Roaring Forties Slot Machine
If you go into a casino in the UK, you will almost certainly get to play Roaring Forties slots. This is one of the games that seems to feature in nearly all of the Gaminator (Novomatic/Novoline) cabinets.
Roaring Forties is a Novomatic product, a slot with 5 reels and 40 paylines that qualifies as a classic game with a modern touch. The design is striking and the symbols belong to the traditional assortment of fruits and a few familiar objects: lemons, cherries, plums, oranges, grapes and watermelons are joined by lucky 7s, the star and WILD characters.
At first sight, Roaring Forties has no special features at all. It is a basic fruit machine with no free spins, random cash awards or pick-me bonus rounds. The game pays from left to right for 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols on a payline. The star icon can be seen as a Scatter because it is by far the most potentially rewarding symbol. The WILD offers no payouts of its own but helps form winning combinations by replacing other standard symbols when necessary. Furthermore, fruit symbols will appear in stacks — don't be surprised if you see entire reels covered in fruit. Combine that with 40 paying lines and you have a slot which rarely lets you go very long without a winning spin.
Roaring Forties offers a fine top payout of 20,000 coins for five matching star Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels.
Roaring Forties does feature a Gamble option, so if you wish to double your win, this is how you do it — by battling the risk of losing the cash you've just won. There is also an Autoplay button available, so players can sit back and watch the fruit symbols alternate on screen.
Classic Fruit Machine
As soon as you load up Roaring Forties slots, you will see that this is a classic fruit machine. There are no bells or whistles, no flash bonus games — this is a straight-up fruit machine in a typical Euro format.
You will even see that the denomination is in Euros, so presumably the company that made the slot were not thinking it would be appealing to people in the US. That said, it is a genuinely enjoyable game. Roaring Forties is reported to be especially popular in Germany, where the Novomatic Gaminator format has a huge following.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Roaring Forties?
Roaring Forties has an RTP (Return to Player) of approximately 95.1%, which is slightly below the current industry average of 96%. As a classic Novomatic fruit machine with 40 paylines, stacked fruit symbols and a 20,000-coin top prize from five Star Scatters, its enduring popularity across European casino floors speaks to the entertainment value it delivers despite the lower return rate.
Can Roaring Forties be played for real money?
Yes, Roaring Forties is available as a real money slot at land-based casinos and online casinos carrying Novomatic titles across Europe, including in the UK and Germany where it is particularly popular. Players in the USA currently have limited access to Novomatic games for real money online, though the free version can be played worldwide.
How many paylines does Roaring Forties have?
Roaring Forties features 40 paylines on a classic 5-reel layout, paying from left to right for 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols on a payline. The combination of 40 lines and stacked fruit symbols — which can cover entire reels — means winning combinations land with high frequency, making it one of the more active Novomatic fruit machines.
Does Roaring Forties have a bonus round?
Roaring Forties does not have a traditional free spins or pick-me bonus round. Its gameplay is focused entirely on the classic fruit machine experience, with the WILD symbol substituting for other icons and the Star Scatter paying the top prize of 20,000 coins for five anywhere on the reels. The stacked fruit reel mechanic is the closest thing to a built-in bonus feature.
How does the Gamble feature work in Roaring Forties?
After any winning spin in Roaring Forties, the Gamble feature becomes available. Players are taken to a separate screen where they can try to double their win by correctly guessing the colour or suit of a face-down card. Any incorrect guess forfeits the current win, so it is a high-risk, high-reward option best used sparingly.
Can Roaring Forties be played on mobile?
Yes, Roaring Forties is available on mobile devices through Novomatic's HTML5 platform. The simple 40-payline fruit machine layout, stacked reels and Gamble feature all translate well to smartphones and tablets, making it convenient for real money play on the go in markets where it is available online.