Buffalo Slots
Buffalo Diamond slot machine at Rampart Casino in Summerlin. (Al Mancini Las Vegas Review-Journal) A herd of Buffalo will stampede into the Rampart Casino this weekend, and belly up to their own bar. Buffalo Diamond was proudly unveiled at Aristocrat’s expansive booth during the 2018 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. Released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Buffalo in style, Aristocrat went all out to ensure the eyes of those in attendance were firmly focused on their booth for the much-anticipated reveal of Buffalo Diamond.
If ever there was a genuine legend in the slot machine world, it has to be Buffalo. This game has been the most popular slot in Vegas for so many years now, it's incredible. Buffalo eclipses other hugely famous slots like Cleopatra and Wheel of Fortune, in terms of the number of machines in the casinos and the number of people playing them.
The popularity of Buffalo isn't limited to Vegas, it is massive in casinos all over the US as well as in Canada and Australia. The game is also starting to break into Europe, where Aristocrat games have historically never been particularly prevalent.
It is very easy to find Buffalo slots in every casino in Las Vegas and some casinos have huge areas dedicated to just this one game. One of the best places to play this game is Harrah's, where they have a big area in the middle of the slot floor which has mostly Buffalo.
How many versions of Buffalo Slots are there?
One of the most amazing things about Buffalo, is that every single one of the new versions they produce seems to be a massive success. These new games all retain the best aspects of the original, whilst at the same time, adding new and exciting bonuses and features, which improve on the previous versions and keep the gameplay interesting.
After the original, the next version made was the 'deluxe' version. In that game, the basic play was the same as the first one, but you could choose the multipliers of the Buffalo icons in the bonus game. If you pick a higher multiplier (up to 5x), then you get fewer free spins, but if you pick a lower multiplier (up to 3x), then you get more free spins.
After the Deluxe version, the next really big version (there were a few minor updates in the meantime) was the Stampede game. This is the one with the elongated screen, where the Buffaloes run up the screen. This game still feels like it is quite new, although it can look a little dated in some casinos, is the screens have started to fade.
Following the Stampede version, came the Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Grand games (they came out quite closely to each other), with their huge screens, amazing sound and a lot of innovative new features like spinning wheels (Wheel of Fortune type thing) and new bonus games.
Buffalo Gold
Taking a look around the Vegas casinos, whichever type of casino you go to (big or small, Strip, Downtown, or off Strip) the most popular of the 'newer' versions seems to be Buffalo Gold. In some casinos there are literally dozens of them on the slot floor!
Buffalo Gold is particularly attractive because you can win a huge amount on the bonus game, even if you only play 40 cents per spin. It has been known for players to win over $4,000 in the bonus round on Buffalo Gold. To do that, you will need to hit all the 15 golden Buffalos during the free spins and then keep re-triggering the game after that.
Online, the only version available is the classic game, albeit an updated one with nice shiny graphics. The mathematics of the free online version (and the real money one, if you happen to live in a country where it is available) is identical to the original Vegas one.
Buffalo Gold Slots
Buffalo Stampede
Afer the deluxe version was released, the next version to come out was the Buffalo Stampede game. Buffalo Stampede looks very different at first sight, but the game play has kept all the appeal of the original, so it is still great fun. Possibly, it is even better than the original, although it is more expensive to play - 70c per spin minimum!
Buffalo Stampede slots also has lots of new features, which are really exciting. One of these is where the buffalo seems to run straight at you, approaching like it is coming out of the screen, laving the lassoos on the screen.
Another great feature is the one where the buffalos stampede up from the bottom, elongating the screen as they run. As they do this, the number of rows increases, meaning that you can win on a far greater number of pay-lines during the stampede.
Just like Buffalo original, the stampede and deluxe games give you a great chance of re-triggering the free spin bonus when you are playing. This is because you just need two bonus symbols to re-trigger the games, whereas in the main game you need three of them to start the bonus playing.
Buffalo Stampede Slots
Buffalo Grand
Out of all the versions of Buffalo, the Grand edition is possibly the most fun in terms of sheer entertainment value, but probably not in terms of value for money. The game seems to benefit players that bet more, because it has a jackpot that can only be won if you play max bet (unlike the jackpot on the Buffalo Stampede slot, which can be won by any bet)
So, if you play this game on a lower stake, then you will have to put up with a lower payout rate and so you would be likely to lose your cash a bit more quickly, on average. On the other hand, the game has amazing graphics and actually gives players a chance to win really big in normal play and not just the bonus.
The reason you can win big on Buffalo Grand during regular play, even on minimum bet, is because the screen is so huge and has so many paylines. If you line up a whole load of Buffalo on the same screen, you could find yourself getting a huge multiplier.
Buffalo Grand Slots
Less Well-known Versions
At the same time as those three hugely successful games have appeared, there have been some other versions of Buffalo which are also really good, but quite hard to find in the casinos.
For example, there is a game where you can choose the mathematics of the game, in that you can pick the volatility. This version is interesting, because the game actually has different math in different places around the US and in different countries, but with this one you can choose the one you prefer.
There is also a new, but old-fshioned style of game, with 3 reels. This one is very much like the original Wheel of Fortune game in style and appears to be more of a limit game, than a penny slots. Like many 3-reel games, the three-reel Buffalo slots is one you really need to play max bet per line ($3 per spin, or more) to get any type of value from your play.
Buffalo Diamond Slot Machine Las Vegas Slots
There is also a massive version of the original in many casinos. This one is so big it's actually hard to focus on the game when you play. It also features a love-seat for two people, so it's a great one for couples and lovers to enjoy.
In addition, a game called Buffalo Max - this game rewards you for betting more and does not appear to be very popular. Possibly, players have rejected it because it feels like you are being punished, if you just want to play for 40 cents per spin, instead of 400 cents.
Most recently, Aristocrat has launched a 'Diamond' version, which features a 4k screen, to celebrate 10 years of the game. Although the game was launched in 2018, to celebrate the decade since it was released in 2008, most casinos will not see it on their slot floor until 2019.
The Buffalo Diamond game has an unusual 'honeycomb' style format to the reels and is bound to be another big hit. Whether it stands the test of time, like the original and many of the latest versions, remains to be seen. Only time will tell.
Real Money Buffalo Slots
To play Buffalo slots for real money online, you will need to be in a country where Aristocrat games are available in online casinos. This includes the UK and some other European countries, but does not include the US, Canada, or Australia, Unfortunately.
That said, there are quite a few 'copies' or close 'emulations' of the game available (unofficial versions) in several online casinos. To find these games, please visit our real money slots page, where you can find the best casino to play.
Fans of the Aristocrat games in Australia and New Zealand will generally know and love them as Pokies, rather than a 'slot machines'. Pokies are the term used for slots and video poker - see our online pokie casinos page for more details
The same terminology is also used in New Zealand casinos. and you will find the same games in New Zealand as you find in Australia.
Buffalo online pokies is definitely one of the most popular games out there and you will be sure to see this one along with other Aristocrat classics, like Zorro, Big Ben, Wild Panda, More Hearts, More Chili, Wicked Winnings and Where's the Gold.
In Canadian casinos, the Buffalo slot game is as much loved as it is in the USA, including Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. What you will find though, is that the payout table might be much different. For some reason, the payouts on Buffalo vary from place to place. I have no idea why, but I do know that my favorite is the one in Las Vegas.
Similar Games Online, to Play for Real Money
If you would like to play games online that are similar to the Buffalo slot machine - that is, with the same mathematics (the 243 winning lines) and with similar free spin bonus games, then the best game to play would be Jaguar Mist. It is essentially the same game as Buffalo, but with a different theme. Jaguar Mist used to be available online, but it got taken down in 2018, so you have to go to a bricks and mortar (land-based) casino to play now.
Review of the All-New Buffalo Diamond Slots as Showcased at G2E 2018
There was one slot which really had heads turning at the Aristocrat booth at the G2E gaming expo in 2018 – a brand new addition to the Buffalo slots family called Buffalo Diamond.
This combines a lot of familiar features with a new progressive way to up your free spins count.
If you have ever played the Harley Davison slots, then you’ll be familiar with this idea. I have explained it below. Buffalo Diamond is most similar to the Buffalo Grand games, in terms of game-play and features. The reels are a different shape, and the diamonds add an element of strategy.
Here is a quick summary, with the full write-up below:
- Free spins increase separately for each stake level as you collect diamonds on reel 5. These come with win multipliers and are accessed via the wheel bonus.
- Reels are in a diamond configuration. This is a 4-5-6-5-4 shape, giving you lots of opportunities for big Buffalo wins.
- Wheel bonus games award jackpots as well as free games. Note that you need to bet max ($4 per spin) to be in with a shot at the huge ‘Grand’ jackpot.
- In the free spins game, you get wild multipliers on the middle reels. This is the same as the original Buffalo games – though keep in mind you get an overall multiplier too.
- Retrigger free spins with gold coins (again, in common with the other games). Just 2 are needed to get 5 extra spins.
Buffalo Diamond Slots: How the Progressive Free Spins Work
On the display below the reels, you’ll see a list of free spins for each bet level. This is shown on the picture below.
There are 3 coloured diamonds, which appear on reel 5. Each time you get one the number of the matching free spins multiplier goes up by one. This happens whether you win them or not.
An element of strategy is involved.
For example, if you see that the $1.60 bet has a higher number of free spins (they can reach 100+), you might choose that one instead of the $2.50 bet (or the other way around).
As the time between wins of a certain stake level gets longer, the number of free spins can get huge. I can see people playing ‘just one more’ banknote to try and hit these. While people will be patiently waiting in the wings to have a try!
Accessing the Free Spins on Buffalo Diamond: The Jackpot Wheel
Buffalo Diamond has a curved cabinet, which bulges out at the top. This works well with the wheel bonus – giving you the perspective of the outside of a giant wheel.
To trigger this, you need 3+ of the bonus wheel gold coins anywhere in view.
You click to spin - and will be hoping to win a jackpot. The biggest (the Grand) is huge, in the demo game at G2E this was set at more than $500k. Let’s see if the casinos keep this amount. You need to bet max ($4) to be in with a shot at the big one.
On this wheel you will also see the 3 free spins segments, matching the progressive total at your stake. These are brightly coloured with the multiplier and number of spins clear.
I’m assuming that jackpot wins mean you spin again to hit the free spins – though I’ll have to play a live version to be 100% sure on this.
Buffalo Diamond Slot Machine Las Vegas Wedding Chapels
During the Buffalo Diamond Free Spins: Retriggers and Multipliers
Fans of the classic Buffalo slots will know how the free spins work. You can retrigger with 2+ coins (for 5 extra spins and up), extending your games indefinitely.
The sunset wilds still have multipliers which appear after the spin is completed. These will be either x2 or x3. They work together, so 2 of the x3s in a winning combo will boost your win by x6.
With the progressive free spins also having a multiplier to your total win of up to x4, there is plenty of potential for hand-pays here.
Buffalo Diamond Slot Reel Setup
You’ll find a lot of symbols on these reels. With a 4-5-6-5-4 setup, and all-ways wins (where symbols on consecutive reels pay), there is a lot of space for wins.
With the big prize free spins, something has to balance this. It looks like the prizes for the playing card symbols and animals are smaller than on the classic versions. With the help of those wilds, which do not have multipliers in the base game, you’ll probably not feel this too much.
Design / Animations
Not much to add here for fans of the other Buffalo games. Aristocrat have kept things very much familiar – including the sound effects (screeches for wild multipliers, shout of ‘buffalooo’ and bell sounds.
Using an S-shaped cabinet gives the game a quirky look. These are looking like the next fashion in cabinets. Finally, the new wheel looks impressive, with giant, brightly glowing segments.
Buffalo Diamond Slots: Wrap Up / Mark's View
I love the Buffalo slots, with Buffalo Gold my personal pick. I’m hoping that this new Buffalo game will appear on casino floors very soon. The key difference is the progressive free spins. These are separated for different stakes and will go up very high if not won for a while.
It’s going to be extra hard to pass this slot if there are 50+ free spins at your usual stake level – you have been warned!
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