Buffalo slot review
A slot game that well and truly made its name in casinos around the world is Buffalo. If you play slots and you have been to a casino then you probably know Buffalo. The popularity of Buffalo is such that there are now several variations of it, including Buffalo Deluxe, Buffalo Stampede and Buffalo Gold. That is notwithstanding a whole bunch of copy-cat themed slot games from other developers.
Free Buffalo Slot Machine Game - Vegas Original Buffalo is without doubt most popular slots game ever made, especially in Las Vegas casinos. Originally produced in 2008, the original game is still found in every casino across the US and there are loads of amazing new versions, including Buffalo Stampede, Buffalo Grand, Buffalo Gold and the. Buffalo Blitz Free Slot to Play Online. Buffalo Blitz slot is one of the most unique slots on the market right now. With 4096 ways to win, this 6-reel and the 4-row game may look old-school at first but it is packed full of interesting features that make it a fascinating affair for experienced and novice players.
The maker of Buffalo, Aristocrat, has also released an online version of this popular slot in partnership with digital specialists GameAccount Network. As with all Aristocrat slots online, the experience is very closely matched with that of the land-based slot game.
BUFFALO!!!
Buffalo has a good balance of wins during normal play as well as in the bonus round. Several slot players will have heard the cry of ‘BUFFALO’ in the casino and the same occurs online when you create a winning line with the buffalo symbols. As this symbol is stacked, you will find that there can be some very nice wins when you see the symbols on multiple reels. The sunset Wilds are also pretty frequent, despite only being on reels 2, 3 and 4. They can really help build up some winning combinations during the normal game.
Win at Least 8 Free Spins and a 27x Multiplier
If you get 3 or more Scatter coins anywhere on screen then you will get a minimum of 8 free spins. If you get 4 Scatter coins its 15 free spins and 5 coins will give you 20. On top of this you can get up to 27x your win as the sunset Wilds become multipliers of either 2x or 3x, which are accumulated if you get more than one of them in a winning line. During the free spins, if you see 2 or more scatter coins anywhere on screen you will be rewarded with another 5 free spins. This can occur several times during the whole bonus round. For those that haven’t played Buffalo before, you might be getting an idea of why this game is so popular.
There's an RTP of 94.85%!
Having played both the Buffalo slot machine in a casino and the online version, there are a few very subtle differences. Although I cannot prove it for sure, it definitely feels like you hit the bonus round more often online. With an RTP (return to player) of 94.85% online, compared to possibly around 90-92% in a casino, then this would make sense. There are some ambient casino noises online, which I am not a big fan of, but I can understand why they are there. The good news is that they can be turned off fairly easily in the settings.
Our View...
In summary, the Buffalo slot online is a superb game and is one of my favorites from Aristocrat. The balance of big wins and regular rewards makes it popular to new and experienced slots players. There is little difference between the online Buffalo slot and the Buffalo casino slot machine, some minor graphical differences is all. Compared to other Aristocrat slots, there are few that capture the essence of a slot game quite as well as Buffalo does. Exceptions might be the outback-themed Big Red and the mythological slot Pompeii.
Casinos with Aristocrat slots
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Most Popular Online Slot Games
Since the original release in 2008, the Buffalo slot is one of the most played games across all slot machines. Aristocrat has released numerous versions of the Buffalo slot. The new games share the iconic purple Buffalo symbols. These show the beasts charging head-first from the reels. They also share sound effects and important elements of the game play, while building on it in innovative ways.
Many slot studios have tried to recreate the appeal of Buffalo, including Chumba and Luckyland with Stampede Fury. While there are many excellent games that have come from these efforts – none has come close to matching the original. The simple game play, with free spins and wild multipliers, has hit the sweet spot in terms of enjoyment and big win potential.
Free to Play Aristocrat Slots Online
The original Buffalo slots game is now available at selected online casinos. To play the newer games like Buffalo Gold, Buffalo Grand and Buffalo Stampede – you’ll need to travel to your nearest live casino. You’ll find all the games below in casinos around the country including Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Downtown Detroit.
List of Buffalo Slot Machine Variations
This page covers Aristocrat’s Buffalo slots in depth. Below you’ll find information on the basic setup shared between all the games, then the following different versions.
- Classic Buffalo Slots: The original game still holds its own against the newer competition. This is the only version currently available at online casinos.
- Buffalo Stampede Slots: Aristocrat added jackpots and an expanding reels feature in this version. Triggered by a herd of buffalo running up the screen.
- Buffalo Gold Slots: A hugely popular variant which features a collection element during the free spins bonus. As you collect gold heads, more and more animals turn into buffalo.
- Buffalo Grand Slots: Huge progressive jackpots and a bonus wheel make this tall-screen stand out. There is a second multiplier wheel, plus a non-standard reel setup.
- Buffalo Diamond Slots: Multiplier free spins have totals that keep going up until they are won, adding a strategic element to this version of the game.
- Buffalo Rush Slots: A new game with mechanical reels, you can get extra buffalo symbols in the electronic area above the reels, along with win multipliers
While you can also find Buffalo slot machines in multi-game terminals (Wonder 4 and the like), and a Class II version (Buffalo Xtreme), this list covers the main games.
What do the Buffalo slot machines have in common?
Buffalo Gold Slots
There are major differences for each variation. Below are the key elements shared by all the games. Aristocrat has been careful to keep the core of the game familiar and entertaining. By not straying too far from the winning formula, they have made each new version of Buffalo as appealing as the original.
Symbols: Buffalo symbols are purple. They show the outline of a buffalo charging towards you from the reels. These are the highest paying symbols in all of the games. They come as both single symbols and as groups on each reel. Your biggest hits come when you get several of them on a reel, and at least one on each of the 5 reels. Other high paying symbols are the same for each game. These show an eagle, wolf, cougar and an elk. All Buffalo slots have playing card filler symbols.
Sunset Wilds: On all the games you’ll find wilds on the middle 3 reels only. These show a sunset over a rocky landscape. They can connect several wins. Multipliers can appear on these wilds, with the rules for these slightly different in each game variation.
All Ways Wins: Instead of win-lines, Buffalo slots machine have wins which trigger with matching symbols on consecutive reels from the left. As long as there are no full-reel gaps, 3 of any symbol (and 2 for the highest paying ones) will trigger a win. All-ways wins make those multiplier wilds even more valuable.
Sound Effects and Animations: Graphics have been upgraded as each new game is released, though they are recognizable as the originals. You’ll soon recognize the sound effects, including the shout of ‘Buffalo!’ when you win with these symbols, eagle screech when wild multipliers are revealed and a high-pitched sound when you wait for extra coin bonus symbols. Once you hear the song used for the bonus feature, it can be hard to shift it from your head!
Game by Game: An Overview of the Buffalo Slots
You’ll find Buffalo slots online in states which have regulated gambling. This list is currently restricted to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia.
It is rare to find a brick and mortar casino without several variations of Buffalo slots. Casinos from Detroit to California, from New England to Florida all have them. Most of the Buffalo slot games are Class III games. Some tribal casinos with Class II slots also feature adapted Buffalo slots.
The Original / Classic Aristocrat Buffalo Slot Machine
On the surface, the original Buffalo was similar to many slots released around the same time in 2008. This is a simple video slot, with 5 reels, 4 rows of symbols on each reel and all-ways wins.
It is the mix of a solid base game with wilds on the middle reels, plus a free spins bonus which can be easily retriggered which worked well in this game. Gold coins trigger a bonus. You’ll usually get 8 free spins (though up to 25 are possible with 5 coins on the triggering spin).
During the free spins, any wilds that appear will get a 2x of 3x multiplier. These work together, so 3 of the 3x multipliers will give you 27x on any wins they are all involved in.
You only need 2 coins to extend your free spins bonus. This will give you 5 extra spins each time.
Buffalo Stampede Slot Machine
This game features a taller screen. The symbols and free spins bonus feature work the same as in the original. Buffalo stampede also has progressive jackpots. These are random – and tick up on the top left and right corners of the screen.
Game play is made more interesting by the occasional stampede of buffalo. These can run up from the bottom of the screen on one or more reels. They will expand the reels when they do, by either 1 or 2 extra symbols. Buffalo can also run across the top of the reels, adding extra buffalo symbols. Big wins are possible where these combine with the regular on-reel buffalo symbols and / or multiplier wilds.
Buffalo Gold Slot Machine
This variation has been hugely popular. There are no progressive jackpots or major changes to the base game involved. The big change only becomes apparent once you trigger the free spins bonus.
During this bonus some of the buffalo symbols are gold colored. Each time you hit one, it moves to the top part of the tall cabinet. At certain milestones, each of the 4 higher paying animal symbols turn into buffalo. This increases your chances of a big buffalo win as you go. Retriggers are extra valuable in Buffalo Gold. These give you more time to collect the gold heads – you’ll need all 15 to turn all the animals into buffalo symbols.
Buffalo Grand Slot Machine
Adding two bonus wheels made Buffalo Grand the biggest change to the original formula so far when it was released. There are 4 levels of progressive jackpot to be won. You need to bet $3 or more per spin in most casinos to qualify for a shot at the biggest (Grand) jackpot.
Buffalo Grand also has a non-standard reel setup. There are 5 rows of symbols on the middle 3 reels, with 4 symbols on reels 1 and 5. All-ways wins are still used.
Triggering the bonus wheel with 3+ wheel symbols lets you spin for jackpots or different numbers of free spins. Some jackpot wins let you spin a second bonus wheel, which gives you a multiplier of up to 10x.
Buffalo Diamond Slot Machine
This game uses a strategy element which was first introduced via the Harley Davidson slots. There are free spins with multipliers of 2x, 3x and 4x. These increase when diamond symbols of different colors appear on the reels. They are specific to certain stakes. The numbers for each will be different at 75c per spin compared to $3 (or the levels in-between). You can check out all the games in a casino to find the one with the most multiplier free spins at your preferred stake level.
Free spins and jackpots are won via a bonus wheel. This can also award regular (non-multiplied) free spins. The reels are in an unusual diamond shape for this game, which has a curved screen that bulges out towards the top.
Buffalo Gold Revolution Slot Machine
Buffalo Grand Slot Machine Free Play
The latest ‘Gold’ variation adds a bonus wheel. The free spins bonus where you collect gold heads is still the key element. On the wheel are two jackpots (worth winning, though not the life-changing ones on Buffalo Grand) and segments with cash wins and gold heads.
Whenever you spin the wheel and don’t hit a ‘free spins’ segment, the prizes get a boost. More gold heads and bigger cash amounts are added for the next spin. If you get the gold heads, these form part of the collection game inside the free spins. Starting your spins with 3+ heads will help add high-paying buffalo symbols to the reels faster.
Buffalo Rush Slot Machine
The newest Buffalo themed game uses 5 mechanical reels. They have the familiar animal symbols on them, though spin on cylinders. There is a bonus wheel which can add extra buffalo for your free spins bonus. This wheel can also award you a progressive jackpot.
Those buffalo you get on the wheel are added to a display above the reels during the free spins. You might find 3 buffalo above one reel or have 4 or 5 spread out across the reels. These are counted as extra buffalo to calculate wins (using the all-ways system as usual). Multiplier wilds can also appear on this display.
Final thoughts on Aristocrat Buffalo slots
This series of slots are hugely popular. You’ll find them in live casinos around the country, with the original (classic) version also available online. When a new Buffalo comes out, it is always busy – often with lines of people waiting to try it out.
Whether you prefer the solid original, big jackpot potential of ‘Grand’ or the collection element of the game play in the ‘Gold’ and ‘Diamond’ versions there is something in the Buffalo slots range for you.