| Software | Microgaming |
|---|---|
| Slot Types | Video Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 243 |
| Slot Game Features | Wild Symbol, Scatters, Free Spins, Bonus Game |
| Min. Bet | 0.25 |
| Max. Bet | 125 |
| Jackpot | 60000 |
| Slot RTP | 98.00% |
This slot game brings to life the vibrancy, the theme, and the atmosphere of Chinese street festivals by incorporating this into its interface. Immerse yourself in the festivities of bright lanterns and Chinese firecrackers as a celebration of Chinese New Year or even your winning jackpot! The Dragon Dance slot game was created by Microgaming--one of the leading makers in the gaming market--and was released in February 2016, a timely Chinese New Year date. You may learn more about the game and its mechanics below
As mentioned earlier, the Chinese New Year celebration is the main theme of the slot game. Enjoy the game's illustrations and audio to allow you to experience the festivity through the screen! Enjoy watching the famous dragon dance performance, which is also shown by the characters in the game, when you play. The theme is constant throughout with the colors of gold, red, and purple. Moreover, you will notice the dancers, the musicians, and the surroundings that will truly highlight the festival's experience and the Asian culture.
A total of five reels with three rows are shown on the game, which grants the players to have 243 chances of winning up to 60,000 coins. The symbols present in this game are all influenced by Chinese culture. The most noticeable one would be the mighty Golden Dragon as the Chinese folks revere this mythological creature. The Dragon is considered a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in their culture. Thus, when these Golden Dragon symbols show itself on the screen, you can earn up to 20,000 coins. Apart from this, another dragon symbol is also featured in the game. The White Dragon, when seen on the reels, can award you with an amount of up to 12,500 coins. Other than this, other symbols also have different coin values for you to watch out for. These would include fan dancers where you can earn up to 10,000 coins, a Chinese maiden for 2,500 coins, and poker symbols that can raise your earnings by 1,000 coins. Lastly, the Dragon Dance logo also serves as a symbol which only appears in two reels and can act as any symbol except for a scatter symbol. All you need to do is line up or show at least three of a kind of symbols to get rewards.
What's not to like about having free spins from the game? Be sure to watch out for the firecrackers or scatter symbols as, just like presents, the game rewards you with fifteen trigger free spins for your gameplay and a 3x multiplier on your prize! They can either be in a line or even scattered throughout the reels. No wonder the game has a return to player (RTP) percentage of 96.52%. This term entails that the game returns a high rate of stakes to the players. A feature that most people are fascinated by the game is the use of respins or hyper spins. Hyperspins allows you to have the choice to spin any reel after each spin if you wish to maintain the others as it could raise your chances of forming a line of symbols and winning the jackpot. Moreover, if you see one of the scatter symbols, you can manage to land another with respins for you to accumulate three of the firecrackers for free spins. The only downside to this game feature is that each would cost you, which does not require an additional charge in comparison to normal spins.
The slot game gives you a choice to bet from a coin value of 0.25 to 125 for every spin you make. What makes Dragon Dance different is that the game all depends on you. You may strategize which reel to spin, which reel to keep, and which prize you want to attain. Calculating risks and the money you may lose is crucial for being at the top of your game. On the other hand, you are also given the option to have the machine automatically spin your reels and let fate decide your jackpot. The slot machine also allows you to change the game options for you to get the most out of your gaming experience.
A tip worth sharing would be that you should know when to give up on a specific combination you are expecting, especially when you have already bet and lost a huge amount of money. There is also a risk of only spinning one reel for the duration of your play, as it may be unlikely for you. Microgaming has claimed that reels that have symbols with a high value are those that are worth keeping. They say that this method of playing can grant you more chances of winning.
Dragon Dance is a Chinese New Year-themed online slot developed by Microgaming, and while it might not have grabbed headlines on launch, it’s quietly built a loyal fan base over the years. Released in 2016, this game continues to draw attention from players who enjoy a medium-volatility slot with a rich cultural backdrop, unique features like Hyperspins, and a remarkably high RTP that peaks at 98% on selected platforms.
This comprehensive review goes deep into everything this slot has to offer—from mechanics and aesthetics to payout potential and strategic play. Whether you're someone who enjoys festival-themed slots or you're simply chasing a reliable game with solid returns and engaging mechanics, this slot has a lot to offer.
Let’s start with the visual side of the game before looking at how it works, what it pays, and where it shines compared to other slots in the same category.
At its core, Dragon Dance pays homage to Chinese culture, particularly the vibrant spirit of Chinese New Year festivities. The entire setup leans into this celebration, from the symbols to the colors and background animations. You’ll find symbols like dancers in dragon costumes, cymbal players, firecrackers, and lanterns—all styled in a way that evokes the festive atmosphere that the theme is based on.
The color palette leans heavily on reds, golds, and oranges, which are traditional for good luck and prosperity. The reels are framed with intricate patterns, and the backdrop simulates a street parade or festival at night. Animations, while not overly advanced by today’s standards, still hold their own with crisp transitions and fun celebratory bursts when big wins occur. The audio backs the theme well with traditional-sounding instrumentals that play subtly behind each spin.
While some newer slot releases offer more elaborate animations or cinematic introductions, Dragon Dance maintains a clean interface, which many players appreciate for extended sessions. It doesn’t try to distract or overwhelm—its visuals are meant to serve the gameplay, not overshadow it.
Dragon Dance is structured on a standard 5x3 grid, which means it has five reels and three rows. What sets it apart from basic setups is that it uses the 243 ways to win mechanic instead of fixed paylines. This system means wins are awarded when matching symbols land on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel—no matter which row they’re in. The result is a higher hit frequency and more consistent base game engagement.
Bets range from as low as 0.25 up to 125.00, making the game accessible to casual players while also catering to high rollers who enjoy betting at the upper limits. Thanks to the wide range of bet options and the 243-way payout system, the game adapts well to many playing styles.
The controls are straightforward. You can manually spin, activate autoplay (with up to 100 auto-spins), and adjust your stake easily. What adds depth to the gameplay is the additional Hyperspins feature, which we’ll cover in a moment.
The wild symbol in Dragon Dance is represented by the game’s logo. Like most wilds, it substitutes for all standard symbols to help form winning combinations. It doesn’t appear stacked, nor does it come with multipliers on its own. However, it plays an essential supporting role, especially when paired with the respin feature.
The scatter is represented by a traditional Chinese firecracker. When three or more scatters appear anywhere on the reels, the free spins round is triggered. Players are awarded 15 free spins, and every win during these spins is multiplied by 3x. This multiplier alone turns even moderate wins into something worth noticing.
What makes the free spins more appealing is their potential to retrigger. Land three or more scatters again during the free spins round and you’ll earn another batch of 15, with the multiplier still active. It's one of the standout opportunities for bigger wins in the game.
Hyperspins is one of the most distinct features in this slot. After any regular base game spin, you can choose to respin individual reels for a set price. The cost of each reel changes based on the potential outcome—if the reel contains high-value symbols or a near-miss for a bonus, the respin cost will be higher.
This feature gives players some tactical flexibility. For example, if you land two scatters on reels one and two, you can respin the third, fourth, or fifth individually to try and trigger the free spins round. It also helps if you're just trying to complete a near-win combo involving high-paying symbols or wilds.
While it’s not a feature everyone will use, high rollers or strategic players might enjoy chasing specific outcomes with this paid respin mechanic. Just be mindful of the cost, as repeated respins can burn through your bankroll quickly.
One of the slot’s strongest advantages is its return-to-player rate. Depending on the casino platform you play at, Dragon Dance offers an RTP that ranges between 96.52% and 98%. This is well above average for online slots, giving players a solid chance to sustain their balance over time.
Volatility sits firmly in the medium range. This means you can expect a decent mix of small and moderate wins throughout a session, with occasional larger payouts during the bonus rounds. It’s a good balance for players who prefer neither the dry spells of high-volatility games nor the low-cap reward cycle of low-volatility slots.
As for maximum payouts, the highest win on a single spin is capped at around £60,000 when betting the maximum stake. This makes it attractive to risk-tolerant players, especially considering the potential impact of the 3x multiplier in the free spins.
Dragon Dance has been optimized to run smoothly on mobile devices. Whether you're playing on a smartphone or tablet, the game adjusts well to different screen sizes without compromising on quality. The layout remains clean, and the buttons are large enough for comfortable navigation.
There’s no need to download additional software or apps; the slot works directly in your mobile browser, regardless of whether you’re using iOS or Android. Load times are fast, and the animations remain fluid, even during longer sessions. Microgaming clearly ensured that this title remains functional and enjoyable across all platforms.
If you’re new to Dragon Dance or simply cautious with your budget, trying the demo version first is a smart move. The demo lets you explore all of the game’s mechanics—including the free spins and Hyperspins feature—without risking real money.
Once you're comfortable, you can transition to real-money play at reputable online casinos like Dream Vegas or Grand Ivy. These platforms not only host the game with its full RTP settings intact but often provide generous welcome bonuses that can give your starting bankroll a useful boost.
Compared to other culturally-themed or festival-themed slots, Dragon Dance holds its own. It may not have the cinematic appeal of newer releases, but its Hyperspins mechanic gives it a strategic angle that others often lack. Games like 88 Fortunes or Bikini Party from the same developer offer similar volatility, but they don’t have the respin functionality that gives players added control over the outcome.
If you’re specifically into Asian-themed slots, titles like Dragon’s Law or Year of the Dragon King might offer a fresh perspective. However, in terms of payout potential and mechanics, Dragon Dance remains highly competitive—even years after its initial release.
Like every slot, Dragon Dance has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick look:
Pros
Cons
To get the most out of Dragon Dance, it’s important to manage your bankroll with care, especially if you use the Hyperspins feature. While it's tempting to chase bonuses by respinning reels, those costs add up quickly. Instead, use Hyperspins selectively—ideally when two scatters land and you’re only one away from triggering free spins.
Also, consider starting with smaller stakes, especially during your first few sessions. The medium volatility means that wins are reasonably frequent, but they vary in size. Playing longer sessions at lower bets can help you trigger the bonus features without blowing your budget too quickly.
Lastly, take advantage of demo play before betting real money. It’s the best way to understand the game’s rhythm and see how frequently features are triggered.
Dragon Dance is one of those under-the-radar slots that continues to reward players with its simplicity, feature set, and high RTP. It might not be the flashiest title in Microgaming’s portfolio, but it provides real value to players who enjoy medium volatility games with unique mechanics like Hyperspins.
Whether you're in it for the aesthetics, the bonus round excitement, or simply chasing consistent returns, Dragon Dance delivers a well-rounded experience that’s worth a spin.
Dragon Dance offers an RTP that ranges between 96.52% and 98%, depending on the casino you choose. This puts it among the higher-paying slots available online, making it a solid pick for long-term value.
Yes, the game is fully optimized for mobile play. Whether you're using an Android phone, iPhone, or tablet, the layout adjusts perfectly to your screen, and all features—including Hyperspins and free spins—remain fully accessible.
After any regular spin, you can choose to respin one or more individual reels for a cost. The price depends on the potential outcome. It’s a strategic feature that gives you a second shot at completing a winning combo or triggering the free spins round.
Yes, landing three or more scatter symbols triggers 15 free spins, and every win during the round is tripled. You can also retrigger this bonus for even more chances to win with the 3x multiplier active.
No, Dragon Dance does not include a progressive jackpot. Instead, it offers a fixed maximum payout of up to £60,000, which can be reached during high-stakes play and the free spins bonus.
| Software | Microgaming |
|---|---|
| Slot Types | Video Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 243 |
| Slot Game Features | Wild Symbol, Scatters, Free Spins, Bonus Game |
| Min. Bet | 0.25 |
| Max. Bet | 125 |
| Jackpot | 60000 |
| Slot RTP | 98.00% |