| Updated: We can confidently say that style is Mancala Gaming’s forte, even when the provider tackles classic slot themes that are popular at most casinos. Fruit Collector offers a fresh take on the genre, not only because of its aesthetics and layout but also because of its gameplay. With the Life Bar mechanic, free spins, and other features, Mancala Gaming has made the most of the one-reel slot concept, creating an action-packed title.
We were also pleased to see that Mancala Gaming’s interface is as convenient as ever: there are more than 15 language options; you can activate the auto-spin feature by long-pressing the spin button; and switching between landscape and portrait modes on mobile is easy.
Fruit Collector Theme, Graphics, and Sounds
In terms of appearance, veteran gamblers might find that Fruit Collector evokes a sense of nostalgia, as the slot draws visual inspiration from retro slot machines. The quality of the graphics certainly meets modern gaming standards, and several aspects of Fruit Collector’s layout make it stand out. The game has only one reel, and next to it are the Buy Bonus button, the Scatter symbol counter, and the collection of fruits you accumulate during gameplay. The icons in Fruit Collector are classic fruit symbols that were once standard in older slot machines, with the Lucky 7 taking center stage. The background music features a catchy, dynamic beat that keeps it from becoming monotonous. It also reinforces the slot’s retro atmosphere.
Fruit Collector Symbols and Payouts
Fruit Collector has a unique layout. The game uses one reel, and during the base game, only the middle position of the reel counts toward creating winning combinations. During Free Spins, however, the winline can occupy one of three possible positions instead of remaining in the middle row, thanks to the Bonus Life feature.
You must collect three matching symbols to score a win, which means you will need to spin the reel multiple times to complete a set of winning icons and receive a payout. You can track your fruit collection in the box to the left of the reel, while the Bell count is displayed in the Free Spins section on the right.
Players should also note the life bar at the top of the reel. The bar contains three hearts, which represent your lives. Whenever you land a Bell icon or a symbol that can be added to a potential winning combination, no lives are consumed. You will also keep your lives if you land a Respin symbol. If an empty spot appears on the payline, however, you lose one life. Once you run out of lives, all combinations in progress reset to zero. A line of symbols also resets when those icons form a winning combination.
As established, you need to land three matching symbols to score a win. A set of three Cherries pays 1x your bet, while three Oranges pay 2x. Three Plums award 4x your stake, and three Watermelons pay 7x. The Bar pays 10x your stake, while the Lucky 7 awards 50x, making it the most lucrative symbol.
The game also has a Scatter icon, the Bell, and collecting three of them triggers the Free Spins bonus. There is also a Wild Horseshoe symbol that adds a random symbol to your fruit collection if it is empty. If you land a Wild while fruit combinations are already in progress, the Horseshoe grants you one copy of each fruit involved in a potential winning combination. Finally, the Special Respin icon is a base-game-only symbol that awards a respin.
Fruit Collector Bonus Mechanics
In addition to its innovative core gameplay, Fruit Collector includes several extra features. The first is the Free Spins mechanic, which you access by collecting three Bell Scatter symbols. You receive 15 free spins in total and are automatically granted three lives at the start.
After each spin, the winline pointer moves and lands on one of three possible positions. This is Fruit Collector’s Bonus Life mechanic, which can be activated only during the Bonus Game. If the pointer initially lands on an empty position, you do not lose a life because the feature gives you a second chance. You lose a life only if the arrow points to an empty spot on both attempts.
As in the base game, fruits are added to your collection when they land on an active pointer, and Wilds grant additional fruits. Scatter and Respin icons, however, are not available during this mode. Your symbol progress and life count are preserved when the free spins end.
Fruit Collector’s Respin mechanic is the next feature. It is straightforward: you simply need to land a Special Respin symbol to receive one respin. As mentioned above, this feature is available only in the base game.
The final extra feature is the Buy Bonus, which lets you purchase access to the Free Spins mechanic. As with the naturally triggered Free Spins feature, you are granted three lives at the start, and the second-chance mechanic remains enabled throughout Free Spins mode. Note that buying the Free Spins bonus resets your base-game fruit collection progress, so the optimal strategy is to buy free games when your fruit count is at zero.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, we were impressed with what Fruit Collector has to offer. The game includes several bonus features that are fun and easy to understand. The slot’s visuals and sound design are excellent, and the overall experience caters to players who enjoy familiar themes as well as those looking for something new and distinctive. As an HTML5 title, Fruit Collector can also be played while you are out and about.