China Shores slot review
China Shores slot machine brings all the treasures of Asia right to your screen. Konami have pulled out all the stops to create a colorful adventure spread across five reels and 30 pay lines.
As can be expected given the theme, the panda is given massive importance in this slot. But do payouts and bonuses also get the same importance?
Our experts take a deep dive into features, audiovisual, and more in this China Shores slot review. Read on to see if it’s worth your while.
Highlights
| RTP | 96.10% |
| Stakes range | 150 |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max win | 4062x |
| Jackpots | 1 |
| Number of reels | 5 |
| Number of rows | 3 |
| Number of paylines | 30 |
| Software provider | Konami |
| Slot type | Video slots |
| Slot theme | Fantasy |
| Launch date | 15/04/2016 |
General ratings
China Shores casinos – play for real
This Konami slot may be less popular than that other Asian-themed classic, China River, but it’s still very much present at many US online casinos and sweeps cash casinos. Here are our expert’s top picks where to play China Shores slot machine.
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
87/100 Games rating by Paul P. 92% Playscore based on |
$20 Bonus Dollars + 100% up to $1,000
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
13 payment methods 
|
|
|
85/100 Games rating by Vule P. 91% Playscore based on |
100% up to $1,000 + $25 Free Play
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
14 payment methods
|
|
1
|
96/100 Games rating by Paul P. 87% Playscore based on |
Up to 120,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
3 payment methods
|
|
2
|
95/100 Games rating by Vule P. 80% Playscore based on |
35,000 Gold Coins + 5 Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
6 payment methods
|
|
3
|
95/100 Games rating by Paul P. 82% Playscore based on |
200,000 Gold Coins + 3 Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
15 payment methods
|
|
4
|
95/100 Games rating by Paul P. 89% Playscore based on |
30,000 Lucky Coins + 4 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
5 payment methods
|
|
5
|
92/100 Games rating by Claire S. 89% Playscore based on |
400% Welcome Package Discount, 1M FC + 1M GC Raffle Entry, 20 Weekly Free Spins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
6 payment methods
|
|
6
|
92/100 Games rating by Paul P. 81% Playscore based on |
Up to 400,000 Gold Coins + 40 free Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
8 payment methods
|
|
7
|
92/100 Games rating by Paul P. 83% Playscore based on |
Up to 5000 Gold Coins + 0.6 Sweepstake Cash and 3 Treasure Chests
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
10 payment methods
|
|
8
|
91/100 Games rating by Paul P. 83% Playscore based on |
15,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
4 payment methods
|
|
9
|
91/100 Games rating by Paul P. 90% Playscore based on |
57,000 Gold Coins + 27.5 free Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
4 payment methods
|
|
10
|
91/100 Games rating by Paul P. 79% Playscore based on |
1,000,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
5 payment methods
|
China Shores slot is present at many real money online casinos and social casinos such as Borgata casino. However, our experts awarded top scores for this game to the Tropicana site because it is so easy to locate the game thanks to the casino’s simple search function. If you’re after a specific slot you don’t want to spend ages trying to find it, right? Add the stellar reputation and the decent online casino bonus offered by the site, and you can’t ask for much more, really.
As for other online gambling sites, Borgata online casino also scores high, because it offers new players not only a match deposit but also free spins on another slot. Double the fun is always good.
China Shores slot payouts (volatility & RTP)
The RTP for China Shores slot stands at 96.10%, which is slightly higher-than-average and competes well with other popular games like Cleopatra slot and Butterfly Staxx. Volatility is between medium to high, which means that Konami is playing it safer than, say, Danger High Voltage slot and trying to attract a wide range of players.
Payouts facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.10% |
| Maximum win | 300,000x |
| Highest-paying symbol | Chinese inscription |
| Volatility | Medium to high |
The RTP for China Shores slot machine is actually higher than the average Konami slot. African Diamond, for example, offers a mere 94.01%, while Ancient Dragon goes even lower with a 93% RTP. So if it’s your first time playing this casino software provider, it’s a good place to start.
Payouts rating
- High payouts on max bet
- High variance ups the thrill factor
- RTP quite average
I’ll be honest. I’m no longer impressed by slots with an average RTP. Give me a good session with the likes of Bloodsuckers slot’s 98%, or even Mega Joker’s 99% RTP, and I’m raring to go. Having said that, I was very willing to give China Shores game a chance, because I do like a good thrill and the variance leans towards high enough to keep me hooked, waiting for a windfall. This does make up somewhat for the ‘meh’ RTP.
The maximum payout is 300,000 coins and if you play max bet and wager the full 300 coins per spin, you stand a chance for a decent payout. I’m not too fond of having to risk high and use up so much bankroll to try and get at the higher wins. If you’re a risk-all kinda player, this might work for you – the rest of us will probably go in more cautiously. Still, this is a matter of personal preference. In reality, China Shores slot does deliver a decent enough deal in terms of payouts, so I won’t skimp on the score here.
China Shores stake limits
China Shores slot will appeal to all kinds of players, including those with a smaller bankroll with a bet range that starts at 0.30 and goes up to 60.00. Just choose your coin, set the bet level and spin. The minimum bet per spin is $0.30 and the maximum bet is $150.
Stakes facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum bet | $0.30 |
| Maximum bet | $150 |
| Adjustable paylines | No |
| Bet per line | N/A |
| Buy feature | N/A |
While the max bet of $150 is not among the lowest, China Shores slot machine may not be the ideal choice for high-rollers. There’s an autoplay option for those who want to take a more chilled approach to playing, where you can set your desired coin amount up to 60.00.
Stake limits rating
- Ideal for low-rollers
- Bet up to 60.00
- Autospin option available
- No real options for high-rollers
I do enjoy a slot that gives me hours of fun even on those days when my bankroll is quite weak, and China Shores slot machine is one of them. The entry level bet satisfies my more cautious instincts, but I also appreciate that when I’m in the mood for a bit of a thrill I can increase the number of coins per bet considerably, with 60 coins per payline.
I think my favorite thing about playing China Shores slot machine is its flexibility, where I can play around with coin value and bet value to suit my mood and reach the payout potential I’m after.
China Shores bonus features
This is where things are bumped up a notch or two as China Shores slot machine bonus features include a fixed jackpot, a bonus game, scatters, respins and cascading reels, each increasing the potential payouts.
Bonus facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wilds | Yes |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Other special symbols | Yin-Yang |
| Gamble feature | Yes |
| Reel features | Cascading |
| Free spins | Yes |
| Respins | Yes |
| Multipliers | Yes |
| Other bonus features | Balance of Fortune, Bonus game, Wild Panda, Scatter |
Look out for the Yin-Yang symbols to trigger the free spins. You’ll receive between 8 and 15 free spins with every line of 3, 4 or 5 symbols. The maximum is 450 free spins on every spin. Upon triggering the free spins, players are given a choice between landing even more free spins or exchanging these for a cash bonus. All wins when the free spins are in play are doubled.
Bonus features rating
- Retriggering of free spins
- Balance of Fortune game
- Doubled wins on free spins
- You’re still limited by the max bet
I find that China Shores slot really comes into its own with the bonuses. Big ups to Konami here for getting really creative and coming up with a system that is both exciting and can actually land you some good wins. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the respins and the credits quite make up for the poor showing in terms of RTP and normal payouts.
The fixed jackpot can go up to just over $15,000 in theory, but this isn’t what gets me excited. I’m much more into discovering the Yin-Yang symbols which open the door to some pretty cool features, with free spins that can transform into mystery credits. I have to say that can be problematic if you suffer from indecisiveness. A couple of times I caught myself pausing and staring at the screen, wondering what would happen if I opted for that mystery prize. I mean, it does go up to 319,500 coins and the return is immediate.
I found myself resisting its allure, however. After all, the number of free spins are a sure thing, but the credit amount isn’t, and I wasn’t in the mood for getting lumped with a meager 40 coins, which is the minimum that you can get in this case.
I do love that despite the fact the initial number of maximum free spins is 15, this can grow so much higher if I trigger the respins. I mean, I know that the likelihood is very small, but I kept picturing a scene where every free spin roll keeps giving me more free spins in an endless Groundhog Day of super spins. Fun times.
Bonus features
Wild Panda
Has the power to replace all icons, including the scatter. It appears on the 3rd, 4th and 5th reels.
Scatter
Represented by the Yin-Yang symbol, it can appear on all reels and trigger up to 15 free spins.
Free Spins
To trigger China Shores free spins features while playing, you need to drop three Ying Yang symbol scatters on the payline. After matching them on the pay line, you’ll be rewarded with eight, 10 or 15 free spins. If you consistently drop more than three scatters, your rewarded payout will be five, 20, or 100 credits.
Bonus Game
Land three or more Yin-Yang emblems and you open the door to a bonus round with two options. You can either choose the free round or move on to the Balance of Fortune game.
Balance of Fortune
You can exchange your China Shores free spins for a credit prize of anywhere between 40 and 319,500 coins, or you can continue playing on free spins mode. To quality for this you will need to have 20 or more free spins.
China Shores slot audiovisuals
China Shores slot machine comes with a typically Asian setting, with the panda and the bamboo habitat set against a massive mountain. Symbols are in keeping with the theme of the game, ranging from Chinese lanterns to golden tortoises, urns and Chinses letters across the paytable.
Audiovisuals facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Asian, Jungle, Animals |
| Graphics | Modern |
| Animations | Yes |
| Sound quality | Clear |
| Mobile compatibility | Excellent |
The design of the China Shores slot machine combines the vibe of ancient China with a modern, colorful setting, quite typical of Konami slots which usually give a good showing in terms of design.
China Shores slot has an upbeat soundtrack, but it plays very sporadically. For most of the time the only sound you’ll hear is the spinning of the reels.
Audiovisuals rating
- Cool animations and graphics
- Vibrant colors
- Nothing groundbreaking
Ok, I’ll confess to a fondness for this lovable panda character. At the end of the day I’m here to have fun, this panda is incredibly cute and the bold colors give me a good vibe as I’m spinning the reels. Konami are masters at keeping things simple, while still creating a buzz.
The design behind China Shores slot can best be compared to that of Adorned Peacock, which also uses the formula of relatively simple illustrations and loud colors to really cool effect. Fine, no-one’s going to claim this is genius or that it reaches the inspired design of other, more polished slots with the same theme, such as Kalamba’s Hong Bao. But if simple and effective is what you’re after, this will do the job nicely.
China Shores game layout
China Shores slot comes with a very simple interface that is easy to figure out in a couple of seconds. The display is split into three parts: the control panel, the video display and the keypad.
Layout facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Reel layout | 5×3 |
| Autoplay | Simple |
| Turbo mode | Yes |
| Ease of use | Very easy |
| Game history | Yes |
The most useful buttons on China Shores slot machine are the Max Bet button, which gives you a shortcut to placing the highest bet possible, the Auto Play button and the normal Spin button, which is right between the other two buttons. You can autoplay up to 200 spins.
Game layout rating
- Autoplay up to 200 spins
- Max bet button available
- Paylines not adjustable
If I’m after an easy hour or two where I can lay down some spins without too much brainwork, China Shores slot machine fits the bill beautifully. I like the fact that the autoplay goes up quite high. Just lying back and letting your mind wander as the reels do the work must be one of the most underrated pleasures ever.
I like the positioning of the three top buttons too. They are easy to find from the get-go. No need to spend any time getting familiar with this slot, I can just go all in. Always a plus point from where I’m sitting. Changing your bets is just as simple and the handy control panel at the bottom-left of the screen gives me the entire paytable with one click. Thumbs up from me.
Expert verdict: would we play China Shores again?
I might not be giving the highest score ever in this China Shores slot review, but don’t be fooled. If I had to describe this game it’d be “simple, classic fun”. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Is it too simple to keep me hooked? Is this a one shot wonder that I’ll quickly forget all about, distracted by some high-flying offering from bigger and fancier providers?
Honestly, I don’t think so. While it’s not going to reach my top five, I’ll probably be giving China Shores slot another few goes before too long, simply because it’s so damned relaxing to play. I’m not even annoyed by the fact that the music is weirdly sporadic. It’s all fine, because that friendly panda keeps me smiling.
Though let’s not forget the biggest cherry on the cake – the bonus features. I put down my somewhat unexpected attraction to this slot to the fact that no two rounds are the same and this is mostly due to the impact of the bonus round. Free spins can literally take me anywhere, and I do like me some unpredictability.
- Cool bonus features
- Simple interface
- Reputable software provider
- Patchy soundtrack
- No adjustable paylines
- High-rollers won’t be satisfied
China Shores FAQs
Can I play China Shores free?
Yes, many of our top-rated casinos offer free versions of their slots. You can also play China Shores free on our demo version.
Where can I play China Shores for real money?
For sure, once you’ve gotten the hang of the game on the demo version you can decide to start playing at one of the many US casino sites. Our experts have compiled their top choices to bring you the best China Shores casino.
How do I play China Shores slot machine?
Simply head over to one of our recommended US online casinos and set up your casino account. Then search for the slot and launch the game. Many casinos will allow you to try it out in free play before wagering real money.
Can I get China Shores free spins?
Yes, as soon as you trigger the bonus round you will receive up to 15 spins. These can, in turn, trigger even more respins. In this review you’ll find more detailed information about the China Shores bonus.
