Reel Rush slot review

Lisa Stanojević
Checked by Paul P.

NetEnt released Reel Rush in 2018. This slot uses an expanding 5×5 grid and a ways-to-win system that changes as the reels open up. The Reel Rush slot runs on a medium volatility profile with an RTP of 96.96%.

In terms of features, the game relies on Wilds, re-spins triggered by wins, and a free spins round that unlocks after consecutive re-spins. Keep reading my Reel Rush slot review to see how these mechanics come together during real play.

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Highlights

/ 100 Expert rating by Lisa S.
% Playscore based on critics

Reel Rush slot review summary

Reel Rush presents a deliberate clean visual style that keeps attention on gameplay. The retro fruit theme uses bright symbols, smooth transitions, and restrained effects that stay readable during extended play. The presentation keeps the pace clear and the gameplay easy to follow.

The core experience centers on progression. Every winning spin triggers a re-spin that expands the grid and increases the number of winning combinations. The growing reel area creates a sense of momentum, with each win actively changing how the next spin will behave.

Winning potential develops as the game progresses. Re-spins land often and free spins play out on the full layout, which keeps the action moving. Over time, Reel Rush feels structured and continuous, with wins stacking naturally as the mechanics unfold.

Pros

  • Expanding reels up to 3,125 ways

  • 96.96% RTP

  • Win-triggered re-spin mechanic

Cons

  • ~1,000x maximum win

  • No bonus buy feature

  • Minimal audiovisuals

Reel Rush comprehensive review

In this Reel Rush slot review, I break down what shapes the game experience. I cover the RTP and volatility, explain how the expanding reels and re-spins work, and walk through the bonus features that drive progression. The later sections focus on symbols, payouts, and the technical details that define how Reel Rush plays in practice.

RTP and volatility

Reel Rush slot has an RTP of 96.96%, medium volatility, a ways-to-win system that

CategoryDetails
RTP96.96%
Maximum win1,000x
Number of paylinesWays to win system, from 45 up to 3,125
VolatilityMid

expands from 45 up to 3,125 combinations, a 5×5 grid, and wins that form on adjacent reels from left to right.

Author
Lisa Stanojević

Reel Rush lists an RTP of 96.96%, which lines up with how the game behaved while I played. Wins appeared more often once the re-spin loop started and the grid expanded past its initial layout. Before that point, my spins moved quickly with limited payout movement.

The volatility felt medium in practice. Most wins landed as small amounts that added up across several re-spins. Larger payouts required the grid to open fully and stay active for multiple spins in a row.

I had a stretch where I placed around 30 spins at a mid-range bet without triggering a full expansion, and the balance dropped steadily. When the re-spins started chaining, the balance recovered through a series of small wins.

Bonus features

Reel Rush includes Wild symbols, re-spins, expanding reels, and free spins. All bonus features activate through winning spins. The feature structure follows a single progression system that unfolds as wins accumulate.

Wild symbols appear on the grid and substitute for all standard symbols. They are active during base play and free spins and contribute to forming winning combinations as additional symbol positions unlocks on the grid.

CategoryDetails
Bonus featuresWilds, Scatters, Reel features, Free spins, Respins
Top featuresWilds
JackpotN/A

Re-spins activate after every winning spin. Each re-spin unlocks new symbol positions, expanding the grid step by step. The re-spin sequence continues while wins keep landing, and the number of ways to win increases with each expansion until the grid reaches its full size.

Free spins trigger after five consecutive winning re-spins. The free spins round starts on a fully expanded grid with all symbol positions active. Re-spins remain active during free spins under the same conditions as in the base version of the game.

Author
Lisa Stanojević

The re-spin feature defined how Reel Rush felt to play for me. Once the first few wins landed, the grid started opening up quickly, and the pace of the game changed. Each re-spin added more activity to the screen and made wins easier to connect.

Free spins felt tied closely to momentum. When they triggered, the full grid stayed active from the first spin, and wins linked together more often. The feature extended the same flow from the base game and kept the session moving.

Wilds supported the mechanics quietly. They appeared often enough to help complete combinations during expanded states of the grid. I noticed their impact most during longer re-spin chains where extra symbol coverage mattered.

Symbols and paytable

Reel Rush uses a simple fruit-and-sweets symbol set built around a classic slot hierarchy. The game includes gummy candy symbols, fruit symbols, and a Wild, all displayed on the expanding grid. Wins form through adjacent symbols, with payouts increasing as more matching symbols connect.

The lowest-paying symbols are the colored gummy sweets. These appear frequently and pay small amounts for three or more matching symbols. On a fully expanded grid, five matching sweets award up to around 50x the stake, depending on the symbol color.

CategoryDetails
ThemeRetro fruit slot
Reel layout5×5
Highest paying symbolRed seven symbol
Adjustable paylinesN/A
VisualsBright, minimalist, clean
SoundArcade-style effects
Mobile qualityGreat

Mid-range payouts come from fruit symbols such as blueberries and grapes. These land less often and pay higher amounts when four or five connect across adjacent reels. Five matching grapes pay up to 150x the stake, while blueberries reach up to 100x.

The highest-paying symbols are the premium fruits, including lemon, pineapple, watermelon, and strawberry. The strawberry is the top symbol in the game, paying up to 1,000x the stake for five matching symbols. 

Reel Rush on a mobile device
Author
Lisa Stanojević

The first thing I noticed was how the paytable in Reel Rush felt very dependent on grid size. Early on, most returns came from the lower symbols and stayed small, which kept the balance moving in quick steps. The bigger numbers stayed tied to expanded grid states.

Once the grid opened up, the premium fruit symbols started to matter more. I noticed that pineapple and strawberry combinations had the biggest impact on total wins, especially when they appeared during longer re-spins. Those moments were the largest jumps in balance for me.

Naturally, reaching those higher-paying combinations took time. There were stretches where the grid stalled before fully expanding, and payouts weren’t too big. It seems that the paytable favors sessions where the grid has room to develop.

How to play the Reel Rush slot

Reel Rush slot has a betting range from $0.50 to $100.00 per spin. You can adjust your stake using the plus and minus buttons on the betting panel, which change the total bet amount directly. The game uses a ways-to-win system, so there aren’t any individual paylines or bet-per-line settings.

Once your bet is set, press the spin button to start the game. Wins form when three or more matching symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right. Each winning spin triggers a re-spin and unlocks additional symbol positions on the grid.

The grid starts in a reduced state and expands automatically during re-spins. As more symbol positions open, the number of ways to win increases, reaching up to 3,125 ways on a fully expanded grid. You don’t need to activate or manage this feature manually.

CategoryDetails
Min bet$0.50
Max bet$100
AutoplayAvailable
Turbo modeAvailable
Game historyAvailable

Free spins activate after five consecutive winning re-spins. When triggered, the free spins round starts with the grid fully expanded. The same re-spin rules apply during free spins. Wins continue unlocking additional re-spins.

Autoplay is available through the autoplay button next to the spin control. You can select a set number of automatic spins and adjust speed settings using the quick spin option. The game interface also includes access to game rules and settings through the menu icon.

Casinos where you can play Reel Rush

NetEnt slots are available at many online casinos. If you want to try Reel Rush, these are some of the online casinos where you can find it:

Casino Logo Rating Bonus Go-to-casino button Show more T&C
1
Betocean review
83/100 Expert rating by Sophie P. Logo Icon 73% Playscore based on 100% up to $1,000
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PartyCasino review
81/100 Expert rating by Jack B. Logo Icon 86% Playscore based on 200% up to $100 + 25 free spins
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Image for Stardust Casino
Stardust Casino review
85/100 Expert rating by Paul P. Logo Icon 86% Playscore based on $25 bonus bet + up to $500 in deposit bonuses
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Expert verdict

Reel Rush is a straightforward NetEnt slot built around one main idea: re-spins that expand the grid. Once that loop starts, the game becomes easy to follow and predictable in how it develops. The mechanics stay consistent from start to finish, which makes it comfortable to play over longer stretches.

The medium volatility shows through gradual balance movement. Most wins arrive in small pieces that add up when the grid opens and stays active. Bigger payouts depend on reaching expanded grid states and landing higher-value symbols during those runs.

Reel Rush works well for players who like steady play and clear rules. The bet range suits different budgets, and the slot doesn’t require learning multiple features. It’s a nice choice for anyone who prefers structure and repeatable gameplay.

FAQs

What is the RTP of the Reel Rush slot?

Reel Rush has an RTP of 96.96%, which is slightly above the industry average.

What is the maximum win potential in Reel Rush?

The maximum win in Reel Rush is around 1,000x your stake, which you can achieve through premium symbol combinations on an expanded grid.

How do you trigger free spins in Reel Rush?

Reel Rush slot’s free spins activate after five consecutive winning re-spins. The feature starts on a fully expanded 5×5 grid.

What is the volatility of the Reel Rush slot?

Reel Rush uses medium volatility, with wins building gradually through re-spins and grid expansion.

Does Reel Rush include a bonus buy feature?

Reel Rush runs entirely on its progression system, with features activating through gameplay.

Lisa Stanojević
Lisa Stanojević Time2play contributor
Education
Education M.A. in Linguistics
Specialization
Specialization Casino and sports betting step-by-step guides
Experience
Experience Nine years of marketing and freelance writing experience

A university teacher turned content writer, Lisa knows how to hook readers with sharp, tech-savvy content. With roots in B2B, blockchain, and web3, she brings a unique flair to the Time2Play team, keeping global audiences informed and engaged.

Lisa’s work draws readers in with the same dedication she once brought to teaching, making every piece worth sticking around for.

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