Dr Watts Up Slot Review - Microgaming

Provider	Microgaming

Mad scientists have long been a staple of slot game design, and Dr Watts Up from Microgaming delivers one of the better takes on the theme. Released in 2012, this five-reel slot offers 243 ways to win rather than fixed paylines, and it backs up the quirky premise with a solid set of bonus features that give it real replay value.

Dr Watts Up Slot: At a Glance

Before diving into the detail, here are the core stats:

Developer: Microgaming
Reels: 5
Ways to win: 243
RTP: 96.45%
Volatility: Medium
Min/Max Bet: £0.30 - £120

The 243-ways format means wins pay anywhere adjacent symbols land on consecutive reels from left to right - no need to line them up on specific paylines. That gives you more frequent small wins compared to a tight-payline setup, which suits the medium volatility profile well.

Theme and Symbols

The game puts you inside the laboratory of Dr Watts Up himself - a wild-eyed scientist who looks like he has spent one too many nights conducting experiments. The visual style leans into classic B-movie sci-fi: bubbling test tubes, electrical sparks, and enough green chemical glow to keep things lively without being garish.

On the reels you will find Dr Watts Up himself as the most valuable symbol, alongside his pink-haired lab assistant, a lab rat, a monkey in a scientist coat, electron guns, chemical flasks, and a brain in a jar. Lower-value symbols use stylised card suit icons. The overall presentation holds up reasonably well given the game's age - Microgaming built it with enough detail that it does not feel thin.

The wild symbol is the Dr Watts Up logo. It substitutes for all regular symbols during base play and free spins, and it is your main route to lining up bigger wins during normal gameplay.

Free Spins Feature

The scatter symbol is the Nexus - land three or more anywhere on the reels to trigger the free spins round. Three scatters award 10 free spins, four give you 15, and five scatters unlock 20 free spins.

The twist during free spins is that one reel turns completely wild on each spin. The reel is chosen at random, so you do not know in advance which one it will be - but having an entire reel covered in wilds with the 243-ways format in place can produce some substantial wins. Free spins can also retrigger if you land three or more scatters during the feature, though this is relatively uncommon.

Laboratory Bonus Game

The second feature is a pick-and-click bonus accessed via the Lab Rat scatter symbol. You need the Lab Rat to appear on reels one, three, and five simultaneously to trigger it. When it fires, you are taken to a second screen showing a row of test tubes filled with different coloured chemicals.

You pick two test tubes to hand to the doctor, who runs them through his chamber and calculates their combined value. You then get the option to risk what you have won for a potentially larger prize by picking again. The escalating-risk mechanic gives you a genuine decision to make, and it adds a layer of engagement beyond the usual pick-a-box structure. The values on offer vary but the feature tends to deliver decent returns when it triggers.

Autoplay and Betting Options

The autoplay function covers most scenarios you would want. You can set a fixed number of spins - up to 500 - and apply stop conditions such as a win ceiling, a balance floor, or a single-win cap. The bet range of £0.30 to £120 covers casual players through to those who want to put more on each spin. Increments are sensible enough that you can find a comfortable level without too many steps.

Verdict

Dr Watts Up is a well-constructed slot from Microgaming's mid-period output. The 96.45% RTP is solid, the 243-ways format keeps wins coming at a reasonable pace, and the combination of random-wild free spins with a separate pick bonus gives the game two distinct modes of excitement. It is not a flashy modern release, and high-variance players chasing massive jackpots will find more volatile options elsewhere - but for a reliable medium-volatility game with a fun theme, Dr Watts Up holds up.

Who makes Dr Watts Up?

Dr Watts Up is developed by Microgaming, one of the longest-established names in online casino software.

How many ways to win does Dr Watts Up have?

Dr Watts Up uses a 243-ways-to-win format across its five reels, meaning wins pay whenever matching symbols land on consecutive reels from left to right.

What is the RTP of Dr Watts Up?

The return to player percentage for Dr Watts Up is 96.45%, which is above the industry average for online slots.

How do you trigger the free spins in Dr Watts Up?

Land three or more Nexus scatter symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger the free spins round. Three scatters award 10 spins, four give 15, and five unlock 20 free spins. During the feature, one reel turns completely wild on every spin.

What is the Laboratory Bonus Game?

The Laboratory Bonus Game triggers when the Lab Rat scatter symbol lands on reels one, three, and five at the same time. You pick two test tubes to hand to the doctor, who calculates their value. You can then risk your prize for a potentially larger reward.