| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 97.20% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 20 |
Zombies Slot Review
Zombies is a 5-reel video slot from NetEnt, released on 10 July 2012. It runs on a standard 5x3 grid with 20 paylines and carries an RTP of 97.2% - well above the industry average and one of the stronger figures in NetEnt's back catalogue. The theme is a post-apocalyptic zombie invasion, and the game backs it up with animated sequences, weapon symbols, and a shooting bonus that appears in the free spins round.
The RTP and medium volatility combination makes this a game that sits comfortably between steady low-variance slots and the more aggressive high-volatility titles. Wins land reasonably often, but the free spins multiplier structure means there is genuine upside potential when the feature triggers. It is worth noting that Zombies was decommissioned by NetEnt in April 2019, so availability at online casinos is now limited to operators that retain it in their legacy catalogue.
RTP and Volatility
The RTP of 97.2% places Zombies in the same bracket as other high-return NetEnt games from the same era - Blood Suckers at 98% is the standout, but Zombies holds its own. For every £100 staked over the long run, the theoretical return is £97.20. That figure makes it one of the more player-friendly options from this period.
Volatility is medium, which in practice means wins arrive at a reasonable frequency without the prolonged dry spells you get from high-variance titles. The maximum win comes in at 1,000x your stake, reached via the top-paying chainsaw symbol landing five on a payline. That is a solid ceiling for a medium-volatility game from 2012, and the multiplier structure in the free spins pushes individual spin potential meaningfully higher during the feature.
Stakes run from 0.01 coins per line to 0.50 coins per line. Across 20 paylines, that translates to a minimum total bet of £0.20 and a maximum of £10 per spin - a range that suits casual play rather than high-roller sessions.
Symbols and Paytable
The highest-paying symbol is the chainsaw, paying 1,000 coins for five on a payline. The brain, gas mask, eye, and ice pick fill out the upper tier, each paying between 400 and 1,000 coins for five of a kind. Low-value symbols are the standard playing card ranks - 10, J, Q, K, A - paying 70 to 120 coins at maximum.
The wild symbol substitutes for all icons except the scatter. Regular wilds appear on reels 1, 2, 4, and 5. The stacked wild - a bloodied zombie three symbols tall - appears exclusively on reel 3. When the stacked wild lands, it nudges up or down by one position to maximise coverage across the centre reel, which can cover all three rows and create multiple simultaneous winning combinations across the 20 paylines.
The scatter symbol triggers the free spins feature and does not need to land on a payline to count - three scatters anywhere on reels 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously start the bonus round.
Bonus Features
Random Wild Feature
After any base game spin, a zombie can appear at the bottom of the screen and transform up to six symbols into wilds at random. There is no trigger condition - the feature fires randomly, and you cannot predict or influence when it occurs. When it activates, the zombified symbols are locked in position and evaluated as wild substitutions before the win is calculated. Up to six additional wilds on a 5x3 grid with 20 paylines can convert otherwise modest results into multi-line wins.
Free Spins with Multipliers
Three scatters on reels 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously award five free spins. The key mechanic here is the escalating multiplier: the first spin pays at 1x, the second at 2x, the third at 3x, the fourth at 5x, and the fifth at 10x. That 10x multiplier on the final spin is where the feature's biggest hits tend to land. The free spins can be retriggered by landing three more scatters during the round, resetting the multiplier sequence back to 1x.
Note that the stacked wild on reel 3 does not appear during free spins. This is a deliberate design choice - the escalating multiplier is the feature's primary mechanism, and stacked wilds alongside a 10x multiplier would push the variance into a different tier entirely.
Shooting Bonus (Free Spins)
During the free spins round, zombie targets appear on screen and players can shoot them to reveal instant coin prizes. This interactive element adds a brief engagement layer to the feature without significantly altering the core spin mechanic. It functions as a secondary reward within the free spins rather than as a standalone bonus game.
How to Play
The interface follows NetEnt's standard layout from 2012. Coin value and bet level are set independently, and your total stake per spin is the product of coin value, bet level, and the 20 fixed paylines. All paylines are active on every spin - you cannot reduce them.
Autoplay is available with options to set a number of spins and stop conditions based on balance increases or losses. The paytable - accessible via the game menu - lists all symbol values, scatter positions required to trigger free spins, and the multiplier progression for the bonus round. It is worth reading before your first session, as the scatter trigger condition (reels 2, 3, and 4 specifically) is less obvious than the standard anywhere-on-reels trigger used in most other slots.
Mobile Compatibility
Zombies was built on Flash and later adapted to HTML5. The HTML5 version runs on mobile browsers without a download, scaling to both portrait and landscape on iOS and Android. The game's relatively simple visual design - fixed reel positions, no cascading animations, limited overlay effects - means mobile performance is consistent. Touch controls work for manual spins, coin value selection, and autoplay configuration.
Who Is Zombies For?
Players who want a high RTP with a horror theme will find Zombies a reasonable match. The 97.2% return figure is the main draw, placing it in the same tier as other sought-after classic NetEnt titles. The medium volatility and relatively low maximum bet of £10 per spin make it better suited to players who want longer sessions at manageable stakes rather than high-risk, high-reward play.
The escalating multiplier in the free spins round - peaking at 10x on spin five - is the game's standout feature. It gives the bonus round genuine excitement even by modern standards, and the 5x to 10x jump on spins four and five creates meaningful anticipation as the round progresses.
Players looking for modern features such as buy-the-bonus, cluster pays, or Megaways mechanics will not find them here. Zombies is a product of its era - a well-constructed classic slot with a clear feature set and strong maths, but without the complexity layers that define post-2017 slot design. If that simpler structure appeals, the RTP and volatility profile make it a solid choice.
Because the game was decommissioned in 2019, not every casino carries it. Check our casino reviews to find operators that still include Zombies in their game library.
Zombies vs Similar NetEnt Horror Titles
Blood Suckers (2009) is the most direct comparison - both are NetEnt horror titles with high RTPs. Blood Suckers edges Zombies with a 98% RTP versus 97.2%, and offers a second-screen pick bonus rather than a multiplier free spins round. If RTP is your primary criterion, Blood Suckers wins narrowly.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (2012) is NetEnt's other major horror-themed slot from the same year. It carries a 96.41% RTP - lower than Zombies - but features a more complex bonus structure including stacked wilds, free spins, and a separate Creature Feature Bonus. It is a higher-variance game overall.
Ghost Pirates (2010) sits at 96.0% RTP, lower again, with a different aesthetic but a similar era and technical structure. Zombies beats it on the maths.
For something darker and more recent, Dead or Alive from NetEnt runs at 96.8% RTP with high volatility - a very different risk profile but firmly in the same genre space.
Verdict
Zombies delivers where it matters most. A 97.2% RTP is the headline, and the medium volatility means that figure translates into real play rather than sitting as an unreachable theoretical ceiling. The escalating multiplier in the free spins - 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x across five spins - is the most interesting mechanical decision in the game, and the 10x final spin creates a clear moment of tension at the end of each feature. The random wild feature in the base game adds variety without complicating the overall structure.
The limitations are real: limited availability since decommissioning in 2019, a £10 maximum bet, and graphics that reflect a 2012 release. But within those constraints, this is a well-designed slot with a strong mathematical profile. Players who prioritise RTP over feature complexity will find it worth seeking out at operators that still carry it. See all NetEnt slots for the full provider catalogue.
Related Games
- Blood Suckers - NetEnt's 98% RTP vampire slot
- Blood Suckers II - the 2017 sequel
- Creature from the Black Lagoon - NetEnt horror from 2012
- Ghost Pirates - NetEnt's 2010 paranormal slot
- Alaxe in Zombieland - Microgaming's zombie take
- NetEnt Slots - full provider overview
- Casino Reviews - find casinos with Zombies
What is the RTP of Zombies slot?
The Zombies slot by NetEnt has an RTP of 97.2%, which is considerably above the industry average of 94-96%. This makes it one of the higher-return games in NetEnt's back catalogue.
How do you trigger free spins in Zombies?
Free spins are triggered by landing three scatter symbols simultaneously on reels 2, 3, and 4. This awards five free spins with an escalating multiplier: 1x on spin one, rising to 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x on the final spin. The feature can be retriggered.
What is the stacked wild in Zombies slot?
The stacked wild in Zombies is a bloodied zombie symbol that covers three rows and appears exclusively on reel 3. It nudges up or down by one position after landing to maximise coverage across the reel, potentially filling all three rows with wild substitutions.
What is the maximum win in Zombies slot?
The maximum win is 1,000x your stake, achieved by landing five chainsaw symbols on an active payline. The escalating multiplier during free spins can increase individual spin returns significantly, with the 10x multiplier on the fifth spin being the highest potential outcome.
Is Zombies slot still available at online casinos?
NetEnt decommissioned Zombies in April 2019, so it is no longer part of NetEnt's standard game distribution. Some online casinos still carry it in their legacy catalogue. Availability varies by operator, so checking individual casino game libraries is necessary.
What volatility is the Zombies slot?
Zombies has medium volatility. Wins land at a reasonable frequency without the extended dry spells typical of high-volatility games. The escalating multiplier in free spins provides meaningful upside potential, but the base game is relatively consistent in its payout behaviour.
Where to Play Zombies
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including Zombies. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Zombies RTP and Variance
Zombies has an RTP of 97.20%, which is well above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. Medium volatility offers a balanced mix of win frequency and payout size.
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