The
X Factor Jackpot slot machine is a follow-up to the "X-factor Steps To Stardom" game
and has been developed by London-based Ash Gaming who are now owned by Playtech. When you play the X-Factor Jackpot,
it doesn't take long to realise that it's also a huge improvement over the first version with three seperate
bonus features and some fantastic footage from the UK version of the X-Factor TV show.
As branded slots go, I'm not sure it really has the longevity of some other comparative games, such as
IGT's latest Elvis slot which also has 3 seperate bonus features,
mainly because the main bonus feature plays out too slowly in my opinion and, along with
Gladiator
and the
Deal Or No deal slot machine it is one of the few games here at
Games & Slot Machines that won't be found in land-based casinos.
The three bonus features in the X-Factor Jackpot slot machine are very different. My favorite is the free spin feature which,
like Playtech's
Iron man 2 slot has sticky wilds. In X Factor however, you get
up to 4 sticky wild symbols and up to 20 free spins (both numbers are random). That said, and although it's my favorite bonus feature
here, I've never won a massive amount from it. I'm guessing one of the 4 jackpots that the slot offers would satisfy that
craving!
The "Microphone bonus" round is pretty boring - it's simply a monetary award when the microphone symbol lands on the center reel -
but the main bonus feature, where you get to vote on the X Factor acts, is excellent. It can take quite a while to play out if you
are doing well but it's great eye-and-ear-candy, especially if you are a fan of the show. Another interesting fact about the
X-Factor 2 slot machine is that it's "
scaleable" meaning that, after every X-factor series, Ash Gaming can update
the performers and songs to keep the game fresh.
When you play X-Factor 2, it makes Novomatic games like
the Book Of Ra and Aristocrat
offerings like the
Queen Of The Nile slot machine feel a bit dated. However,
as far as game-play goes, you get the impression that the X-Factor slot is built to entertain rather than to make
people millionaires. OK, so the jackpots will actually make some people much, much better off over time (not in
fun play mode obviously!) but if you are looking for a game to make a quick killing from and don't mind high risk
slot machines, games like the
Dolphin's Pearl slot or another Novomatic favorite
the Sizzling Hot Deluxe slot machine are going to be more up
your street than the X-Factor slots. If however you want fun and are happy with modest profits every now and again, X Factor 2 is a
hard act to beat.
