Beetle Mania Slot Machine

The Beetle Mania fruit machine has become a huge hit in casinos all over Europe and it has been hinted that the game might be coming to Vegas soon. The characters in Beetle Mania are really cute, especially when the beetle blinks at you and also, when you hit a winning line, you get some beautiful and funny cartoon animations.

Did you know that beetles and bugs are actually quite different? Not that it makes a lot of difference when you are standing on a chair with a rolled up newspaper, screaming your lungs out and frantically trying to kill whatever it is that's crawling up your leg. Before you try to terminate one of these little guys (bugs or beetles) just remember that our beautiful planet could do without me and you but not without insects, which can be used as a common name for both groups.

Scientists have revealed that if insects were to disappear, the entire planet would pretty much fall apart - for starters, 80% of plants would be unable to reproduce without the help of insects and it would directly affect the diet of humans and animals.

So, the next time you decide to squash a bug and spray it with a can full of insecticide, remember that you need them and they don't need you. Novomatic has done their share of honouring our little friends and Beetle Mania introduces The Bee, The Butterfly, The Ladybird, The Caterpillar, and The Snail as the main symbols.

The bet level is adjusted through the Choose Coin button located in the left corner, at the bottom of the game screen. Right next to it the players can see the Paytable menu and select the number of active paylines. To activate all the lines and wager the max amount, the players can also use one of the two command buttons to the right - Bet Max and Bet One tabs.

With all 10 lines activated and the coin value adjusted to $10, the maximum wager is capped at $900 per spin (9 coins per line) and the slot offers around 94% return to player percentage. Selecting the Automatic Start icon will initiate auto play which will last until the winning combination is formed, giving players a choice between the Gamble Feature and collecting the winnings.

Beetle Mania bonus rounds and special features

Opting for the Gamble Feature will transfer the player onto a different screen, with a card facing down - for every correct guess of the card colour, the player will double the amount won. Five guesses in a row are allowed and the player is then returned to the main screen.

The Bee icon is the Wild and can, therefore, substitute all other symbols except for the Ladybird and Musical Note icon. Three Note symbols will activate 10 Free Games, while the Ladybird on the 3rd reel doubles the won amount and the potential payout.

Strong and weak points of Beetle Mania slot

The drawbacks of the slot are pretty obvious - the house edge is pretty high and there aren't plenty of bonus features. Apart from the Ladybird multiplier, Free Spins are pretty much the only thing that you can expect. What's even more disappointing is that the Free Spins cannot be re-triggered.

On the plus side, the bonus rounds have a decent hit frequency and there's always a chance of doubling the winnings if the Ladybird lands on the reel or if you decide to take a risk and use the Gamble Feature.

This is definitely not a slot that will end up under Hot or Popular category in an online casino, however, the appeal of Beetle Mania cannot be denied and you are likely to revisit this unpretentious game, especially if you are a fan of simple graphics or if you don't mind a lower return to player percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Beetle Mania slots?

Beetle Mania by Novomatic has a return to player (RTP) of around 94%, which is below the current industry average. The higher house edge is one of the game's acknowledged drawbacks and is worth bearing in mind when playing Beetle Mania for real money, particularly over longer sessions.

Can I play Beetle Mania slots for real money?

Yes, Beetle Mania is available to play for real money at Novomatic-powered casinos in Europe and the UK. The maximum wager is $900 per spin with all 10 lines active and the coin value at $10. Beetle Mania real money slots are particularly popular across mainland Europe, where Novomatic fruit machines have a large following.

How are free spins triggered in Beetle Mania?

Free spins in Beetle Mania are triggered by landing three Musical Note symbols on the reels. This activates 10 Free Games. Unlike many modern slots, the free spins in Beetle Mania cannot be re-triggered, so the 10 games are all you receive per bonus activation.

What is the Ladybird feature in Beetle Mania?

The Ladybird is a special symbol in Beetle Mania that, when it lands on the third reel, doubles the amount won and the potential payout for that spin. It acts as a multiplier rather than a standard Wild, giving the base game an additional layer of win potential alongside the free spins bonus.

How does the Gamble Feature work in Beetle Mania?

The Gamble Feature in Beetle Mania is available after any winning spin. Players are taken to a separate screen where they must guess the colour of a face-down card. A correct guess doubles the win. Players can gamble up to five times in a row on the same win, potentially multiplying it significantly - though an incorrect guess forfeits the amount.

What is the Wild symbol in Beetle Mania?

The Bee icon serves as the Wild in Beetle Mania and can substitute for all other symbols on the reels except for the Ladybird and the Musical Note Scatter. It is the most important symbol for completing winning combinations in both the base game and during the free spins round.