The Sahara Riches Cash Collect is an online slots game developed by Realtime Gaming (RTG). Released in 2018, this five-reel video slot offers players a unique blend of classic Arabian Nights themes and modern cash collection mechanics. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into the Sahara Riches Cash Collect slot intricacies of the game's design, features, and gameplay.
Game Setting and Visual Design
The Sahara Riches Cash Collect is set against the vibrant backdrop of ancient desert cities. Players are transported to a mystical world filled with exotic architecture, golden sands, and majestic camels. The reels themselves are divided into two main areas: the top reel and the bottom three reels. This design choice allows for an interesting gameplay dynamic where the cash collection mechanics intertwine with traditional slot play.
The visuals in Sahara Riches Cash Collect are richly detailed, featuring elaborate patterns of intricate tiles and ornaments on walls, floors, and buildings. Realistic lighting effects bring depth to the game's ambiance, immersing players further into the atmosphere. The overall visual aesthetic is both majestic and inviting, fitting for a title that promises riches.
Symbols, Animations, and Sound Design
The Sahara Riches Cash Collect boasts an impressive array of symbols, each imbued with its own personality and charm. Players will encounter standard card values (A-9) adorned in gold, gemstones, or other precious materials. These are complemented by six premium icons: a majestic Sultan's Palace, the enigmatic Pharaoh's Temple, a Golden Camel, an Arabian Horse, a Sultana (Arabian Princess), and the Desert Trader.
Each symbol has its unique animation sequence when landing on a winning line. For instance, the Sultan's Palace animates to reveal intricately painted frescoes, while the Golden Camel runs majestically across the reels as it appears.
Soundwise, Sahara Riches Cash Collect offers an authentic Arabian Nights soundtrack featuring soft instrumental melodies with Arabic-inspired instrumentation. The ambient sound effects – which include desert wind sounds and gentle water flow – further enhance the immersive atmosphere. A well-timed " jackpot" chime signals any win or bonus award, adding to the sense of anticipation.
Reels, Paylines, or Grid Mechanics
The game features a 3-4-5-3-2 grid mechanic with five reels and twenty paylines that can be adjusted by players to suit their betting preferences. Players can wager one or more credits per line, allowing for high-stakes action while preserving flexibility.
An interesting aspect of the Sahara Riches Cash Collect's gameplay lies in its "collect cash" feature, where prizes earned during free spins are temporarily stored and displayed above a gold treasure chest at the top of the reels. This mechanism combines traditional slot rewards with an intriguing strategy that players must balance against immediate wins to maximize payouts.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Flow
To play Sahara Riches Cash Collect, players place their wagers by selecting line amounts, coin values (between 0.01 to 1 credit each), and auto-play options if desired. The standard gameplay includes five base spins with potential re-spins upon completion of any winning combinations.
Players can trigger the game's unique "cash collect" feature during free spins when symbols land in specific locations or form certain patterns on the reels. A cash icon displayed above a gold chest (on top) accumulates collected prizes and will reset at end-of-round.
The auto-play function is supported with an option for players to choose between 1-1000 automatic spins, while also controlling spin speed by adjusting auto-spin interval options from "Faster," "Medium," or "Slower." This level of customization caters to the diverse preferences among slot enthusiasts.
Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols, and Special Icons
As a key part of Sahara Riches Cash Collect's gameplay mechanics are four main special icons. The first is a standard Wild that replaces all other symbols except for Scatters during wins; two scatter symbols unlock different features – Desert Bonus (awarding up to 50x wager) or Riches Bonus Round with three steps and escalating prize pools.
The last icon, "Collect," plays a significant role as the starting point of cash collection during free spins when certain winning combinations occur in specific positions. During this period, players collect any cash rewards earned through these specific symbol placements at top of the reels above gold treasure chest.
Bonus Features and Bonus Rounds
Sahara Riches Cash Collect offers two distinct bonus modes: Desert Bonus (triggered by one or more scatters) with a chance to win 50x your initial bet, and the main feature – Riches Bonus Round. The latter is awarded randomly during normal gameplay after triggering at least three specific symbols on same payline in any of first five reels.
Upon entering this special bonus round, players experience multiple segments containing cash amounts ranging from minimal wins (e.g., a gold piece for 1 credit) up to very large prizes depending upon winning combinations accumulated. These have an upward scaling effect with respect to accumulated credits placed on those lines during standard gameplay before triggering the feature – reaching maximum possible values significantly higher than initial stake.
Free Spins Mechanics and Variations
The free spins aspect in Sahara Riches Cash Collect plays a crucial role, allowing players to earn additional rewards during this phase when more valuable combinations land. Notably, it also comes with increased winning chances because Wild icons behave as multipliers enhancing payout from every combination they are part of.
For the bonus round described above ('Riches Bonus'), participants receive one free spin each time for accumulating higher-valued sets (5 or 6 golds combined), where collected riches pool increases along multiple sequences and is unlocked using accumulated prizes on last turn.