Narcos is not a quiet branded pokie with a logo placed over standard reels. NetEnt uses the crime-drama setting properly here, with 243 ways, Walking Wilds, Drive-by symbol changes, Free Spins and a Locked Up feature that gives the game its own rhythm. You get action, but the rules stay readable.
last updated 12 June 2026
Narcos Pokie Review
Gangster-Themed
Crime-Themed
American-Themed
Quick Facts
RTP
96.2%
Volatility
High
Provider
NetEnt
Min Bet
AU$0.20
Max Bet
AU$400
Max Win
1,506x
Free spins
Bonus game
Wild symbol
Scatter Symbol
Multiplier
Symbol Stacked
Jackpot Game
Slot reels
5
Slot lines
243 ways to win
Release Date
2019
Page contents
- Game Overview
- Game Features & Mechanics
- Technical Specifications
- Paytable & Symbol Values
- Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
- Game Gallery
- Narcos on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
- How Narcos Compare to Similar Pokies?
- About NetEnt — The Developer Behind the Game
- Final Verdict
- Last Pokie Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Game Overview
Narcos is a NetEnt pokie released on 19 May 2019. It plays on a 5x3 grid with 243 ways to win, so there are no adjustable paylines to manage. The official RTP is 96.23%, the listed hit frequency is 27.00%, and the maximum payout is 1,000x bet. The original bet range runs from $0.20 to $400.00, though the displayed currency depends on the casino. What we like about Narcos is that the features do not all point in the same direction. Walking Wilds can stretch a winning sequence, Drive-by can change the reels before evaluation, Free Spins give more space for Wild action, and Locked Up works as a separate respin-style bonus. We did not find a confirmed Bonus Buy or Ante Bet in the standard game rules.
Game Features & Mechanics
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Way-Based Pays
Narcos checks wins through 243 ways. You need matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left, rather than symbols landing on fixed line paths.
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Walking Wilds
A winning Wild can stay active and move one reel left with the next spin. It continues only while it keeps helping winning combinations.
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Drive-by Wilds
Drive-by can randomly trigger and turn some high-value symbols into Wilds. It gives the base game a sudden change before the final result appears.
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Locked Up Respins
Locked Up starts when at least three Locked Up symbols land on one row. The feature uses only Locked Up and Golden Locked Up symbols.
Technical Specifications
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Volatility Level
Narcos is a medium-volatility pokie. The 27.00% hit frequency gives the game regular base action, while Walking Wilds, Free Spins and Locked Up carry the stronger wins.
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RTP Explained
Narcos has a 96.23% RTP. That puts it around the common online pokie benchmark, though casino versions should still be checked in-game.
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Bet Range
The listed stake range is $0.20 to $400.00 per spin. Local casinos may display equivalent limits in another supported currency.
Paytable & Symbol Values
Narcos has ten regular paying symbols, split between characters, themed objects and card icons. The top regular symbols are DEA agents Javier Peña and Steve Murphy, both paying 300 for five, 80 for four and 20 for three. Connie Murphy and José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha follow with 250, 60 and 15. The medium symbols are the flamingo and the plane, each paying 120, 30 and 10. The lower card-style symbols are A, K, Q and J. A and K pay 60, 15 and 5, while Q and J pay 40, 10 and 5. Wins pay across 243 ways, so matching symbols need to appear on adjacent reels from the left rather than on fixed lines.
Special Symbols
DEA Badge Wild
The DEA badge is the Wild. It substitutes for all regular symbols except Scatter and Locked Up symbols, and pays 300, 80 or 20 for five, four or three.
Walking Wild
When a Wild forms part of a win, it can stay on the reels and move one position left with the next spin. It continues while winning.
Free Spins Scatter
The car Scatter triggers 10 Free Spins when it lands on reels 1, 3 and 5. During the feature, high-value symbols can turn Wild.
Locked Up Symbol
Locked Up symbols show Pablo Escobar’s mugshot. Three or more on the same row trigger the Locked Up feature and receive 1x to 10x values.
Golden Locked Up
Golden Locked Up can reveal one of three effects: a 2x or 3x multiplier, symbol value upgrades, or a larger starting value for that symbol.
Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
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Graphics
Narcos uses a darker TV-crime look than most NetEnt pokies. The reels lean into police badges, cartel imagery, character portraits, cars and street scenes. It does not look soft or cartoonish, but the symbols are still clean enough to separate quickly.
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Animations
The Drive-by feature is the standout animation because it interrupts the normal spin and changes the result before your eyes. Walking Wilds are simpler but useful, moving left across the reels in a way that makes each follow-up spin easy to understand.
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Sound Design
The sound leans into sirens, street tension and series-style drama. It is not just background filler, but the game does not need audio to explain itself. The important information comes through Wild movement, Scatter landings and Locked Up values.
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Visual Feel & Interactivity
The 5x3 layout keeps Narcos readable, even with several features in play. We like that the darker theme does not hide the mechanics. Wilds, Scatters and Locked Up symbols all look different enough to track without slowing down each spin.
Game Gallery
Narcos on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
Narcos works well on mobile because the reel grid stays compact and the game uses 243 ways instead of a wide Megaways setup. The main thing to watch on smaller screens is feature movement. Walking Wilds shift left after winning spins, Drive-by changes symbols quickly, and Locked Up values can matter in clusters. That is all readable on a phone, but the game feels better when the screen gives those details room. Free Spins are clear because the Wild changes happen directly on the reels. We would use mobile for normal sessions, while tablet and desktop make Locked Up and Walking Wild sequences easier to follow.
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Android
Android handles Narcos well on larger phones. The 5x3 grid stays neat, though Locked Up values are easier to read on wider screens.
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iOS
iOS suits short sessions and Free Spins nicely. Walking Wild movement is easy to follow, especially on newer models with more display space.
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Tablet
Tablet gives the best mobile view for Narcos. Character symbols, Locked Up values and Wild movement all have more room without losing touch control.
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Desktop
Desktop is the cleanest option for longer play. Drive-by changes, Walking Wilds and Locked Up clusters are easier to watch on a larger screen.
Optimal Gameplay Tips
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Use Stable Connection
EssentialNarcos can move from a spin into Walking Wilds, Free Spins or Locked Up. A stable connection helps those feature transitions play without interruption.
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Landscape Mode Recommended
RecommendedLandscape gives the reels more breathing room. It is especially helpful when Walking Wilds move left or Locked Up symbols form clusters.
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Audio Settings
OptionalThe sound adds crime-drama pressure, but it is not needed for decisions. Set it where the effects add atmosphere without pulling focus from the reels.
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Full Screen Mode
RecommendedFull screen helps with symbol values and feature movement. It is useful in Locked Up, where Golden symbols and cluster positions matter.
How Narcos Compare to Similar Pokies?
Narcos
NetEnt
96.2%
High
0.20
Piggy Bank Bills
Pragmatic Play
96.5%
High
0.20
Mega Fire Blaze: Wild Pistolero
Playtech
96.0%
Medium
0.10
Big Bamboo
Push Gaming
96.1%
High
0.10
Dead Men Walking
Nolimit City
96.2%
High
0.10
About NetEnt — The Developer Behind the Game
NetEnt is one of the best-known names in online slots, with a long history of building games that combine clean maths, recognisable themes and polished presentation. The studio has worked across classic slots, branded games, jackpot titles and feature-led video pokies, so Narcos sits in a familiar part of its portfolio.
What stands out with NetEnt is how often the mechanics are easy to understand after a few spins. Narcos follows that approach. The game has several features, but they do not feel tangled. Walking Wilds move left, Drive-by changes symbols into Wilds, Free Spins use Scatter symbols, and Locked Up has its own respin rules. We also like that NetEnt usually treats branded games as more than a logo exercise. In Narcos, the show’s crime-drama style affects the visuals, symbols, feature names and bonus feel. The result is still a slot first, but the theme has enough presence to matter.
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Branded Slot Experience
NetEnt has produced several licensed pokies, and Narcos shows how a known theme can support features rather than just decorate the reels.
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Clear Feature Design
The studio often keeps bonus rules readable. Here, Walking Wilds, Drive-by and Locked Up each have a distinct job.
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Polished Presentation
NetEnt games usually look sharp without hiding the mechanics. Narcos keeps symbols, feature triggers and Wild movement easy to follow.
Final Verdict
Why It’s Worth Playing
- The 243-ways setup keeps wins simple, with no paylines to adjust or line paths to follow
- Walking Wilds give winning Wilds extra life, creating follow-up spins instead of ending every result immediately
- Drive-by adds surprise to the base game by changing selected high-value symbols into Wilds before payouts are checked
- Locked Up gives Narcos a separate respin feature with clusters, values and Golden Locked Up effects
- The 96.23% RTP is fair for this style of branded NetEnt pokie
Things to Consider
- The 1,000x max payout is modest compared with newer pokies
- Free Spins need Scatters on reels 1, 3 and 5, not just anywhere across the screen
- There is no confirmed Bonus Buy or Ante Bet in the standard version we checked
Overall Rating
7.9
Bottom Line
Narcos is worth a look if you want a branded pokie where the features actually suit the theme. NetEnt keeps the 5x3, 243-ways setup easy to read, then adds movement through Walking Wilds, Drive-by Wild changes, Free Spins and the Locked Up respin round. We like that each feature feels different, instead of repeating the same bonus idea with another name. The main limit is the 1,000x max payout, which makes the game less exciting for players chasing huge ceilings. For a crime-drama slot with clear rules and regular feature activity, Narcos still holds up well.
Last Pokie Reviews
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Emergency Help
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide,
seek immediate help or call 000 for emergency services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Narcos?
Narcos has an RTP of 96.23%. That is around the usual benchmark for online pokies, though you should still check the in-game help screen at your casino.
How many ways to win does Narcos have?
Narcos uses 243 ways to win on a 5x3 grid. Matching symbols need to land on consecutive reels from the left to create a payout.
How do Free Spins trigger in Narcos?
Free Spins trigger when three Scatter symbols land on reels 1, 3 and 5 in the main game. The feature starts with 10 Free Spins.
What does the Walking Wild feature do?
A winning Wild can stay on the reels and move one position left on the next spin. It continues while that Wild keeps helping wins.
How does the Locked Up feature work?
Locked Up starts when three or more Locked Up symbols land on the same row. The feature begins with 3 spins and can reset when new connected symbols land.
Can't find the answer to your question?
Contact responsible gaming specialists or casino support. Remember:
it's better to ask questions than to play without understanding.