Thundering Buffalo is an old-school High 5 Games pokie with a wider shape than it first suggests. The setup uses a 3-4-5-4-3 reel layout, 720 ways to win, Stacked Wilds, Scatter pays, and a retriggerable Free Games round. It is simple on the surface, but not soft.
last updated 16 June 2026
Thundering Buffalo Pokie Review
Nature-Themed
Buffalo-Themed
Animals-Themed
Quick Facts
RTP
94.9%
Volatility
High
Provider
High 5 Games
Min Bet
AU$0.50
Max Bet
AU$600
Max Win
1,904x
Free spins
Bonus game
Wild symbol
Scatter Symbol
Multiplier
Symbol Stacked
Jackpot Game
Slot reels
5
Slot lines
720 ways to win
Release Date
2018
Page contents
- Game Overview
- Game Features & Mechanics
- Technical Specifications
- Paytable & Symbol Values
- Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
- Game Gallery
- Thundering Buffalo on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
- Optimal Gameplay Tips
- How Thundering Buffalo Compare to Similar Pokies?
- About High 5 Games — The Developer Behind the Game
- Final Verdict
- Last Pokie Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Game Overview
Thundering Buffalo is a 5-reel video slot from High 5 Games with a 3-4-5-4-3 reel structure and 720 ways to win. The theme leans into open plains, mountain scenery, drums, buffalo imagery, and Native American-inspired symbols. The listed RTP is 94.90%, which sits below many newer online pokies, and volatility is high. The game’s best regular symbol is the charging Buffalo, paying up to 1,000 credits for five of a kind. Features stay direct: Stacked Wilds on reels 2, 3, and 4, Scatter pays, and a Free Games bonus from Free Games symbols on 5 consecutive reels. We would treat this as a classic ways slot with pressure in the middle reels, not a feature-heavy modern release.
Game Features & Mechanics
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720 Ways
Thundering Buffalo does not use fixed paylines. Wins pay through 720 ways, with matching symbols landing across adjacent reels.
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Mirrored Direction
Winning combinations can count both left to right and right to left. That gives the outer reels more value than in a one-way setup.
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Stacked Middle Wilds
The Wild appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it stacks, it can cover key middle positions and connect premium symbols.
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Retriggered Free Games
The Free Games round starts with 8 spins and can retrigger. The listed cap reaches 240 free games, which is the game’s main long-form feature.
Technical Specifications
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Volatility Level
Thundering Buffalo is listed with high volatility. That matches the 94.90% RTP, top-heavy symbol values, and bonus round that may take time to land.
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RTP Explained
The listed RTP is 94.90%. Some casinos may run different certified versions, so the in-game help screen should be checked before real-money play.
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Bet Range
The usual stake range is listed from $0.50 to $600. Casino versions may show different local limits.
Paytable & Symbol Values
Thundering Buffalo pays from 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols across adjacent reels. The Buffalo is the top symbol, paying 50, 150 and 1,000 credits. The Warbonnet follows with 25, 75 and 400 credits, while the Teepee pays 20, 50 and 300. The card-style symbols sit below them: A pays 15, 30 and 125; K pays 10, 25 and 100; Q pays 5, 15 and 100; J and 10 both pay 5, 15 and 50 credits. Wilds substitute for all regular symbols except Free Spins and Scatter symbols and appear only on reels 2, 3 and 4.
Special Symbols
Wild
The Wild appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. It substitutes for regular paying symbols but does not replace the Scatter or Free Games symbol.
Scatter
The Scatter pays anywhere on the reels. Three Scatters award 2 credits, four pay 10 credits, and five award 50 credits.
Free Spins Symbol
Free Spins symbols appearing anywhere on 5 consecutive reels trigger the bonus round. The feature awards 8 free spins and can retrigger during play.
Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
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Graphics
Thundering Buffalo looks older than newer High 5 Games releases, but the layout still reads cleanly. The reel frame, prairie backdrop, mountain view, and white buffalo give it a classic land-based slot feel rather than a glossy modern app style.
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Animations
The animation work is practical. Wins highlight clearly, Wilds stand out on the centre reels, and the bonus trigger is easy to see because the Free Games symbol has its own visual space.
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Sound Design
The sound uses drums and wind-style atmosphere to support the plains theme. It is not subtle, but it suits the machine and makes bonus hits feel heavier than base spins.
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Visual Feel & Interactivity
This is a low-friction game. There are no feature shops, ladders, or bonus menus to manage. The main interaction is stake choice, spin control, and watching the centre reels.
Game Gallery
Thundering Buffalo on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
Thundering Buffalo works well on mobile because it is not overloaded with side panels or mini-feature buttons. The 3-4-5-4-3 layout takes more vertical room than a standard 5x3 slot, but the symbol set is simple enough to follow on a phone. Wilds are easiest to track because they only appear on the middle reels. The Free Games trigger is also clear, as the bonus symbol has a separate job from the Scatter. Tablet gives the game more breathing space, especially when stacked centre reels land. Desktop is the cleanest option if you want to read paytable values and watch two-way wins without shrinking the reels.
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Android
Android is fine for normal play. Use the wider screen position if the game display feels tight around the middle reel.
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iOS
iOS handles Thundering Buffalo cleanly. The simple feature set helps smaller screens, since there are no bonus-buy buttons to misread.
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Tablet
Tablet is the strongest touch option. The full 3-4-5-4-3 shape is easier to see, especially during stacked Wild spins.
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Desktop
Desktop gives the best paytable and reel visibility. It is the easiest platform for checking Wild placement and two-way win patterns.
Optimal Gameplay Tips
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Use Stable Connection
EssentialA stable connection matters most during Free Games and retriggers. You want the full round to resolve cleanly from start to finish.
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Landscape Mode Recommended
RecommendedLandscape mode gives the unusual reel shape more space. It also makes the middle Wild reels easier to follow during fast spins.
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Audio Settings
OptionalThe soundtrack adds to the theme, but the key information is on the reels. Set the volume where wins and bonus hits remain easy to notice.
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Full Screen Mode
RecommendedFull screen helps because the reel layout is taller in the centre. More space makes Scatters, Wilds, and Free Games symbols easier to separate.
How Thundering Buffalo Compare to Similar Pokies?
Thundering Buffalo
High 5 Games
94.9%
High
0.50
Hypernova Infinity Reels Dream Drop
Reel Play
94.0%
High
0.20
Golden Penny x1000
Playson
95.7%
High
0.20
Golden Winner Grand Chance
Inspired Entertainment
94.5%
High
0.10
Triple Red Hot 777
IGT
94.9%
High
0.05
About High 5 Games — The Developer Behind the Game
High 5 Games is a long-running casino software provider with roots going back to 1995. The studio built its name across land-based casino machines before expanding into online, mobile, and social casino gaming. That background still shows in many of its releases: clear reel layouts, readable symbols, direct bonus rules, and themes that do not need a long explanation before the first spin.
The provider’s catalogue is broad, covering classic fruit-style games, animal themes, fantasy titles, branded-style concepts, and more modern video slots with stronger feature layers. High 5 Games is not only about one type of pokie. Its strength is range. Some games feel close to traditional casino floor machines, while others lean further into digital presentation, bonus events, and mobile-first pacing.
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Casino Heritage
High 5 Games has deep land-based roots, which often show through clean reel frames, simple feature logic, and strong symbol readability.
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Broad Catalogue
The studio has built hundreds of games across retail, online, mobile, and social casino markets, giving its portfolio a wide design range.
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Clear Mechanics
Many High 5 Games pokies keep the core rules easy to follow, with features that support the theme rather than hiding the maths.
Final Verdict
Why It’s Worth Playing
- The 3-4-5-4-3 reel shape gives Thundering Buffalo more character, especially with its wider centre reel
- 720 ways can pay in both directions, so strong symbols can still connect when they start from the right side of the layout
- Stacked Wilds on reels 2, 3, and 4 can create strong winning connections across the centre reels
- The Free Games round can retrigger, with up to 240 free games available in a single bonus sequence
- The paytable is easy to understand, with the Buffalo clearly sitting at the top as the best regular paying symbol
Things to Consider
- The 94.90% RTP is lower than many newer online pokies, so it is worth checking the help screen before real-money play
- There is no Bonus Buy, ante bet, jackpot round, or modern paid upgrade tool, so every bonus must land naturally
- High volatility means the bonus can take patience, especially because there are no extra trigger options to speed up feature access
Overall Rating
7.6
Bottom Line
Thundering Buffalo is not a polite new-release pokie with five side features and a buy menu. It is an older High 5 Games slot built around 720 ways, a 3-4-5-4-3 layout, Stacked Wilds, Scatter pays, and Free Games. The best part is the centre-reel pressure: Wilds only need to do real work across reels 2, 3, and 4. The warning is just as clear. The RTP is 94.90%, volatility is high, and there is no Bonus Buy shortcut. We would point it at players who like classic buffalo-style slots and can handle dry spells.
Last Pokie Reviews
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Provider: Novomatic
RTP: 95.7%
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Release Date: 2007
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Thundering Buffalo?
The listed RTP is 94.90%. Casino versions can vary by market or operator, so the safest check is always the in-game information screen.
How many ways does Thundering Buffalo have?
Thundering Buffalo uses 720 ways to win on a 3-4-5-4-3 reel layout. Wins can form from left to right or right to left.
What is the top paying symbol?
The Buffalo is the top regular symbol. It pays 50 credits for three, 150 for four, and 1,000 for five matching symbols.
How do Free Games work?
Five Free Games symbols on consecutive reels award 8 free spins. The round can retrigger and may reach up to 240 free games.
Does Thundering Buffalo have Bonus Buy?
No standard Bonus Buy is listed for Thundering Buffalo. The bonus round is reached through normal spins by landing the required Free Games symbols.
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