The Rainbow Riches series has delighted players with its Irish charm and exciting slot features for years. Two versions that stand out in the franchise are the classic Rainbow Riches Original and the more modern Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold. Each offers a unique gameplay experience—one steeped in nostalgia and simplicity, the other embracing innovative features. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two popular versions, looking at gameplay, bonus features, RTP, and which type of player each version appeals to.
What Is Rainbow Riches Original?
Rainbow Riches Original is the game that started it all, setting the foundation for one of the most recognizable slot franchises in the industry. Known for its simple yet engaging gameplay, it became a hit both in land-based and online casinos. This version of Rainbow Riches incorporates a 5-reel setup with a focus on bonus features like Road to Richesand Pots of Gold.
Key Features of Rainbow Riches Original:
- Reel Layout: A traditional 5-reel, 3-row slot with 20 fixed paylines.
- Bonus Features:
- Road to Riches: Players spin a wheel to move along a path, collecting multipliers.
- Wishing Well: Pick one of three wells to reveal an instant cash prize.
- Pots of Gold: Pots of gold, silver, or bronze appear, and the one you choose reveals a multiplier applied to your total stake.
Gameplay Experience:
Rainbow Riches Original offers straightforward, classic slot gameplay. Its charm lies in its simplicity, with medium volatility making it accessible to a wide variety of players. The bonus rounds, while easy to understand, provide enough excitement to keep players coming back. The Road to Riches bonus, in particular, is a fan favorite, as it offers the chance for significant multipliers that can lead to big wins.
Pros of Rainbow Riches Original:
- Nostalgic Appeal: As the original game in the franchise, it holds a special place in the hearts of players who have been with Rainbow Riches since the beginning.
- Simple Gameplay: The easy-to-understand mechanics make it accessible to beginners and casual players.
- Popular Bonus Features: The Road to Riches and Pots of Gold bonuses provide classic slot excitement.
Cons of Rainbow Riches Original:
- Limited Features: Compared to newer versions, the original may feel basic to players used to more complex slot games.
- Lower Win Potential: While the bonus features are engaging, the potential for massive wins is lower compared to other versions.
What Is Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold?
Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold is one of the newer additions to the franchise, bringing with it a modern twist on the classic gameplay. The standout feature of this version is the Drops of Gold mechanic, where gold symbols cascade down from above the reels, adding a layer of excitement and increasing the potential for big wins.
Key Features of Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold:
- Reel Layout: A 5-reel slot with a mix of standard and gold symbols that drop into the reels.
- Drops of Gold Feature: This feature allows special gold symbols to cascade from the top of the screen onto the reels, transforming regular symbols into wilds and boosting the chances of winning combinations.
- Bonus Features:
- Free Spins: Triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols, offering a round of free spins with the chance to trigger additional spins.
- Expanding Wilds: During certain bonus rounds, wild symbols can expand to cover entire reels, further increasing the chance of big payouts.
Gameplay Experience:
Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold offers more dynamic gameplay compared to the original version. The Drops of Goldfeature adds a layer of unpredictability, as players never know when cascading wilds will significantly enhance their winning potential. The game has medium volatility, balancing frequent smaller wins with the occasional larger payout, especially during the free spins and gold drop sequences.
Pros of Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold:
- Innovative Features: The Drops of Gold mechanic adds a modern twist to the gameplay, offering more excitement than the classic version.
- Increased Win Potential: The cascading gold symbols and expanding wilds create the potential for bigger payouts, especially during bonus rounds.
- Visual Appeal: The updated graphics and animations make it more visually engaging than earlier versions.
Cons of Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold:
- Complexity: The additional features may feel overwhelming for players used to the simplicity of the original game.
- Higher Volatility: While the game offers bigger win potential, the volatility might be too high for players looking for frequent smaller wins.
RTP and Volatility Comparison
Rainbow Riches Original:
- RTP: 95.00%
- Volatility: Medium
With an RTP of 95%, Rainbow Riches Original provides decent returns over the long term. Its medium volatility makes it suitable for players looking for a balanced experience—neither too risky nor too slow.
Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold:
- RTP: 97.75%
- Volatility: Medium
Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold has a higher RTP of 97.75%, meaning players are more likely to see a better return over time. Its volatility is also medium, but the added features, like Drops of Gold, can create significant win potential, making the game feel more volatile at times.
Bonus Features Comparison
Rainbow Riches Original Bonus Features:
- Road to Riches: Spin a wheel to move along a path of increasing multipliers, up to 500x your stake.
- Wishing Well: Pick one of three wells to reveal instant cash prizes.
- Pots of Gold: Choose from gold, silver, or bronze pots, each representing different multipliers applied to your total bet.
Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold Bonus Features:
- Drops of Gold Feature: Special gold symbols cascade from above the reels, turning standard symbols into wilds and creating massive win opportunities.
- Free Spins: Landing three or more scatters triggers free spins, with the potential to trigger additional spins during the bonus round.
- Expanding Wilds: During bonus rounds, wild symbols can expand to cover entire reels, further increasing winning potential.
The main difference between these two games lies in the complexity and innovation of their bonus features. Rainbow Riches Original offers classic, straightforward bonuses like Road to Riches, while Drops of Gold introduces more dynamic elements, such as cascading gold symbols and expanding wilds, making the game more engaging for players seeking a modern slot experience.
Which Game Is Right for You?
Choose Rainbow Riches Original if:
- You prefer simple, nostalgic gameplay with classic bonus features.
- You’re looking for a medium-volatility slot with balanced win potential.
- You enjoy straightforward slots without too many complex features or mechanics.
Choose Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold if:
- You’re seeking a modern slot with innovative features like cascading symbols and expanding wilds.
- You want a higher RTP and the chance for bigger payouts during bonus rounds.
- You’re comfortable with a more complex gameplay experience that offers more dynamic win opportunities.
Conclusion
Both Rainbow Riches Original and Rainbow Riches Drops of Gold offer unique and enjoyable experiences. Rainbow Riches Original appeals to players who value simplicity, nostalgia, and straightforward gameplay, while Drops of Gold is ideal for those who want more excitement, innovative features, and higher win potential.
Your choice between the two will depend on whether you prefer the classic charm and simplicity of the original or the more dynamic, feature-rich experience of Drops of Gold. Both versions deliver the signature Rainbow Riches excitement, but with different approaches to gameplay and rewards.
