NetEnt's Fruit Shop Slot Series
Fruit Shop (Original): Released in 2011 – This is the foundation of the series, featuring a basic 5-reel layout with fixed paylines and Free Spins with increasing multipliers.
Fruit Shop Christmas Edition: Released in December 2015 – This festive take on the original adds a wintery charm with snowy visuals and a cheerful soundtrack. The Free Spins feature awards a variable number of spins based on the triggering fruit combination.
- Reels and Paylines: 5 reels, 3 rows, and 15 fixed paylines
- Betting Range: 0.15 to 150 coins per spin
- RTP: 96.71%
- Volatility: Low to Medium
Fruit Shop Megaways™: Released in 2020 – This slot injects a modern twist with the Megaways™ mechanic, offering a changing number of symbols per reel and a massive number of potential winning combinations. Free Spins with increasing multipliers are still a core feature.
- Layout: 6 reels with up to 117,649 ways to win due to the MegaWays™ mechanic.
- Wilds: Appear on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, substituting for all symbols.
- Free Spins: Activated by MegaWays™ wins on medium win symbols. Free spins come with an increasing multiplier that starts at x1 and can go up to x10. Additional free spins can be earned during the bonus round
Fruit Shop Frenzy™: Released in August 2023 – This latest addition retains the classic layout but introduces the exciting “Helper” symbol during Free Spins. This symbol offers random modifiers, including the chance to enter Frenzy Mode with even higher multipliers and additional Wilds for potentially explosive wins.
- Layout: 5 reels, 3 rows, 15 paylines.
- Wilds: Appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, substituting for all symbols.
- Free Spins: Triggered by matching fruit symbols. Each win during free spins awards 2 additional spins and multipliers up to 5x. The game also features a Helper symbol that can enhance multipliers or trigger Frenzy Mode, further boosting free spins and multipliers
Core Mechanics and Bonus Features:
- Classic Slot Mechanics: All games in the series utilize a familiar 5-reel layout with a fixed number of paylines (except Fruit Shop Megaways™ with its dynamic reels).
- Focus on Free Spins: Free Spins with increasing multipliers are a staple feature throughout the series.
- Wild Symbols: Wild symbols substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations.
Variations in Bonus Features and Symbols:
While Free Spins remain central, each slot offers unique elements:
- Original Fruit Shop & Fruit Shop Christmas Edition: These slots lack Scatter symbols and rely solely on Free Spins triggered by winning combinations of fruit symbols.
- Fruit Shop Megaways™: Utilizes Scatter symbols to trigger Free Spins with a chance to win up to 117,649 ways.
- Fruit Shop Frenzy™: Introduces the “Helper” symbol during Free Spins, adding random modifiers and the high-rewarding Frenzy Mode.
Common Symbols:
- Classic Fruits (cherries, plums, lemons, oranges, watermelons)
- Playing Card Symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10) – Though some variations might exclude these.
Unique Features and Popularity:
- The series' popularity stems from its nostalgic charm, simple gameplay, and focus on frequent wins.
- Each slot offers a slightly different twist on the classic formula, keeping the experience fresh for players.
- The introduction of the Megaways™ mechanic in Fruit Shop Megaways™ and the innovative “Helper” symbol with Frenzy Mode in Fruit Shop Frenzy™ demonstrate NetEnt's ability to modernize the classic theme while retaining its core appeal.
The Fruit Shop series by NetEnt is a delightful blend of classic fruit machine aesthetics and contemporary slot mechanics. With engaging features like Wilds, free spins, and multipliers, each game in the series offers a unique and enjoyable gaming experience. Whether you prefer the straightforward charm of the original Fruit Shop or the dynamic excitement of Fruit Shop MegaWays™ and Fruit Shop Frenzy, there's something for every slot enthusiast in this series.
