo features 720 ways to win, thanks to its 3-4-5-4-3 reel row configuration. This replaces traditional fixed paylines, meaning any matching symbol combination on adjacent reels from left to right counts as a win regardless of its exact position on each reel.

How are free spins triggered in Thundering Buffalo?

Free spins in Thundering Buffalo are triggered by landing Free Spins icons on connecting reels. The base award is 8 free rounds, but if the triggering combination spans multiple reels, additional spins are added together for a potential maximum session of up to 240 free spins.

What does the Wild symbol do in Thundering Buffalo?

The Wild in Thundering Buffalo can only appear on reels 2, 3 and 4, where it substitutes for all symbols except the Fire Scatter. Landing Scatters alongside the Wild doubles your stake, and collecting 5 Scatters increases the stake multiplier by 50x.

How does Thundering Buffalo compare to Siberian Storm?

Thundering Buffalo is based on the same core gameplay framework as IGT's Siberian Storm, with the main differences being the theme, graphics and sound design. The 720 ways-to-win structure and overall game mechanics are very similar, so fans of Siberian Storm will feel immediately at home with Thundering Buffalo.