Launched by Microgaming in 2003, Thunderstruck is one of the earlier pokies that set the stage for many mythology-themed games. Featuring Thor, the Norse god of Thunder, the game draws heavily from Nordic mythology, incorporating symbols such as Thor’s hammer, lightning bolts, and a castle.
While Thunderstruck was a significant milestone in Pokies design at its release, the game offers basic features like Wilds and Free Spins but lacks the complexity and innovations seen in modern Pokies.
This original Thunderstruck Pokies does not include a linked or progressive jackpot.
For those looking for a modern experience, Thunderstruck II (2010) offer enhanced visuals and more advanced features like progressive jackpots. Thunderstruck II, for example, includes a multi-level bonus feature.
In this review
What is the theme and storyline of Thunderstruck?
It is a pokies game about the Norse god Thor. The reel symbols include Thor, his magic hammer, a drinking horn, and lightning. The game looks good and has decent win animations.
While Thunderstruck is based on the classical version of Thor, it gives the user a cartoony feel, even though it is not based on Marvel Comics. Even though the game has been around for a long time, it doesn’t seem particularly dated.
The game does not have background music during playtime, but it does have some little effects of sounds to enhance your actions, although it is a pretty quiet game.
Payout affecting features
Bet Size: A range of betting sizes are available on Thunderstruck, starting at $0.01 per payline and going up to $5 per payline. In a 9-payline pokies game, you can bet from $0.09 to $45 per spin.
RTP (Return to Player): Its Return to Player (RTP) is around 96%. Players are typically paid back for every $100 wagered over time.
Variance: Thunderstruck has a median variance. Hence, it balances smaller, more frequent wins and larger, less frequent ones.
Graphics and Sound
As we’ve reviewed, the graphics on Nordic-themed pokies are often impressive. Stormy clouds surround a colourful grid suspended in the sky, and the 2D graphics add dramatic lighting effects to the game.
This pokies machine comes with a sound that mimics the reels’ movement, enhancing the atmosphere. Although the graphics seem fairly old, the game is still engaging.
How do you play the game?
In this game, you can bet a maximum of 45 coins per spin. It offers a jackpot of 10,000 coins for a maximum of 50,000 coins.
One thing that sets this machine apart from other older machines is the free spin feature. Three scatter symbols on a spin give the player 15 free spins. The jackpots during these spins are multiplied three times, bringing the maximum jackpot to 150,000 coins.
Thunderstruck includes the scatter symbol (The Ram), a wild symbol (Thor), and other Norse mythology symbols, such as the ice hammer and staffs. The jackpot is won by getting five wild symbols on one pay line.
Microgaming is the leading software developer for poker machines. It always creates machines with graphics and sound, and Thunderstruck is no different.
Jackpot and potential win
While Thunderstruck’s 10,000 coin jackpot may not be the largest of all pokies, its popularity speaks volumes. Despite having nine paylines and a base game jackpot of 10,000 coins, the game might not seem good at first glance. But its bonus features are what capture players’ attention.
The player receives 15 free spins with a 3x multiplier when three or more scatter symbols (rams) appear, significantly boosting their winning potential. There are additional chances for lucrative payouts when these free spins are retriggered.
A jackpot of 150,000 coins is possible in the bonus round when five Thor wilds are landed. A gambling option adds a layer that could increase players’ earnings. No doubt triggering the free spin rounds takes some time, but the anticipation and high reward potential make each spin thrilling.
Its unique features and payout opportunities make Thunderstruck a very popular poker game.
How do you win?
Know the Paytable: Understand symbol payouts and bonus features.
Manage Your Budget: Set a limit and adjust bets to extend play.
Use Bonuses: Activate free spins and multipliers for bigger wins.
Bet Max: Opt for the highest bet to access top jackpots.
Practice Free: Use demo versions to learn the game without risking money.
Thunderstruck free spins
Thunderstruck is renowned for its classic online poker game experience, featuring engaging free spins and bonus rounds. If a player lands three or more Ram symbols, they will be awarded 15 free spins.
During these free spin rounds, the value of each win is tripled by a 3x multiplier. It is possible to retrigger the free spins by landing three or more scatter symbols a second time, with no limit to the number of free spins you can accumulate.
Wild and the Scatter Symbols
The “Thor” is a wild symbol. It can substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations, except it does not apply to combinations that can only be supplied by the Rams (scatter) symbol.
The Thor also pays off the most for five in a row across a payline, with 10,000 for five. Also, when it is a wild symbol, it doubles any win.
The scatter symbol is the “Rams” symbol, and when three or more of these turn up on any spin, the Free Spins Bonus Game will activate. They can appear anywhere on the five reels.
After any regular win, players can compete in the Gamble Bonus Feature. In this process, you, as the player, would be confronted with a face-down card, and you can either guess as to what colour it is – red or black (right guess will double your winnings) or what suit it is (diamonds, hearts, spades, clubs) which will quadruple the winnings.
Three or more of the Rams on the screen award players 15 free spins where all winnings during the free spins are tripled. The free spins can also be triggered.
Thor on his own offers some incredible winning payouts: two of the Thor symbols on the active payline award players ten coins, and three of the Thor symbols on the active payline award players 200 coins.
Four Thor symbols on an active payline award players 2000 coins, and five of the Thor symbols on an active payline award players an astonishing 10000 coins, the highest payout in the base game.
Apart from the wild symbol, there is also a scatter symbol, denoted by the rams, Thor’s accompaniment on every mission.
Two of the Rams on screen award players a 2x multiplier, three of the Rams award players a 5x multiplier, four of the Rams award players a 20x multiplier, and five of the Rams award players a 500x multiplier.
The Rams scatter is also responsible for the free spins, and three or more of the Rams on screen award players 15 free spins, during which all winnings are tripled.
Bets and Payouts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Lines | Up to 9 pay lines can be enabled for each game. |
| Coin Sizes Available | NZD$0.01, $0.02, $0.05, $0.10, $0.20, $0.25, $0.50, and $1. |
| Adjusting Bet Size | Use the “+” and “-” symbols to increase or decrease the coin size. |
| Max Bet Option | “Bet Max” button enables all pay lines and wagers the maximum amount automatically. |
| Payout Display | A graphic display shows payouts for symbol combinations and pay tables. |
| Jackpot | Maximum jackpot is 10,000 coins. |
As soon as you click the “spin” button, Thunderstruck will launch on your mobile device. You can adjust the size of the bet and the number of pay lines that will be enabled.
The pokies allow you to enable up to nine pay lines for each game. The coin size can be adjusted from .01 to .02 to .05 to .10 to .20 to .25 to .50 to NZD$1.
The coin size is adjusted by clicking on a minus (-) symbol or the plus (+) symbol to increase or decrease. You can cut through all this by clicking the “Bet Max” button on the game command menu, automatically enabling all pay lines and wagers to the maximum amount.
You can look at the payouts at any point, as they are posted on a big graphic display. There is a series of tables that gives you the payoff for combinations, including each of the various symbols.
The strengths of this game and its durability are its solid gameplay, decent jackpot (10,000 coins), and flexibility of coin size, which makes it attractive to both high rollers and casual pokies fans.
What sets this apart?
Thunderstruck was one of the first machines to offer free spins, which helped it become the game of the year in 2003.
It also offers a gambling feature that allows players to double their winnings by correctly choosing the colour of a random card. While these features may be found on other machines, they still do not match Thunderstruck.
FAQ
How do I play Thunderstruck?
To play Thunderstruck, select your bet size and the number of pay lines you wish to activate. Then, spin the reels and watch for winning combinations of symbols, with Thor and Rams being the most important ones.
What symbols are in Thunderstruck, and how do they affect the game?
The game features symbols like Thor (the wild), Rams (the scatter), and Norse mythology-themed symbols. Thor acts as a wild symbol, substituting for others and doubling your wins. Rams trigger the free spins bonus with a multiplier.
How does the free spin feature work in Thunderstruck?
When you land three or more Rams scatter symbols on the reels, you trigger the free spins bonus. You receive 15 free spins, and all winnings during this bonus round are tripled. This can lead to some significant payouts.
Can I adjust the size of my bet in Thunderstruck?
You can adjust your bet size in Thunderstruck by changing the coin size and the number of paylines you wish to activate. This game caters to high rollers and casual players with various betting options.
Is there a gamble feature in Thunderstruck?
Yes, Thunderstruck offers a gambling feature that allows you to double your winnings by correctly guessing the colour of a random card. This feature adds an extra layer to the game.