Wizard of Oz Wicked Riches Slot
The Wizard of Oz is a classic story for good reason and it translates perfectly into a wickedly fun slot gaming experience. WMS offers a range of Oz-themed games, including the Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers slot machine as well as the original Wizard of Oz slot machine, but Wicked Riches is perhaps the darkest of them all, as it moves away from Dorothy's story and centers upon the Wicked Witch herself. With 30 paylines across 5 reels, even the bonuses are designed around her destructive presence, featuring her ominous flying monkeys and the legendary tornado.
The Darker Side of Oz
As soon as you open the game, you know you're stepping into the darker side when you see the hauntingly lonely forest background in shades of black and purple. A full moon is the only light, casting long shadows that set the mood. Every one of the symbols are rendered to represent icons dear to the Wicked Witch. Her black hat, tattered broom, red-sanded hourglass and flying owl all appear on the reels. Even the wooden bucket of water that becomes her demise will earn you some cash when it's part of a winning payline.
The story of Oz wouldn't be complete without the terror of being caught up in a tornado, or the dreaded wave of fear that rises when you realize the Wicked Witch has released her evil flying monkeys toward you. But in Wicked Riches, these scarier aspects pay off, as they open the door to big bonus wins.
The Witch's signature tune plays as the reels spin, and the chime of an old clock dings when certain bonuses are landed. Like most WMS games, Wicked Riches offers a Free Spin Bonus. When three or more Wicked Riches Bonus symbols appear scattered across the reels, you automatically score eight free spins. Landing on winning lines at this time will trigger a randomly selected multiplier that appears at the top of the screen. This number can change with each of the eight spins and will range anywhere from 2X to 10X. At the end of Free Spins, the Wicked Witch calls you "My Pretty" and congratulates you on what you've taken from her, adding a fun twist to an already-enjoyable game.
Monkeys are Your Friends
Even though they swoop onto the screen with the Witch cackling, "Into the night, my lovelies!" you've finally found one scenario where you're happy to see the Flying Monkeys appear. When their symbol appears on the third reel, they fly one at a time, each swiping other symbols to turn them Wild to complete a winning payline. This Flying Monkey Bonus, which is essentially a shifting wild feature, triggers quite frequently and can add up to some serious bonus cash. It can also be triggered while playing in Free Spins.
Like the unpredictability of a real storm, you can't always know when the Tornado Bonus is headed your way. This perfectly random feature can appear after any spin and pops up quite suddenly as a twister blowing across the screen. The tornado then chooses one of the four progressive jackpots that you see across the top of your game screen. After finding out which jackpot you're playing for, you move on to a second screen where you choose a barn to see what prize you've won. Though the Tornado Bonus randomly appears, its value to you is determined by how much you bet on the triggering spin. A higher bet equals a greater chance of finding the winning barn.
Wickedly Simplistic
Wicked Riches offers pretty standard, straightforward slot play, making it a totally non-intimidating game to try if you're new to video slots. And selecting a wager couldn't be easier - there are only five to choose from, ranging from 0.30 to a max bet of 2.40.
A Different Trip through Oz
While WMS offers several Wizard of Oz themed slots, including Ruby Slippers, Wicked Riches is the only one that truly captures the full essence of the villain Witch. You won't find happily singing munchkins or a yellow brick road, but you will find easy play coupled with a just-right level of volatility. And what could be more fun than finally getting a little revenge on the old Witch by winning her riches for yourself?
