Maria's Marigolds Online Slot: Review

Maria's Marigolds, developed by renowned gaming house IGT, is a slot machine released on August 28, 2023 that takes players into the colorful Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Featuring a classic 5-reel, 3-row layout, this slot offers 20 paylines. The RTP is 94.88%, though volatility information is not available. Bets start at a minimum of 20 coins, while the maximum bet limit is 2000 coins. The maximum prize offered is an impressive jackpot of 250 million coins, an enticing goal for all types of players.

Theme and Graphics

Maria's Marigolds slot draws visual and thematic inspiration from the Day of the Dead Mexican holiday, a celebration rich in colors and deep symbolism. The game features vivid and detailed graphics that evoke the starry night and enchanted landscape typical of this festivity. The reels are framed by ancient stone columns, covered with climbing vines and marigold flowers, the latter being particularly significant as they guide the souls of the deceased to the world of the living with their bright color.

The symbols include classic card values like King, Queen, Ace, and numbers, all stylized with fonts reminiscent of traditional Mexican motifs and illuminated by neon light that adds a modern and vibrant touch. Iconic elements of the festival such as decorated skulls and festive skeletons, represented here by a cheerful skeleton with a sombrero playing guitar, recall the famous "calaveras" figures. The rose, also present in various symbols, is another typical decorative element of the Day of the Dead.

The Wild symbol is depicted by a female face adorned with festive makeup and flowers in her hair, clearly inspired by the traditional "Catrina", the elegant lady of the dead show. This figure symbolizes the ephemeral nature of life and the beauty that persists beyond death.

The overall graphics of the slot create an immersive atmosphere, capturing the duality between commemorating the deceased and celebrating life, a central characteristic of the Day of the Dead. The use of vibrant colors and cheerful images reflects this festival's intent to remember loved ones with joy rather than sorrow, a philosophy intrinsically linked to the game itself, which is an invitation to enjoy the gaming experience while remembering ancient traditions.

Bonus Features

Maria's Marigolds slot offers two interesting bonus features: the 2x Wild Feature and the Free Spins Bonus, both designed to increase the player's winning potential.

2x Wild

The 2x Wild Feature activates when one or more Maria symbols participate in a winning combination during normal spins or during Free Spins Bonus. In such an event, the win that includes the Wild symbol - Maria - is doubled, except when the combination consists exclusively of Maria symbols. This symbol acts as a wild, substituting for all other symbols except the Bonus Scatter.

Scatter and Free Spins

The Free Spins Bonus is activated when three or more Bonus Scatter symbols appear on the reels in any position. The player must choose a skull, which will reveal a random number of Free Spins based on the number of Scatter symbols that triggered the bonus, following this scale:

• 5 Scatters award 10 to 20 free spins;
• 4 symbols award 8 to 18 free spins;
• 3 symbols award 5 to 15 free spins.

During Free Spins, there is a win multiplier that starts at 1x and increases by 1x with each spin. Wins obtained during Free Spins are multiplied by the coin value and the current multiplier, except for combinations that include only the Maria symbol without bonus multiplier.

The reels used during the Free Spins Bonus are richer compared to those in the main game, offering greater winning possibilities.

The feature can be reactivated multiple times, up to a maximum of 50 Free Spins per bonus.

Similar Slots to Maria's Marigolds

Those looking for interesting alternatives to Maria's Marigolds can try:

• Calaveras by Capecod
• Esqueleto Explosivo by Thunderkick
• Muertos Multiplier by Pragmatic Play

Pros and Cons of Maria's Marigolds Slot

IGT's Maria's Marigolds slot is a vibrant and colorful tribute to the Day of the Dead tradition. Its inspired graphics and immersive setting are a clear strength, perfectly coupled with innovative gameplay features. With an RTP of 94.88% and a maximum winning potential of 250 million coins, it presents enticing opportunities for players. The bonuses, including the 2x Wild Feature and Free Spins Bonus with increasing multipliers, add another level of excitement and winning potential.

Among potential drawbacks, the lack of volatility information may leave players uncertain about the frequency and size of wins. Additionally, the RTP is notably below the industry average, which might discourage players who prefer to start with more advantageous statistics.