Released in 2011, Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt is one of the most popular video slots ever. It’s the global software developer’s first platinum game, with a storyline based on the famous Gonzalo Pizzaro, who leads players on a search for El Dorado.
The sheer popularity of Gonzo’s Quest also spawned an entire series of successful sequels and copies of the game. It even led to the wide adoption of the adventure theme, which became immensely popular in the world of slots.
The cascade-based slot features an Incan jungle pyramid, carved stone totems as reels, and an animated conquistador, Gonzo, cheering you on. In front of the Incan ruins, you’ll also find a familiar grid with 5 reels, 3 rows, and 20 fixed paylines.
However, the game’s avalanche feature is the main attraction, as it brings multipliers of 1x to 5x for the base game and 3x to 15x for the free spins round. Pair these with a max win of 2,500x, and you get a chance to win 12,500x your bet in the base game. For the free spin rounds, that’s a whopping 37,500x max win, which can lead to massive payouts.
If you’d like to learn more about the game’s avalanche feature, free spins, and RTP, our Gonzo’s Quest slot review will answer all your questions. Stick around as we explore one of NetEnt’s top video slots in detail and teach you how to play Gonzo’s Quest slot for beginners.
How to Win the Gonzo’s Quest Slot
Gonzo game’s simple layout includes a 5×3 grid intersected by 20 fixed paylines against a jungle city of ancient Incas. There are 5 bet levels and 6 coin denominations here, so your stakes can range from $0.20 to $50 per spin.
As you tap the spin button, the game’s stone blocks cascade down, featuring 7 regular symbols plus a Free Fall symbol and a wild. To win, you just need to land 3 matching ones across one of the game’s 20 paylines.
Question mark wilds can help you form the winning combo, as they substitute everything apart from the scatter. Meanwhile, Free Fall symbols — the game’s scatters — are represented by the golden circle. Matching 3 of these on the grid triggers 10 free spins in Gonzo’s Quest.
When you win, the winning symbols get destroyed, with new ones automatically cascading to take their place. Moreover, landing consecutive wins creates an avalanche, which is the central feature of the Gonzo game. It activates multipliers of 1x, 2x, 3x, and 5x in the base game or 3x, 5x, 9x, and 15x during free fall, offering the chance to turn low-paying wins into massive ones.
You can also use the game’s autoplay feature to set up 10–1,000 auto spins and adjust win and loss stop limits in the window’s advanced settings submenu.
Gonzo’s Quest Slot Strategies and Tips
While there’s no way to guarantee a win in Gonzo’s Quest, as it’s an RNG-based game of chance, there are specific strategies you can implement to improve your odds. Below is a list of tips that’ll give you the best fighting chance:
- Try the demo: It’s advisable to start with the Gonzo’s Quest slot demo before you bet real money. This mode lets you play Gonzo’s Quest for free. Once you’ve mastered the game’s mechanics, transitioning to real-money gameplay will be much easier.
- Find a decent Gonzo’s Quest bonus: Slot-specific promotions can be valuable when testing a new slot. For example, a Gonzo casino no deposit bonus lets you try the game without risking your funds.
- Play the version that suits you best: While the original Gonzo’s Quest is an iconic video slot, it’s not for everyone. Some players might prefer the Gonzo’s Quest Megaways slot, for example. No matter where your heart is, there are a ton of platforms where you can try Gonzo’s Quest megaways in free play or play the original game with real money.
- Manage your bankroll: Keeping Gonzo’s Quest levels and coin values in line with the size of your bankroll is always a good idea. As per the general rule of thumb, you should set your bets between 1% and 5% of your total bankroll. This way, your funds will last longer, and you can still get pretty significant winds with avalanche multipliers.
Summary
Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt is an exploration-themed slot with enduring popularity. The 2011 game is set on a simple 5×3 grid in front of an ancient Incan city and features cascading reels and a thrilling avalanche mechanic that brings in the multipliers.
The game falls in the medium to high volatility range. It also has a max win of 2,500x, which, combined with the avalanche multipliers, offers a chance for massive payouts. That’s particularly clear in the free fall round, which has the potential to pay 37,500x your bet.
Getting there is no small feat; however, you can use particular tactics to maximize your odds. For example, playing the Gonzo’s Quest slot demo is a great way to learn the game’s ins and outs. Conversely, leveraging bonuses boosts your bankroll and extends your playtime.
FAQ
The Gonzo’s Quest slot RTP is 95.97%, only a fraction below the typical 96% average for slots. Volatility-wise, Gonzo’s Quest falls in the medium to high range — this means the wins are rare, but it pays more than your average slot.
You can play Gonzo’s Quest on any platform that has NetEnt’s games. If you’re having trouble finding one, our site also offers a list of top Gonzo’s Quest casinos where you can test this highly popular exploration-themed slot.
To win in the Gonzo game, you must land 3, 4, or 5 matching stone mask symbols (or wilds) across the game’s 20 fixed paylines. Moreover, the symbols only form a winning combo if they start from the leftmost reel.
If you want to get a feel for the game before trying Mega Moolah’s real money mode, you can do so with virtual credits. These are available through the Mega Moolah demo play in most casinos that feature this progressive jackpot.
