Astro Cat Deluxe Slot

Astro Cat Deluxe in a Nutshell

Lightning Box Games has teamed up with Incredible Technologies to produce a revamp of one of the most eccentric games on the market. Astro Cat Deluxe is an Asian/space-themed hybrid that is about as bonkers as it sounds. There are technically five reels here, but the middle Reelfecta reel is a 4×4 grid where all the magic happens. With a solid RTP of 96.46% and low to medium volatility, Astro Cat Deluxe is ideal for beginner players looking for a quirky and original slot game.

• Software dev – Lightning Box Games & Incredible Technologies 
• Type – Reelfecta Slot
• Reels – 5
• Paylines – 1,296
• Min bet – $0.50
• Max bet – $50.00
• Release date – June 2019
• RTP – 96.46%
• Variance – Low/Medium
• Rows – 3/4
• Min coins per line – $0.01
• Max coins per line – $1.00
• Max payout – 10,000x

Features

• Free spins – Y
• Progressive – Y
• Bonus rounds – Y
• Multipliers – Y
• Mobile – Y
• Wild symbol – Y
• Scatter symbol – Y

Additional features

Astro Cat Deluxe utilizes the Reelfecta game mechanic to offer something different when it comes to the set up of the slot reels. While there appear to be four central reels in the middle of two pairs of reels on the left and right sides, this 4×4 set actually acts as one giant reel.

There are 16 individual positions within the Reelfecta, but each symbol can only be used once per winning combination. It’s a fun way to mix up the usual slot reel formula and will certainly keep you on your toes.

Ratings

• Gameplay, RTP and variance – 8
• Bonus features – 8
• Mobile and tablet experience – 8
• Design, graphics, and sound – 8

Gameplay, RTP, and Variance

The inclusion of the giant Reelfecta section instantly gives this slot an exciting feel, with 1,296 different ways to win. However, it’s all fairly straightforward until you reach the bonus rounds, so new players will be able to pick up the basic gameplay easily enough.

The 96.46% RTP rate here is just above average, but it’s important to remember that a percentage point here or there won’t be noticeable in individual gaming sessions — in fact, the RTP is based on millions of spins and certainly offers no guarantees. 

The low to medium volatility, meanwhile, is more noticeable when playing Astro Cat. On the whole, players are likely to enjoy small but reasonably frequent wins, particularly when compared to a higher volatility game. This slot is therefore a suitable option for players with smaller bankrolls, or those of you who are more risk-averse. That said, there are still some big wins up for grabs here through the game’s bonus rounds.

Bonus Features

So, what do the bonus features entail in Astro Cat Deluxe? There’s a fair bit to unpack, but the Sky Wheel is undoubtedly the main event. You’ll need to land five or more of the Sky Wheel Scatter symbols to unlock this feature, and it only appears on the outer positions of the Reelfecta reel. Spin the Sky Wheel to be in with a shout of winning one of the four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major and Grand. The rest of the wedges on the wheel offer payouts of 2.4x, 3x, 3.5x, 4x, 4.5, 6x, 10x and 24x your bet.

If you don’t win a jackpot, you’ll have the chance to spin the inner wheel where there are multipliers up to 5x or a Respin up for grabs. During the Respins, either a Respin Wild Cat or Poison symbol will appear in the outer section of the Reelfecta reel. Respin Wild Cats substitute for all other symbols except the Sky Wheel, and become locked for the remaining Respins if you land one. You’ll also be awarded an extra Respin, with up to 12 available in total. The Poison symbol won’t appear during the first three spins, but if it does after that, you’ll receive a 2x payout and the Respins will end.

The Respins can end with a bigger bang though, as players who manage to fill all 12 outer positions of the Reelfecta with Locked Wild Cats will unlock a Mega Spin — here all 16 positions will be made Wild for a huge win potential.

Mobile and Tablet Experience

Astro Cat is available to play on mobile and tablet at a wide range of US online casinos. The game performs well on mobile — the gameplay is smooth and it’s easy to navigate around the different features. There’s easy access to the options menu where you can set your stake, and the information page where you can view the paytable and descriptions of the bonuses. The only downside is the mobile version might not fill your entire screen if you have a larger smartphone display.

Design, Graphics, and Sound

Astro Cat Deluxe has a clear identity and offers a fresh and exciting aesthetic, which is welcome with so many duplicated themes out there on the slots market. Combining an anime-style cat and other East Asian imagery with an outer space theme, Lightning Box Games attempted a truly whacky hybrid with Astro Cat, which in our eyes paid off. The more traditional aspects such as the alluring, sitar-heavy soundtrack complement the flashy reels and stunning night-time backdrop. 

The soundtrack on the deluxe version of Astro Cat is one of the best we’ve heard on a slot game, but it’s unfortunate how short the loop is, as this does lead to it becoming quite repetitive. When you make it to the Sky Wheel, however, suitably upbeat dance music will come to the fore to cheer you on in this moment of excitement. Overall, all the components of this package work well together, all the while maintaining a quirky and eccentric edge.

License and Audit

Astro Cat Deluxe has been passed for use at online casino sites by licensing bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. A wide range of casino operators host titles by the developer of this game, such as Play Now, 888 Casino, Fanduel, LeoVegas, and DraftKings.

Lightning Box’s slots are also pre-licensed and approved by independent gaming regulators, such as Gaming Laboratories International, Technical Systems Testing, and eCOGRA.

How it Compares to Other Lightning Box Games Titles

Comparing Astro Cat Deluxe to the likes of the Australian outback-themed Jackaroo Jack, it’s clear that Lightning Box doesn’t shy away from trying out new themes. Again, the upbeat country-style soundtrack really hits the spot in drawing you in.

While both slots offer over 1,000 ways to win, Astro Cat Deluxe’s RTP is higher — 96.46% compared to 95.62%. The volatility is pretty similar in each game, but Jackaroo Jack offers slightly riskier gameplay, sitting solidly in the ‘medium’ category. 

It’s easy to spot that these games share a developer — both sets of reels are set upon really well-crafted backdrops. However, Astro Cat Deluxe edges it for us thanks to its originality. 

How it Compares to Other Slots on the Market

So what about the wider competition? With its Reelfecta mechanic and 1,296 ways to win, Astro Cat Deluxe feels like something of a diluted Megaways game. For some, a classic Irish theme and up to 117,649 ways to win in something like Barcrest’s Rainbow Riches Megaways will feel like the real deal. That said, many players will enjoy a compromise between the mania of Megaways’ shapeshifting reels and a standard slot, and Astro Cat arguably fills that space nicely.

What We Think

Having addressed Astro Cat Deluxe’s full range of features, it’s clear to see there’s plenty to keep slots fans entertained. The charming theme is a great hook to grab players in, while the Sky Wheel bonus and quadruple jackpots keep them invested. The aesthetics of this game are a real highlight for us, though they may not be everyone’s preferred style. What’s for certain is the 10,000x stake jackpot is a tasty offering, while the low volatility is ideal for players that enjoy frequent wins.