California Gold is the title of this Gold Rush-themed online slot game from NextGen Gaming. This casino slot contains 5 reels and up to 20 paylines in a fun game theme that captures the madness of the California Gold Rush during the mid 1800’s.
There are 2 unique bonus features included in the California Gold online slot. The free spins feature is triggered with scatter symbols and awards players 10 free spins and multipliers, while the Mad Miner feature is an extra bonus game that allows players to win additional cash prizes.
Game Graphics and Themes
California Gold is set against a simple backdrop of sunny blue skies, green hills and dusty plains. There are towering brown mountains in the backdrop. The reels and paylines all have a makeshift, rustic appearance to them, as if they have been fashioned from weathered wooden planks. On the reels are a number of theme-related symbols in a cartoon style, displaying items that the prospectors would have used when searching for gold nuggets in the rivers and mines of California. Shining yellow gold is also featured heavily as a primary theme.
On the Reels
On the reels of California Gold are symbols relating to the Gold Rush theme, including a glowing gas lamp, a map, a wooden barrel, a pickaxe, a cart full of gold, a panning dish, a heavily laden donkey, a cluster of red dynamite sticks, a gold mine and a prospector hidden behind a large rock.
Mad Miner Wild Symbol
The Mad Miner holding a gold nugget serves as the California Gold wild symbol. This wild symbol can substitute all other symbols except for the scatter, and appears only on reels 2, 3 and 4. When this symbol substitutes another to create a winning combination, the combination’s winning value will be doubled. The wild symbol will also trigger the Mad Miner bonus feature when appearing on reels 2, 3 and 4 simultaneously.
Mad Miner Bonus Feature
When the Mad Miner feature is triggered, players will be presented with 4 different gold mines, from which they must choose 1. The bonus game will now begin, and the Mad Miner must travel down the mine’s shaft in a card, collecting as many golden stars labelled ‘Ounces’ as he can along the way. Player’s prize at the end of this feature will be the number of gold ounces collected multiplied by their total bets.
Golden Nugget Scatter Symbol
The shining golden nugget is the game’s scatter symbol. 3 or more of these scatters appearing on the reels will activate the California Gold free spins feature.
Free Spins Feature
Once the free spins have been activated, players will be awarded 10 free spins and a 3x win multiplier that applies to all respective wins. The Mad Miner feature can also be triggered during the free spins feature by landing 3 wild symbols on reels 2, 3 and 4. Players of Canadian casino games can also win more free spins by landing 3 or more gold nugget scatter symbols during the free spins feature.
Gamble Feature
California Gold also offers a gamble feature. Players can use this feature to wager their most recent win, and must correctly guess the colour or suit of a mystery playing card to double or quadruple their bets, respectively.
