| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.96% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 3,125 |
| Bet Range | £0.50 - £100.00 |
| Hit Frequency | 26.00% |
| Max Win | 10,000x |
| Features | Wilds, Scatters, Bonus Rounds |
Reel Rush Slot Review
Reel Rush is a NetEnt slot released in July 2013 that still holds up well against newer titles. The appeal is simple: a fruit-themed game built around a clever re-spin mechanic that gradually opens up the playing grid, turning 45 ways to win into 3,125 at its peak. It looks like a retro video game, plays differently from most fruit machines, and offers a 96.96% RTP that puts it among the more generous slots you'll find on UK casino sites.
If you've played Candy Crush or any of the early smartphone puzzle games, the visual style will feel familiar. Bright, blocky fruits and candy symbols fill a diamond-shaped grid that expands as you land wins. The mechanics are the real draw here - each consecutive win unlocks more reel positions and keeps the spins coming.
Game Specifications
- Developer: NetEnt
- Release date: July 2013
- RTP: 96.96%
- Volatility: Medium
- Reels: 5 reels, 5 rows
- Ways to win: 45 (base) up to 3,125 (fully expanded)
- Bet range: £0.50 to £100 per spin
- Max win: 962x your stake
- Hit frequency: 28.3% in base game, around 70% during free spins
The Expanding Reel Mechanic
The defining feature of Reel Rush is how the reels expand. The grid starts in a diamond configuration - the outer columns show only one position each, the next show three, and the centre reel shows all five. Land a winning combination and two of the blocked positions open up, giving you a re-spin with more ways to win active. Keep winning and the grid keeps growing.
The progression runs like this: you start with 45 ways to win. Each consecutive winning re-spin adds more positions - 135, then 405, then 675, then 1,125, and finally 1,875 ways to win before you can reach the fully expanded 3,125 grid. Each time you win, you also see a row of stars above the reels light up, tracking your progress through the re-spin sequence.
If the re-spins stop (because you've had a losing spin), the grid resets to its starting diamond shape and the star counter goes back to zero. It's a simple loop, but it keeps each spin meaningful - there's always a reason to care about the next result.
Symbols and Payouts
The symbols are a mix of candies and fruits with a cartoonish edge - cherries, watermelons, lemons, and the like, alongside blue star symbols marked with an "R". The strawberry is the highest-paying regular symbol, with a full five-of-a-kind combination paying out 1,000 coins.
The wild symbol is a brown tile with "Wild" written on it. It substitutes for all other symbols and appears on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 only - not on reel 1. This is a standard limitation but it doesn't detract much from the wild's usefulness across the wider grid during re-spins.
Free Spins Bonus Round
Trigger five consecutive winning re-spins and you'll unlock 8 free spins on the fully expanded 3,125-ways grid. This is where Reel Rush's hit frequency climbs significantly - from the base game's 28.3% up to around 70%. With all reel positions unlocked from the start, landing wins becomes far more frequent.
The free spins don't retrigger, but they don't need to. Eight spins with maximum ways active and a 70% hit rate creates a sustained run of wins that can shift the session balance quickly. Reaching this bonus is the main goal in every base game spin.
Autoplay and Settings
There's an autoplay feature that lets you set between 10 and 1,000 automated spins. You can also apply advanced stop conditions - useful if you want to set a loss limit or stop when your balance hits a certain figure. This is a standard feature in NetEnt games of this era and it works as expected.
Mobile Compatibility
Reel Rush uses HTML5, so it runs on iOS and Android without any need for apps or plugins. The diamond grid layout actually works well on a smaller screen - the bold, blocky symbols are easy to read, and the expanding animation is clear even on a phone. Touch controls respond well. This was originally designed as a desktop game but it translates to mobile without much compromise.
Reel Rush 2 and Reel Rush XXXtreme
NetEnt released Reel Rush 2 in November 2019, building on the original with eight random modifier features and a token collection system. It's more complex and raises the max win to 25,000x your stake, but some players prefer the cleaner mechanics of the original.
More recently, Reel Rush XXXtreme arrived as a higher-volatility remake. It returns to the original's diamond grid and art style while adding Mystery Features and an Elevate betting option that can boost wins. If you enjoy the classic Reel Rush but want more variance and bigger win potential, XXXtreme is worth looking at.
Who Is Reel Rush For?
Reel Rush suits players who want something more engaging than a standard slot but don't need a complicated feature set. The re-spin progression gives you a clear goal on every spin - each consecutive win matters, not just the end result. Medium volatility means wins come fairly regularly without being tiny, and the 96.96% RTP is one of the better rates available.
It's less suited to players chasing massive jackpot-style payouts. The 962x max win is solid but not exceptional by current standards. What Reel Rush offers instead is a consistent and satisfying session rhythm, particularly if you reach the free spins.
You can find Reel Rush at most UK online casinos. It's widely available as a NetEnt title and appears in the slots lobbies of most major platforms. For other high-RTP options, see our high RTP slots guide. If you're interested in other games from the same developer, check the NetEnt page for a full list of available titles.
What is the RTP of Reel Rush?
Reel Rush has an RTP of 96.96%, which is above average for a slot game and makes it one of the more player-friendly NetEnt titles available.
How do the expanding reels work in Reel Rush?
The game starts with a diamond-shaped grid giving 45 ways to win. Each consecutive winning spin unlocks more reel positions - progressing through 135, 405, 675, 1,125 and 1,875 ways - until you reach the fully expanded grid with 3,125 ways to win. A losing spin resets the grid back to the start.
How do you trigger the free spins in Reel Rush?
You trigger 8 free spins by landing five consecutive winning re-spins. The free spins run on the fully expanded 3,125-ways grid, which increases the hit frequency significantly compared to the base game.
What volatility is Reel Rush?
Reel Rush is a medium volatility slot. This means wins occur fairly regularly without the long dry spells associated with high volatility games, though the biggest wins come from reaching the free spins bonus round.
Is there a sequel to Reel Rush?
Yes - Reel Rush 2 was released by NetEnt in November 2019. It introduces eight random modifier features and a token collection system, with a much higher max win potential of 25,000x your stake. Reel Rush XXXtreme is a more recent higher-volatility version of the original concept.
Where does the wild symbol appear in Reel Rush?
The wild symbol appears on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 only. It does not appear on reel 1 but substitutes for all other symbols across the other four reels.
Where to Play Reel Rush
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including Reel Rush. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Reel Rush RTP and Variance
Reel Rush has an RTP of 96.96%, which is above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. Medium volatility offers a balanced mix of win frequency and payout size.
At the minimum bet of £0.50 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 20 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.70. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.
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If you enjoy Reel Rush, try these other NetEnt games available at the same casinos.
