Dead or Alive slot review
In 2009, NetEnt brought out the classic Dead or Alive slot and it’s been popular and well-loved ever since.
It has an RTP of 96.82% and high volatility, which can allow for some big wins. Including a max win of 12,000x your stake. Is it time to head to the Wild West?
Highlights
| RTP | 96.82% |
| Stakes range | 18 |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 12,000x |
| Number of reels | 5 |
| Number of rows | 3 |
| Number of paylines | 9 |
| Software provider | NetEnt |
| Slot type | Video slots |
| Slot theme | Western |
| Launch date | 01/01/2009 |
General ratings
Expert verdict
Dead or Alive has been transporting players to the Wild West since 2009. Although its theme might not be so unique today, the Western style was novel at the time and has stuck with audiences since. Its age also doesn’t mean this game can’t keep up with more modern games.
Sticky Wilds during the free spins rounds, paired with the x2 multiplier, can really help accumulate more wins. The actual base game is fairly standard, with a 5×3 grid. The base payouts tend to run a little small, though I did find there’s potential for some bigger wins. The Wild and Scatter symbols can also result in some of the biggest wins in the game, leading to possible payouts of 12,000x your stake.
From a betting range perspective though, Dead or Alive does fall a little short. The minimum bet is $0.09, which is a decent starting point, but it only goes as high as $18. It’s a good betting range for players who aren’t so confident with high stakes, but high-rollers will probably avoid this one.
- 12,000x maximum win
- Immersive and cohesive theme
- Scatters with high, unique payouts
- Repetitive audio
- Average wins are small
- Small bet range
Where to play Dead or Alive slot
NetEnt has a wide and longstanding portfolio of great games, so almost any casino will have its slots available. Choosing a casino is an important decision, so we’ve put together a list of our top three casino recommendations where you can play Dead or Alive.
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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88/100 Expert 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 
|
|
2
|
87/100 Expert 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
|
|
3
|
87/100 Expert rating by Charlie S. 82% Playscore based on |
100% Deposit Match up to $500 + 500 Free Spins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
7 payment methods
|
|
1
|
94/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 91% Playscore based on |
1.5 million WOW Coins + 35 free Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
8 payment methods
|
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2
|
91/100 Expert 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
|
|
3
|
89/100 Expert rating by Vule P. 79% Playscore based on |
500 Gold Coins + 3 FREE Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
8 payment methods
|
|
4
|
89/100 Expert 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
|
|
5
|
89/100 Expert 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
|
|
6
|
89/100 Expert 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
|
|
7
|
89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 81% Playscore based on |
10,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
10 payment methods
|
|
8
|
88/100 Expert rating by Dasha G. 87% Playscore based on |
2,000,000 Gold Coins and 2 FREE Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
9 payment methods
|
|
9
|
88/100 Expert 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
|
88/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 96% Playscore based on |
250,000 Gold Coins + $25 Stake Cash
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
10 payment methods
|
RTP and volatility of Dead or Alive
The Dead or Alive slot RTP is 96.82%. That being said, I came across a few demo versions that said the slot RTP can range, some stating 95% and lower, others as high as 98%. This is a big range for RTP, so be sure to check the RTP at your chosen casino before playing.
In terms of volatility, the slot sits on the high end, meaning it doesn’t pay out that frequently but over time can produce bigger payouts. Dead or Alive’s RTP of 96.82% should allow for possibly more frequent payouts.
Payout facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.82% |
| Maximum win | 12,000x |
| Highest-paying symbol | Guns (Scatter symbol) |
| Volatility | High |
Dead or Alive has 10 symbols. Its lowest-paying symbols are the card symbols: 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. Landing three of the 10 or Jack symbol has a payout of just $0.02. The remaining symbols are all connected to the Wild West theme: a shot glass of Bourbon, cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, a holster, and a sheriff’s badge. The sheriff’s badge is the highest-paying symbol, paying out $0.20 when you land three symbols.
There’s also a Wild and Scatter symbol. The Wild is the Wanted poster and can substitute for any symbol, except the Scatter. It also has its own payouts: landing three Wilds awards $0.25 and five awards $15. The Scatter is the only symbol that can land anywhere on the reels to result in a win, even with just a minimum of two. Two Scatters pays out $0.18, but five pays out $225.
Payouts rating
- Can win across multiple paylines
- Scatters give big payouts
- Average base game wins
- Can’t adjust paylines
The Dead or Alive slot RTP of 96.82% falls in line with the industry average. It’s also a high volatility slot, meaning over time you should get a few wins with high payouts. The ranging RTP is problematic though, as the house edge is unclear and reduces your return.
Although NetEnt says that Dead or Alive is a high volatility slot, during my time playing with the slot I landed frequent but small wins, ranging from $0.02 to $0.30. High volatility slots typically tend to pay out bigger but less frequent wins, but my personal experience was different. This is why it’s important to test out any game yourself before playing for real money.
Given the average payouts, the slot wouldn’t work for high-rollers. However, it might be more suited to newer players who aren’t that confident with a high-stakes game or even players with a more limited budget.
There is a big jump in the symbols’ payouts: five of the lowest-paying symbols rewards you with $0.25-$0.40. Five of the sheriff’s badge rewards you with $10. On max bet, that’s equivalent to $2,000, so there is potential for some bigger payouts here.
What I did really like in this slot is that the Wild and the Scatter symbols also contribute to wins, in a big way. The Wild works as a substitute for other symbols, but landing five Wilds on max bet also brings a reward of $3,000! As for the Scatter, five of those on max bet and you’ve landed a payout of $45,000, the biggest win of the whole game. I should make it clear, this won’t happen often in a game of chance, but there’s the potential for it.
Stakes at Dead or Alive
In Dead or Alive there are two ways to cast your bet: cash or coins. When betting in coins, the bet value is set by increasing or decreasing the Level, which runs from 1–4, and by setting the Coin Value, which runs from 0.01–0.50. These can be set independently of each other by pressing the plus and minus symbols.
When betting in cash players only need to adjust their bet, which ranges from $0.09 to $18. The initial increases are in multiples of nine: 0.09, 0.18, 0.27, 0.36, 0.45, 0.54, and then 0.72.
Stake facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum bet | $0.09 |
| Maximum bet | $18 |
| Adjustable paylines | N/A |
| Bet per line | $0.01 |
| Buy feature | N/A |
The maximum win on Dead or Alive is 12,000x your stake. When playing at the maximum bet, that can result in a win of $216,000. It’s possible that the maximum win might be adjusted according to your jurisdiction. I did come across some demos that the maximum win is 13,888x, so before playing do check that out.
Stake limits rating
- Potential for 12,000x wins
- Bet with coins or cash
- Small bet range
- No buy feature
I think the bet range on this slot was the most disappointing factor. If you’re playing in cash, it starts as low as $0.09 (or 0.01 in coins), which is pretty low and a good entry point. It does adjust incrementally, both when betting in cash or coins, so that allows players to have some control over their budget.
Unfortunately it doesn’t go very far, with a max bet of just $18. The max bet when betting in coins is the same value of $18, but instead, you have a max coin value of 0.50 and a max level of four.
I did like being able to select whether to bet in coins or cash, as this gives you control over how you want to place your bets.
If you prefer a slot with a significantly wider bet range, you might want to try Wheel of Fortune. Although it starts at 0.50, its bet range hits a maximum of 500, which puts Dead or Alive’s max of 0.50 into sharp perspective.
Fortunately, this slot has the potential for some big wins, with a max win of 12,000x and the Wild and Scatter symbols which can reward with big payouts.
Dead or Alive bonus features
Dead or Alive slot has a free spins bonus round. This is triggered when you land three or more of the Scatter symbol at any position on the reels, which will award you 12 free spins. Additionally, all wins are doubled with a 2x multiplier during the Dead or Alive free spins bonus round. Free spins can be triggered more than once throughout a session.
Feature facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wilds | Yes |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Other special symbols | Sticky Wilds during Free Spins feature |
| Gamble feature | N/A |
| Reel features | N/A |
| Free spins | Yes |
| Respins | N/A |
| Multipliers | 2x, during Free Spins feature |
| Other bonus features | N/A |
The Wilds in Dead or Alive also become Sticky Wilds during the free spins bonus round, that remain in position for the entire free spins feature. Landing more than one Sticky Wild adds five more free spins to the bonus round. You can get up to 29 free spins within the free spins round. The more Sticky Wilds the better, as there’s the chance to win up to 3,000x your stake on every free spin.
Bonus features rating
- Sticky Wilds maximize wins
- Wilds during standard spins
- Most bonus features tied to free spins
Dead or Alive does free spins really well. I found it did take time to trigger the free spins, but I got some of my biggest payouts from them. That’s also thanks to the x2 multiplier with each spin.
The Sticky Wilds are a great feature as they tend to come up a lot and really help to maximize how many wins you get – especially when landing three or more Wilds together comes with its own payouts.
Unfortunately, the majority of the bonus features in this slot are tied to the free spins round. Only the Wilds offer a bonus feature in the base game, otherwise the Scatters trigger the bonus round and then the remaining features come into play during the free spins bonus round. Adding at least one more feature would have added some extra spice to what is a pretty classic slot game.
Audiovisuals of Dead or Alive slot
Dead or Alive’s visuals are definitely on theme. The background features a canyon, a windmill, and the post and roof of a building with a lamp swinging. There are also storm clouds with thunder and lightning. During the free spins round, the background changes to the inside of a saloon.
There are also small animations throughout, such as the swinging of the hanging signs that identify the paylines, and the Wild and Scatter symbols.
Audiovisual facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Western |
| Graphics | Good |
| Animations | Basic |
| Sound quality | Good |
| Mobile compatibility | Good |
There isn’t any ambient music during the slot, but there are ambient sounds that you’d associate with the stereotypical Wild West. Pressing the Spin button also uses the sound of loading a gun, while pressing any other button in the game makes the sound of a whip. There’s also a Western-style winning jingle when you land a win.
Audiovisuals rating
- Sound and graphics on theme
- Basic animations present
- Repetitive ambient sounds
The audiovisuals of this slot really contribute to creating a cohesive slot theme. Everything lends itself to the theme: the symbols, the background, the cheesy ambient sounds and the winning jingle. It’s cute and it’s part of what makes this a good slot game.
However, the graphics on this slot, on-theme as they may be, are a little bit basic. The symbols are quite detailed, but the rest of the slot is a bit flat. When you look at how NetEnt revamped the whole look 10 years later with Dead or Alive 2 it becomes much more apparent. The animations are also good, but pretty traditional, something that was also refined in the sequel.
It has to be said though, the ambient sounds do get a bit repetitive, along with the whip sound that comes with pressing every single button. This is really playful at first, but I felt the novelty wore off quickly and I played a lot of the game on mute.
The loaded gun sound that plays when you hit ‘Spin’, however, really fits in and adds a little coolness to the game. After all, we are chasing bandits.
Dead or Alive game layout
Dead or Alive makes use of a classic slot layout: three rows, five reels. There are nine fixed paylines, which players can see when they hover over the hanging signs.
Navigating the game is very easy and intuitive. The information buttons are at the bottom of the screen and contain all the necessary details and paytable. When playing bets with cash, the paytable also updates according to your current bet.
Game-layout facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Reel layout | 5×3 |
| Autoplay | Available |
| Turbo mode | Quick spins only |
| Ease of use | Intuitive |
| Game history | Available |
You can choose to play manually by pressing ‘Spin’, but Autospin is also available. Press the ‘Auto’ button to bring up the menu. You can choose to run autospins based on a set number of spins, from 10 to 1000. There are also advanced settings for when to stop Autospin, such as: if free spins are won, if a single win exceeds a certain amount, or if your balance increases or decreases by a certain amount.
In the Game Settings, you can also select ‘Quick Spin’, spacebar to spin, and if you want to bet in cash or coins. On mobile, the game adjusts to portrait mode, moving the ‘Spin’ button to the bottom, with Autospin and Quick Spin attached to it. All other settings and instructions are brought up through the menu at the top.
Game layout rating
- Adjustable autospin
- Quick spin available
- No turbo mode
- Small grid on mobile
Dead or Alive has a near-perfect rating when it comes to layout. NetEnt designs easy-to-use, accessible slots, so this was no different. Getting around is easy and everything can be found quickly. The instructions and paytable have all the information and on first glance, you can see everything you’ll need.
There’s a customizable Autospin, which is always a great addition, as well as Quick Spin. There’s also the option to use the spacebar for spins, which I end up using a lot when it’s available. On mobile, the slot works just as well, though I would like to have a smaller Spin button and a slightly bigger grid.
Players can also access game history, though this isn’t available in demo mode. When betting in coins, the max bet button also becomes available, for quick access to the highest betting amount.
