Slot Features: Match Features

Match features are popular in the iGaming space. As a result, they form part of many online slots. Whether it be how the symbols on the play grid land to form matched combinations or how the symbols line up to activate other bonus features, match symbols get used in a variety of ways, and we'll be taking an in-depth look at how they work as well as providing different examples of each.

Match Features Mechanics Explained

Match features come in many formats; however, the core mechanic involves matching identical symbols. Whether it's to activate a bonus or win a potential payout, matching symbols to each other is one of the core fundamentals of all slot games, from classic online slots to Slingo games and beyond - the fundamentals of matching symbols together is always present. Game mechanics work by matching symbols or numbers in different layouts like clusters or lines; match features influence slot games in many ways.

For example, the Reactoonz slot operates with an alternate paylines operation, the match cluster mechanic. Landing 5+ adjacent matching symbols in a cluster creates a matched combination. Another way that match features can work is in Show Me The Vault, a slot game that operates with a pay anywhere mechanic; this means if symbols land in adjacent reels, a matched combination is possible as long as enough spaces feature matching symbols.

Variations of Match Features

Match features come in many forms, offering players a variety of ways to use them. While these options can sometimes be confusing, the core mechanic of matching symbols remains central to the gameplay; this feature is fundamental to most online slot games, as matching symbols is a principal part of slot play. Here are some examples of match features:

Match Anywhere = matched combinations are created no matter where the symbols are on the board as long as there are enough symbols on screen during the same spin
Match Cluster = several symbols that touch vertically or horizontally on the play grid form matched combinations, similar to the match anywhere feature. However, the symbols must be connected on the grid, meaning they must be in one of the spaces next to each other
Match Complete = match in a way that completes one or more symbols; this mechanic means that multiple symbols must land together to complete a particular mechanic or feature
Match Symbol = match one or more randomly chosen symbols to have features applied; these might be different symbols which can activate bonuses such as Scatters that usually trigger a slot's Free Spins bonus round
Match Transform = a matching cluster that may transform to another symbol or set of symbols; this could be a bunch of symbols that merge to create a Giga symbol

Match symbols are a huge part of the online slot fundamentals. However, live casino games also showcase similar features, with matching symbols being part of some of the mechanics throughout different live games.

Popular Games Match Features

Countless online slot games use match features, with most using match mechanics for the paylines; other games showcase this mechanic for different reasons, like beginning a bonus or creating a new symbol.

Gates of Olympus

The Greek mythology-themed Gates of Olympus slot also uses the pay anywhere mechanic, the same feature as the match anywhere mechanic. If 8+ symbols land anywhere on the 6x5 play grid, they will be part of a matched combination and award the player with a return; this pay-anywhere mechanic is used instead of the paylines, meaning Gates of Olympus does not function with any standard paylines and uses the match anywhere mechanic instead.

Gigantoonz

In this alien-themed Gigantoonz slot, the developers have featured match clusters and the match complete features. With cluster pays, landing 6+ matching symbols that touch each other awards the player with a return, similar to the match anywhere feature. However, collecting a certain number of symbols in Gigantoonz activates the bonus features, meaning matching more symbols will activate the bonus, therefore using the match complete mechanic; this awards players for matching plenty of symbols together, which is possible throughout the cascading reels.

Other Bonus Features

Here at Lottomart, we have a wide range of slot games that run the gamut of all the match features described above. Additionally, Lottomart has created different guides that cover all of the bonuses available in slot games, so be sure to check these out!

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