5 Reel Drive Slot Review - Microgaming

Provider	Microgaming

5 Reel Drive is a classic video slot from Microgaming that leans into 1950s American road-trip nostalgia. Launched in December 2015, it runs on 5 reels with 9 fixed paylines and keeps the mechanics deliberately simple - a good fit if you want a no-fuss spin session without wading through complicated bonus systems.

Theme and Symbols

The reels are filled with retro diner and highway imagery: blueberry pie, french fries, milkshakes, doughnuts, fuzzy mirror dice, a road sign, a taxi, a police car, burning tyres, and two cars - one with a male driver, one with a female driver. No generic playing card symbols here. Everything on the grid is theme-consistent, which gives the game a coherent look even if the graphics are on the simpler side.

The jackpot comes from landing five burning tyre symbols across an active payline.

Paylines and Betting

With 9 fixed paylines, all lines are always active. The bet range runs from around £2.25 up to £450 per spin, so this is not a low-stakes title - the fixed-line structure means you are always staking across all nine. Wins pay left to right on paylines, with the exception of scatter wins which pay anywhere on the reels.

RTP and Volatility

The theoretical return to player sits at 96.95%, which is above average for a slot of this era. Volatility is low, meaning wins come through fairly regularly but tend to be smaller rather than infrequent large hits. It suits players who prefer a steadier session over chasing rare big payouts.

Wilds and Scatters

The wild symbol is the yellow swerving road sign. It substitutes for all symbols except the scatter, helping complete payline wins in the usual way. There are no expanding or multiplying wilds - it is a standard substitution wild.

The scatter is the police car. Three or more police cars anywhere on the reels trigger a multiplier on your total bet:

3 scatters - 5x total bet
4 scatters - 20x total bet
5 scatters - 50x total bet

That 50x scatter hit on a maximum bet can produce a solid return, and the scatter pays on top of any line wins in the same spin.

Bonus Features

5 Reel Drive keeps things lean. There are no free spins, no bonus round, and no gamble feature. The scatter multipliers are the only special mechanic in the game. In expert mode, an Autoplay function lets you set up to 500 automatic spins - useful if you prefer a hands-off session.

The lack of a free spins round is the most notable absence. Players coming from more feature-heavy games will feel that gap. On the other hand, the simplicity means the session plays quickly and the rules take about 30 seconds to understand.

Verdict

5 Reel Drive is a straightforward, low-volatility slot with a decent RTP of 96.95% and a clean road-trip theme. The scatter multiplier system is the one mechanic worth watching, particularly the 50x scatter combination. It lacks free spins and a bonus game, which will put off players looking for those features. For anyone who wants a simple spin without elaborate mechanics, it does that job reliably.

Who made 5 Reel Drive?

5 Reel Drive was developed by Microgaming, one of the longest-established game studios in online slots. It was released in December 2015.

What is the RTP of 5 Reel Drive?

The theoretical return to player (RTP) for 5 Reel Drive is 96.95%, which is above the industry average for video slots.

How many paylines does 5 Reel Drive have?

5 Reel Drive has 9 fixed paylines across 5 reels and 3 rows. All paylines are always active - you cannot reduce the number.

Does 5 Reel Drive have free spins?

No. 5 Reel Drive does not include a free spins round. The main special feature is the scatter multiplier triggered by 3 or more police car symbols, awarding up to 50x your total bet.

What is the wild symbol in 5 Reel Drive?

The wild symbol is the yellow road sign. It substitutes for all standard symbols to help form winning combinations, but does not substitute for the scatter (police car).

Is 5 Reel Drive high or low volatility?

5 Reel Drive is a low volatility slot, meaning it pays out smaller wins relatively frequently rather than producing rare large hits. Combined with its 96.95% RTP, it suits players who prefer longer, steadier sessions.