The 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz is arguably the most viewed film in history, with its source material, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), having been banned on numerous occasions. However, it is unlikely that Emeralds of Oz will achieve the same level of popularity as a slot game or warrant a casino ban. This mediocre Pariplay release is made somewhat noteworthy by its Rising Multiplier feature, which introduces an element of unpredictability to the game. Yet, without a significant multiplier, winning substantial amounts is difficult. The game’s visuals are passable, but they feel as outdated as the film it draws inspiration from. The Wild symbol can substitute for any regular pay symbols to create winning combinations and is the most valuable symbol in the game. The Rising Multiplier increases with the landing of +1 symbols and applies to any win before it resets. If no wins occur, the multiplier continues to increase until a payout happens. The Emeralds of Oz bonus round is triggered by at least five Diamond Scatters. Any Rising Multiplier from the base game is carried over into the bonus round. Diamond scatters come with a cash prize value and are sticky on a cleared grid, resetting the respin tally to three each time a new one lands. Five different jackpot symbols can also be landed: Mini, Minor, Major, Mega, and Grand, each worth 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 times your stake, respectively. Wins are totalled when the feature ends, and the multiplier is then applied. The Free Spins Bonus Round is activated by landing three bonus scatters on reels 2, 3, and 4, awarding seven free spins. The base game’s Rising Multiplier is also carried over here, and it applies to all wins. Landing +1 Spin symbols awards extra spins. The game’s simple, somewhat dated presentation captures the essence of The Wizard of Oz story adequately, but it’s not enough to lift Emeralds of Oz above mediocrity. Despite this, the game does offer other themed alternatives, such as Wizard of Oz: Emerald City, Legacy of Oz, and Sisters of OZ WowPot, each offering different features and potential payouts.
