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Buffalo Slot - Features, RTP, Free Spins & Bonuses

We can easily say that the following video slot might be one of the most popular titles available in the market. Buffalo, created by Aristocrat Technologies in 2008, started as a land-based machine slot title and quickly became a hit among players of all playstyles. The title marked an essential transition from actual reels to a video screen, and alongside free spins, multipliers, Wilds, and medium volatility, the successful reputation behind Buffalo is well-deserved.

Buffalo Slot Screenshots

Best Casinos to Play Buffalo Slot

SoftwareB3W Group
Slot TypesVideo Slots
Reels4
Paylines11
Slot Game FeaturesBonus Rounds Wild Symbol Multipliers Free Spins
Min. Bet0.05
Max. Bet0.25
Jackpot1000
Slot RTP96.43%

Animal Symbols and Coin Value

Considering that Buffalo offers a fantastic 1024 pay lines, the game also provides a Reel Cost parameter where you get to select the reels that will play for the spin. It is called Xtra Reel Power, and it's a classic Aristocrat feature by now, where the number of reels will determine how much you end up paying. If you decide to go with the entire screen selected, your bet will have a cost of 40 credits. The minimum bet starts at $0.10, and the maximum amount allowed per spin is $100, which translates into a coin value fluctuating between a single cent and $2.

The low-paying symbols consist of the classic poker items, going from 9 to the royals, decorated with golden crowns and shields. When it comes to the high-value symbols, we can find wild animals such as the tiger, an eagle, and a moose. In the case of the Buffalo symbol, landing 5 of them will grant you 300x your stake, and you'll hear a man screaming in excitement whenever this happens. This number is the highest possible one when it comes to a single winning combination, and they can give out big prizes if you happen to land entire reels of buffalos. Simultaneously, the Buffalo item's potential wins are the equivalent of a jackpot, and this might not sit well with high rollers searching for that progressive gigantic reward. But don't get fooled by this! This timeless game hasn't stood the test of time just to be dismissed by a single number.

 

SoftwareB3W Group
Slot TypesVideo Slots
Reels4
Paylines11
Slot Game FeaturesBonus Rounds Wild Symbol Multipliers Free Spins
Min. Bet0.05
Max. Bet0.25
Jackpot1000
Slot RTP96.43%

The Wild symbols in this game are the sunsets, which can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, allowing you to increase your chances of getting winning combinations whenever you land this item. It will act as a replacement for all symbols except for the scatter. Speaking of which, this game does include a Scatter item, and it is represented by a golden coin, which will trigger much welcoming free spins once you get at least 3 of them in your reels.

Free Spins Bonus Feature

The bonus feature in Buffalo comes in the shape of free spins. If you land at least 3 sunsets scatter symbols in any of the reels, you start with 8 free spins and, if you're lucky enough to land 5 Coin items, you'll win 20 free spins for the event. The spins have the potential to include a multiplier symbol that will add 2x or 3x to your wins, with the player being able to reach up to 27x bonus multiplier. What's great about this bonus feature is that you can retrigger more free spins if you happen to land more than 3 scatters through the free spins, adding 5 of them to the countdown on the screen. As always, it might take a few rounds to trigger some free spins, but they're a great addition to an already exciting game format.

Gamble Button Feature

The classic title includes a staple feature from Aristocrat Technologies, tempting players who are always looking to win big. The Gamble button can be found underneath the wins for the round: once you click it, a new screen comes out and allows you to select a color or a suit. If you guess the color correctly, your wins will be doubled, and if you happen to choose the correct suit, the amount will have a 4x multiplier. Keep in mind that you can use the Gamble feature up to 5 times before starting another round, and if you guess the wrong choice, you will lose all wins. We feel like it's a great addition for those looking for an extra adrenaline dose while playing. Since it's completely optional, those who decide to ignore will have no penalties from that decision.

American Aesthetic and Wild Theme

Starting with the logo with three buffaloes running towards the screen, it is evident that the Australian software distributor went with a theme reminiscent of North America's wildlands. The digital copy includes background noise extracted from any land-based casino, which can be a welcoming addition to players in the comfort of their homes. If you feel like the sounds are too distracting, you can go to the in-game settings and deactivate them.

When it comes to the visual appearance, we have to consider Buffalo was released during the 2000s, and video slots have come a long way with fancier animations and more refined graphics. But we cannot deny the charm from a true classic, and the animations used for the Wild symbol or the Buffalo item are used with precision.

The screen's bottom shows the reel cost, current, and total bet alongside the Play button. This title also includes the Autoplay feature, where you can select up to 100 spins. Before activating it, make sure you got enough credits for them!

Why Players Still Can’t Get Enough of the Buffalo Slot

The Buffalo slot sits in rare company. Few games manage to hold attention on a casino floor for more than a decade while still drawing clicks online. Aristocrat’s wildlife classic does both, thanks to a simple setup that hides surprising punch during the free spins bonus. If you’re weighing up whether Buffalo deserves room in your bankroll, this review walks through the essentials with clear stats, plain language, and practical tips—no fluff, just what matters.

Theme, art direction, and sound

Buffalo leans into an Americana wildlife theme. Think sun-bleached plains and a skyline caught at golden hour. Symbols include buffalo, eagle, cougar, wolf, and elk, plus the standard card ranks for lower pays. A sunset wild acts as the stand-in symbol, while a gold coin serves as the scatter.

Graphics favor clarity over fuss. That clean readability is part of the game’s staying power. You always know what landed, where the wins sit, and how close you are to a trigger. Audio completes the identity: a distinctive “BUFFALO!” call, energetic win jingles, and crisp reel stops. Nostalgia lives here, but it’s functional nostalgia—snappy, responsive, and tuned for pace.

How Buffalo plays

Buffalo uses “ways to win” rather than traditional paylines. You’re paid for matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of exact line positions. That design keeps base-game hits coming while you hunt the bonus.

  • Choose your stake and, in some versions, your “reel power” or bet multiplier.
  • Spin manually or set up autoplay and quick-spin where allowed.
  • Watch for gold coin scatters; three or more open the free spins round.
  • Sunset wilds substitute for most symbols, with special behavior in the bonus.

No tricky side mechanics, no feature buy, no cascade gimmicks. Buffalo strips the noise away and doubles down on a single explosive moment: free spins with multipliers.

Symbols and pays that matter

Premiums carry the show. The buffalo symbol delivers the headline payouts when stacked across reels. Eagles and big-cat icons backfill the win curve, while card ranks keep the base game ticking. Wilds and scatters do the heavy lifting for momentum:

  • Wild (sunset): Substitutes for regular symbols. In the bonus, wilds can carry multipliers that amplify wins dramatically.
  • Scatter (gold coin): Three coins trigger 8 free spins; four coins award 15; five coins award 20. Retriggers are very much on the table during the feature.

Stacking premiums is the name of the game. Reels can flood with the same high-value symbol, and when that overlaps with a wild multiplier, totals jump in a hurry.

Free spins: where Buffalo roars

Buffalo’s bonus round is why the game became a staple. Land three or more gold coins to enter free spins, then look for wilds on the center reels. During free spins, wilds can apply 2× or 3× multipliers. Multiple wilds in a single winning path multiply together, which means:

  • One 2× wild doubles the line win.
  • One 3× wild triples it.
  • A 2× plus a 3× on the same path turns into 6×.
  • Three wild multipliers can spike wins to eye-popping totals.

Retriggers are frequent enough to matter. More free spins keep the reels hot, and stacked premiums during a retrigger streak create those memorable sessions players talk about. You won’t see a mash-up of side features inside the bonus—no pick rounds or trail climbs—just clean multiplier math that rewards stacked symbols.

Xtra Reel Power and ways-to-win variants

Over the years, Buffalo branched into variants that tweak the frame and the number of ways to win. You’ll encounter classic 243-ways setups and 1,024-ways versions branded under the Xtra Reel Power banner. More ways support heavier stacking and smoother hit distribution, especially when reels throw multiple premium symbols into view. The trade-off: higher ways often pair with slightly different bet structures, so check the stake ladder before you spin.

RTP, volatility, and payout profile

RTP around 94.85% puts Buffalo on the tighter side compared with many modern online slots. That figure can scare away cautious players, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Volatility and hit distribution do the heavy lifting in this game’s profile:

  • Base game keeps you engaged with frequent small wins.
  • Bonus game introduces outsized potential through multiplier stacking.
  • Max potential around 7,600× shows up when retriggers, stacked premiums, and multiple wild multipliers align.

Patience is key. Choppy stretches happen. The reward is a feature that can jump from quiet to electric in a single spin when multipliers land on top of a five-reel premium run.

Betting range and bankroll pacing

Smart pacing makes Buffalo more enjoyable. A few rules of thumb:

  • Set a session budget in advance. Volatility needs breathing room.
  • Keep base stakes modest until you’ve seen your first bonus or two.
  • Consider a small stake bump only after a cold streak ends; avoid chasing losses.
  • Use autoplay sparingly. Manual spins help you read momentum and take breaks.
  • Lock wins. If a feature drops a big return, bank a portion and reset your baseline.

No stake pattern guarantees better results, but good habits protect your headspace and sustain the fun when variance leans against you.

Mobile play and performance

Modern Buffalo builds run on HTML5, so you get seamless performance on phones, tablets, and desktop. Buttons feel chunky and responsive, reels stay legible on smaller screens, and sound scales nicely with device volume. Many players first meet Buffalo inside social casino apps, then move to real-money versions at licensed operators. Either way, the core rhythm remains the same: fast base spins, clean animations, and a bonus that does the heavy lifting.

Pros and cons

What Buffalo does well

  • Recognizable theme with crystal-clear symbols and sound cues
  • Ways-to-win format that keeps base-game spins lively
  • Free spins with 2×/3× wild multipliers and real retrigger potential
  • Strong top-end hits when stacked premiums meet multipliers
  • Simple rules that new players grasp in minutes

Where Buffalo shows its age

  • RTP trails many newer online titles
  • No feature buy for instant bonus access
  • No progressive jackpot
  • Visuals favor clarity over flash; some players prefer more modern polish

Practical tips for better sessions

  • Start in demo mode to feel the hit rate and bonus cadence.
  • Keep sound on if possible; audio cues help track scatters and wins.
  • Stacks matter more than single premium sightings. Scan reels for clustering tendencies.
  • Retriggers fuel the biggest totals. If free spins hit early and retrigger, consider banking part of the uplift.
  • Schedule sessions rather than playing on tilt. Volatility rewards a clear head.
  • Treat any streak—hot or cold—as variance, not a signal to swing bets wildly.

Where to play Buffalo online

Look for regulated, licensed casinos in your region. Large brands commonly carry Buffalo or its close relatives and typically offer:

  • A free demo alongside real-money play where regulations allow
  • Clear game info panels showing RTP, volatility, and feature rules
  • Mobile web and app support
  • Account-level tools for deposit limits and time-outs

Names change by jurisdiction, yet the checklist above helps you locate a fair, well-run venue for your Buffalo sessions.

Similar slots and worthy sequels

Enjoy the wildlife theme and multiplier-driven bonus? A few neighbors sit in the same design family:

  • Buffalo Gold and other Buffalo-branded sequels that expand on retriggers and multipliers
  • Timber Wolf for a cousin with stacking behavior and a comparable pace
  • Zorro and Wicked Winnings II for fans of Aristocrat’s classic math feel
  • Buffalo Blitz from another studio, echoing the stacked-symbol, ways-to-win excitement with a different twist

Rotating through adjacent titles can keep a bankroll fresh while hitting the same core vibes you liked in Buffalo.

Who Buffalo suits best

  • Players who enjoy simple, readable reels with no side-quest clutter
  • Fans of high-volatility bonuses powered by multiplier stacking
  • Session planners who budget for dry spells and aim for bonus bursts
  • Nostalgia-driven players who first met the game on a casino floor
  • Mobile spinners wanting snappy rounds without complex minigames

If you prefer frequent features, progressive jackpots, or dense bonus menus, a modern feature-packed slot might suit you better. Buffalo shines when you value clean rules, a proven math model, and the rush of a big multiplier chain.

Final verdict

Buffalo earned its status the hard way—by rewarding patience with moments that stay with you. A clean ways-to-win chassis, a gold coin trigger that lands often enough to keep hope alive, and multiplying wilds that can turn a regular round into a standout result form a tight, satisfying package. Graphics lean classic and the RTP sits on the firmer side, yet the math model still feels fresh because the core loop remains compelling: stack premiums, trigger the feature, chase retriggers, and let the multipliers do their work.

If your tastes run to loud visuals and sprawling bonus menus, other modern releases will scratch that itch. If you value clarity, tempo, and a bonus that can leap from quiet to unforgettable in one spin, Buffalo remains essential. Set a budget, keep your head, and give those reels a fair run. The herd still has plenty to say.

FAQs about Buffalo slot

What is the RTP?

RTP typically sits around 94.85%. Some regions and versions drift slightly, so check the game info panel where you play.

Is Buffalo a high-volatility slot?

Yes, expect longer base stretches with bursts of strong returns during the bonus.

How do you trigger free spins?

Land three, four, or five gold coin scatters to trigger 8, 15, or 20 free spins. Retriggers are possible.

Do wilds multiply wins?

In free spins, sunset wilds can apply 2× or 3× multipliers. Multiple wilds on a winning path multiply together.

Does Buffalo have a progressive jackpot?

No. You’re playing for fixed top-end hits, with headline wins around the 7,600× mark on common online variants.