Play Catch Phrase For Real Money With Bonus
Review of Catch Phrase Online Slot Machine
This Endemol slot is inspired by the Catch Phrase TV show that debuted in the 1980s. Upon first glance, the setup appeared to be reminiscent of the 1980s era. To be fair, there are three distinct bonus games loosely based on the original game. The robot mascot from the show (Mr. Chips) hosts all of them, while the more well-known host, Roy Walker, is replaced by a more generic symbol. Although the overall vibe is retro, the bonuses and additional animations in this slot beyond the regular gameplay reveal its modern nature.
As expected from a gameshow-themed slot, the music soundtrack exudes a cheesy charm. Accompanied by mechanical reel spinning noises and computer beeps, the brass band tunes truly come alive during the bonus rounds. Visually, the game boasts a blocky style, with colorful symbols set against a dual-tone background. The reels are enclosed in a large speech bubble, a signature element from the show. Symbols include question mark symbols from the original game, along with a host, question cards, and playing card symbols, while all bonus icons feature various versions of Mr. Chips.
Slots like this draw inspiration from the show for their bonus games, simplifying show concepts to suit the slot format. These include the Catchphrase bonus, where players guess phrases from pictures, the Ready Money bonus, offering a free spins game, and the Super Catch Phrase bonus, a pyramid-themed pick-em round.
Gameplay and Features of Catch Phrase
This slot features 20 pay lines, with the option to play fewer if desired. The bet per line starts at 1p (in British Pounds in the version played) and goes up to £10 per line, allowing for a minimum spin of 20p up to a maximum of £200. Autoplay functionality is available.
The top-paying regular symbol is the host, awarding 500 coins for landing 5 on a payline. Following are the red and blue question marks, worth 300 and 200 coins respectively. Catch Phrase cards yield 125 coins for 5, while playing card symbols offer smaller wins.
Wild symbols are the most lucrative in the game, represented by the Catch Phrase logo, awarding 5000 coins for 5 on a line. Additionally, wilds substitute for all regular symbols (excluding scatters/bonus symbols). Different variations of Mr. Chips provide smaller scatter payouts, with 3 or more triggering various features.
Catch Phrase Bonus Rounds
Triggering the Ready Money bonus game requires landing 3 symbols of the single Mr. Chips (the one holding money). This round offers free spins with a multiplier; before the spins commence, a pick-em round based on the 3×3 grid from the original gameshow occurs. Participants press a buzzer to reveal either free spins or a multiplier, with the total spins tallied before returning to the reels.
Getting 3 of the double Mr. Chips symbols unlocks the Catch Phrase bonus, where players hit a ‘buzzer’ spot on the reels. Puzzles appear on the left screen, with players guessing to accumulate prizes. The final bonus (activated with 3 Mr. Chips Superman symbols) entails a pyramid game where players progress levels by selecting prizes or advancing upwards. This game offers more interaction compared to simple buzzer-hitting.
The ‘Housemates Tasks’ bonus round is perhaps the least interactive feature from Endemol. Players choose 3 envelopes from a 3×3 grid, each containing a task and payout, which adds up. While keeping with the spirit of the original show, there could have been more engaging alternatives.
Catch Phrase – Verdict
My feelings about this slot are mixed. Despite initially perceiving it as dated, the bonus games lacked interactivity, becoming monotonous quickly. Nevertheless, the core gameplay is solid, typical of Endemol games—smooth and polished. Fans of the original show or those seeking a nostalgic experience may enjoy this slot. However, despite the inclusion of three distinct bonus games, there may not be enough depth to make it truly captivating.
