Dead or Alive Slot
Released in 2009, the Dead or Alive slot game was one of the machines that were directly responsible for the rise of the Wild West genre in online slots. The main protagonist in the game is Jesse James, an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla warrior and leader of the James–Younger Gang. He was already a notorious celebrity during his lifetime, but became a legendary figure after Robert Ford famously shot him from the back while he was unarmed and stood on a chair to clean a dusty picture above the mantle in his house.
Other well-known outlaws also make an appearance in Dead or Alive: Billy the Kid, Apache Kid, Laura Bullion “Della Rose” and Belle Starr. Ambient western sounds are clearly inspired by cult movies such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and the graphics are top-notch. The reels are set in some western town with a dark sky above – is it the storm coming or a group of bandits coming to sack whatever can be sacked in this settlement? You need to take on the role of sheriff and un-holster your pistol, embracing the Old West way.
Dead or Alive Slot Features
- RTP: 96.82%
- Betting Range: £0.09 – £18
- Max Win: 3,000x the bet
- Similar Slots: Dead or Alive II, Western Belles, John Wayne, Sticky Bandits
Dead Or Alive Slot: How to Win
Labslots brings to you Dead or Alive which is a 9-pay-line, 3-row, 5-reel video slot. Times were simpler then, obviously. A nice wooden frame outlines the reel grid and the symbols must appear in succession on a win line in order to achieve a payout. The control panel is located below the reels with all the relevant adjustments at hand. Players can set their coin value from 0.01 to 0.50, set the bet level from 1 through 4, turn on Auto-play or Max Bet or take pleasure in the Feature Preview option which replays the bonus round for extra thrill.
The pay-table is divided into low-value (playing cards) and high-value symbols (theme-related). Seeing the good ol’ 10, J, Q, K and A symbols on the reels isn’t overly exciting, but as they can only pay you 100x the stake at best, but if you land a shot of bourbon, a pair of cowboy boots, a hat, a revolver or a sheriff’s badge, you’re in for bigger wins. The sheriff’s badge is the most valuable, delivering a payout of 1,000x the bet for a combination of 5. The “Wanted Dead or Alive” poster is the Wild, paying 1,500x the stake for five of a kind and replacing regular icons for a complete winning combination. The Scatter is the symbol of two pistols and bullets and its role is to trigger the main bonus.
Dead or Alive Bonus Rounds
In Dead or Alive, players can benefit from a Sticky Wilds feature and a Free Spins round. When 3 or more Scatters come into view, the Free Spins activate and you’ll receive a total of 12 free rotations. Any winning combinations achieved during freebies will be doubled. Furthermore, any Wilds that appear during the round will become sticky and will show different outlaws on the poster. Once on screen, they will hold their positions while other reels will spin, increasing the winning potential.
With all 5 Sticky Wilds locked on the reels, showing Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Apache Kid, Laura Bullion “Della Rose” and Belle Starr, another set of 5 free spins will be added. Free Spins can be re-triggered with 3 or more Scatters appearing during the feature. The number of spins is maxed out at 29. The opportunity to win the top payout of 3,000x the bet is in the free spins round with a lot of Sticky Wilds held in place.
Dead or Alive Slot Game: The Verdict & RTP
Dead or Alive video slot is a perfect fit for any fan of western movies or high-volatility slot machines. The RTP is excellent, 96.82%, so you can be sure you’ll get good value for your money. The game packs well-crafted, crisp graphics and solid animations, with some great special features to make players quick on the draw.
The betting range is suited for beginners and low-stake players and the game-play is genuinely fun. NetEnt has produced plenty of iconic slots over the years and Dead or Alive is undoubtedly one of them. A classic of the genre, we see it attracting tough gun-slinging cowboys, outlaws and law defenders alike for many years to come.
