Big Bass Christmas Bash Slot Review & Demo Play

Game Overview

Mechanically, this game keeps it simple. You’ve got a 5x3 grid and 10 paylines with no confusing clusters or wild reels, just straight-up slot action. That’s either a plus or a minus, depending on your taste. For me, it means I can focus on the features (and cursing my luck) instead of memorizing some new system.

• Game Type: 5-reel slot, Christmas fishing theme
• Developer: Reel Kingdom (with Pragmatic Play)
• Release Date: October 1, 2023
• RTP: 96.71% (always check at your casino!)
• Volatility: High-brutal downswings, but those rare big hits are wild
• Max Win: 1,875,000 coins (5,000x your bet)
• Betting Range: £0.10 to £375 per spin

Big Bass Christmas Bash Theme and Design

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a Christmas slot in December. Here, the typical fishing pond is now a snowy wonderland, and the festive soundtrack is just subtle enough that it doesn’t drive me crazy after 100 spins. The graphics are sharp, and I didn’t notice any lag on my phone or my desktop, which is always a relief. If you’ve played any Big Bass slots before, you’ll recognize the symbols, but now the fish have Santa hats and the tackle box looks like it’s full of Christmas cookies.

One thing I actually appreciate is that the holiday theme doesn’t drown out the original vibe. So if you’re not a huge Christmas fan, it won’t make you roll your eyes. But if you are looking for something totally new, you might be disappointed. It’s basically a reskin, and Pragmatic Play isn’t pretending otherwise.

Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay here is pure Big Bass. You’re chasing scatters to unlock the money collection feature, and hoping the fisherman shows up when you need him most. Here’s the gist, from my own sessions:

• Wilds fill in for anything except scatters - nothing fancy, but it helps on dry spells
• Fish symbols carry cash, and you want the fisherman wild to show up and collect them
• Three or more scatters trigger the bonus round (the real fun starts here)
• The Ante Bet option boosts your scatter odds for a 25% bigger stake

I always get tempted by the Ante Bet, but let’s be honest: it raises your chances, but it also eats into your bankroll. I’ve run sessions both ways, and unless I’m desperate for the bonus round, I usually skip the extra cost. If you have the patience (and enough balance), standard play tends to stretch your session further, at least in my experience.

Bonus Features

The bonus round is where this slot can really go off. If you’re lucky enough to hit it (sometimes I get it in 30 spins, sometimes it takes 200 - variance is no joke), you’ll get one or more modifiers tossed in:

• More Fish – extra cash symbols on the reels
• More Fishermen – more wilds (and more chances to collect)
• More Equipment – dynamite, hooks, bazookas pop in for random wins
• Extra Spins – as it sounds, and trust me, you’ll want them
• Level Jump – you start further along the bonus progression

The equipment features are the real wildcards. Sometimes dynamite blows up and spawns fish everywhere (love it), other times the hook just yanks a single fish onto the screen (meh). The bazooka can be a game changer, but honestly, it doesn’t show up as often as I’d like. I’ve had bonus rounds where these features barely appeared, and others where they carried my session. Luck of the draw, I guess.

🌲 Tap here to check out the current Christmas promotions.

Big Bass Christmas Bash Special Features

There are a few modern touches that make life easier. If you like to set and forget, there’s AutoPlay for up to 1000 spins, with plenty of stop options so you don’t burn through your budget by accident. Quick Spin speeds things up, which I use almost every session (I’m impatient). There’s also a Bonus Buy for 100x your bet, but here’s my honest take: the value just isn’t there. In the long run, buying the bonus usually costs you more than waiting for it. Unless you’re sitting on a promo balance or just want to see the bonus right away, I’d skip it.

• AutoPlay (up to 1000 spins, customizable stops)
• Quick Spin (faster reels, less waiting)
• Bonus Buy (100x bet, not the best value)
• Gamble Feature (double or nothing, tread carefully)

I get why the Bonus Buy is tempting, but after testing it a few times, I felt like I was just burning through my balance for mediocre returns. Sometimes it pays off, but more often than not, I wished I’d just played normally. Your call, though, some folks love the rush.

Mobile Experience

I tried Big Bass Christmas Bash on both my iPhone and Android tablet, and honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference from desktop. The game loads fast, the controls are super responsive, and even after a 45-minute session my battery wasn’t totally drained. The buttons never feel cramped, even on smaller screens, and I didn’t miss out on any details—those silly Christmas hats are just as clear on mobile.

If you bounce between playing on mobile devices like I do, you’ll appreciate that there’s no weird resizing or lag. I wish every slot handled mobile this well, honestly.

RTP and Volatility

I’ll get straight to it: the 96.71% RTP is solid, but it’s not always what you get. Some casinos knock it down to 95.67% or even lower, which might not sound like much, but over a long session it definitely adds up. I always look for the RTP info before I deposit, and you should too. No point handicapping yourself before you even start spinning.

As for volatility, this slot is all or nothing. I’ve had sessions where I barely hit a thing, then suddenly land a massive bonus round that makes up for it. If you’re looking for frequent small wins, this isn’t your game. Plan on burning through 100-200 spins before you even sniff the bonus sometimes. But when it hits, it can really hit.

From my logs, the bonus round seems to show up every 100-150 spins on average, but I’ve had dry spells that lasted longer and hot streaks where I triggered it three times in 50 spins. Luck swings hard here.

Comparison with Other Big Bass Games

Let’s be real—this is Big Bass Splash in a Christmas sweater. The math and features are identical, so if you loved Splash, you’ll feel right at home. If you’re hoping for a totally new experience… well, this isn’t it. The holiday theme is fun, but under the hood, nothing’s really changed.

Compared to Bigger Bass Blizzard, Christmas Bash sticks closer to the original formula. The progression system and random modifiers are just as you remember. If you’re interested in exploring more slots with engaging bonus features, you might want to check out Reels Wealth or Dragon Hot Hold Spin for a fresh spin on classic mechanics. That’s not a bad thing if you don’t want surprises, but if you’ve played every Big Bass slot, it might start to feel a bit “seen it all before.” Familiarity can be comforting—or a little dull, depending on your mood.

Big Bass Christmas Bash Final Verdict

Big Bass Christmas Bash is a solid pick if you’re already a fan of the series or just want something festive to spin during the holidays. I like the seasonal flair, and the gameplay is as high-stakes and swingy as ever. The 96.71% RTP and 5,000x max win mean you’re not getting shortchanged, assuming you check the settings at your casino first.

That said, it’s not going to win over anyone who didn’t enjoy the original. If you want steady, small wins, steer clear - this slot is feast or famine. But if you’re in it for the thrill and don’t mind the occasional cold streak, give it a go. Just remember: Christmas or not, the fisherman’s luck is as streaky as ever. I’d play it again, especially with a holiday bonus, but I wouldn’t expect miracles under the tree every session.