Flame Dancer Slot Machine
The Flame Dancer from Novomatic is one of their first ever games to include expanding wilds. This really cool feature sets it apart from the classic (Gaminator) slots you get in most of the casinos.
Fire dancing can be traced back to Aztec civilisation, where the dancers used movements and fire to honour Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire and volcanoes.
The same type of dancing is a part of religious and cultural set of beliefs in a number of different civilisations across the globe; the spiritual context has arguably weakened through time, but the tradition is preserved and we still have the opportunity to witness the skills of amazing Fire Dancers who perform in front of live audiences in Mexico, Bali and Hawaii.
A fragment of this spectacle is shown in Novomatic's Flame Dancer, a 5-reel and 20 payline slot, inspired by many wonders of Hawaii and featuring the most notable symbols of this beautiful country - a Volcano, Hawaiian Guitar with the flower garland, Coconut Drink and Hawaiian Pahu Drums.
Gameplay, betting range and return to player percentage
The number of paylines in Flame Dancer can be adjusted manually, through game commands placed at the bottom of the page. This means that the betting range can be pretty wide, as it enables the player to play on a single line with only the minimum coin value or to activate all the lines and increase the coin value to the very maximum. Once you set up your wager, you will be able to speed up the game through Auto Play or increase your winning after every successful spin by means of the Gamble feature.
The bets start at $0.01 and can be increased to $40 per spin; for the best results, increasing the wager amount and playing on all lines is recommendable.
All symbols become payable in the combination of three, starting from left to right. If the wild symbol is part of the combo, it will act as the missing icon and complete the string.
Scatter icons cannot be replaced by the Wild, which is also the only icon that pays both ways.
The highest payout is generated for 5 Volcano icons on adjacent reels, awarding 4,000 coins and the theoretical return to player is estimated at 95.29%.
Flame Dancer bonus rounds and special features
The Wild Fire Dancer symbol will only land on reels 2 and 4 and expand across the entire reel. As already mentioned, the icon acts as a substitute for all other icons, apart from the Flaming Batons Scatter that trigger bonus rounds. When at least 3 Scatters land on the reels, 7 Free Spins will be awarded.
During the extra spins, the Wild icon will transform all higher value symbols (Volcano, Pahu Drums, Guitar and Coconut) into Wilds, significantly increasing the odds of forming a high paying combination.
Strong and weak points of Flame Dancer Slot
The selection of theme and the slot's visual representation will not be enough to keep you engaged for a very long time. Apart from the Free Spins and extra Wilds, not a lot is going on here.
Even if you manage to land plenty of Wilds while the bonus rounds are in progress, chances are that they will not be transformed into Volcanoes or Pahu Drums and smaller wins is what one will get most of the time.
Closing thoughts
An original and unique theme on one side and the lack of interesting bonus features on the other is pretty much how this game can be described. So much more could have been done with Flame Dancers and the notion of what could have been will definitely stand in a way of simply enjoying the game for what it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Flame Dancer slots?
Flame Dancer by Novomatic has a theoretical RTP (Return to Player) of 95.29%, which is below the current industry average. As a Novomatic Gaminator title with expanding Wilds and a 7-spin free spins bonus, the game's return rate reflects its land-based origins. The Wild transformation mechanic during free spins is where the game's best win potential lies.
Can I play Flame Dancer slots for real money?
Yes, Flame Dancer is available to play for real money at Novomatic-powered online casinos, primarily in Europe and the UK. Stakes range from $0.01 to $40 per spin across up to 20 adjustable paylines. The Flame Dancer real money slots game includes the expanding Wild Fire Dancer feature and the 7 free spins bonus with Wild transformations.
How does the Expanding Wild work in Flame Dancer?
The Wild Fire Dancer symbol only appears on reels 2 and 4, but when it does, it expands to cover the entire reel. The expanded Wild substitutes for all regular symbols except the Flaming Batons Scatter. Notably, the Wild is the only symbol that pays in both directions - left to right and right to left - adding extra win potential when it expands.
How do free spins work in Flame Dancer?
Free spins in Flame Dancer are triggered by landing 3 or more Flaming Batons Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels, awarding 7 free spins. During the bonus, the Wild icon transforms all higher-value symbols - Volcano, Pahu Drums, Hawaiian Guitar and Coconut Drink - into additional Wilds on each spin. This Wild transformation mechanic significantly increases the number of Wilds active during the bonus round.
What is the maximum win in Flame Dancer slots?
The highest payout in Flame Dancer is 4,000 coins for landing five Volcano symbols on adjacent reels. The Wild Fire Dancer is also among the highest-paying symbols and pays in both directions. With a maximum bet of $40 per spin and 20 paylines active, the practical maximum win per spin is determined by the coin value and number of active paylines at the time.
Does Flame Dancer have a Gamble feature?
Yes, Flame Dancer includes the standard Novomatic Gamble feature, available after every winning base game spin. Players can choose to gamble their win by guessing the colour of a hidden card - a correct guess doubles the win. This feature is optional and the win can be collected at any time instead of gambling it.