Buffalo Link Slot

Aristocrat has done it again! Buffalo Link is a slot masterpiece combining the iconic Buffalo theme with the ever-popular Hold and Spin feature. Cleverly bringing together two highly successful Aristocrat elements into one game, it was always going to be a winner.

Buffalo has been a constant on casino floors since 2008, believe it or not. Almost 17 years on, the Buffalo series has over 25 different variations and it continues to grow. Meanwhile, the Hold and Spin feature was an Aristocrat innovation, launched all the way back in 2015 via the much-loved Lightning Link game series.

It’s actually surprising that it took so long to bring these two icons together - but I’m sure glad they did! The Buffalo Link slot machine has all the familiar features you’d expect in a Buffalo game - coins, free spins, multipliers, retriggers and progressive jackpots. The Hold and Spin bonus adds an extra layer of excitement, as does the addition of a ‘Must Hit By’ free feature.

As a multi-award-winning slot, Buffalo Link is hugely popular with land-based casino players. An online version, via Aristocrat’s iGaming division Anaxi, is available but only in certain jurisdictions. Free to play Buffalo Link is available in social casinos such as Lightning Link Casino Slots.

Our Buffalo Link slot review will explore all the fun bonus features and gameplay you can expect plus how to trigger the Must Hit By free feature.

The Buffalo slot theming is iconic, whichever variation you play. The imagery of the wild, fierce, horned buffalo set amidst a wilderness is instantly recognisable. And never more so than with the Buffalo Link slot machine. It has all the elements you find in safari slots, down to the very last shade of sunset.

The Buffalo himself takes up almost the full screen on Buffalo Link. Behind him is a stunning backdrop of pink, yellow, brown and orange representing a spectacular sunset or sunrise. I’ve never really figured out which it’s meant to be. All of the progressive jackpots are represented with Buffalo icons too.

The highest paying symbol is the Buffalo head, the cash symbols are all on Buffalo figures and hit a bonus feature and a stampede of Buffalo stomp across the screen. You certainly can’t forget that it’s a Buffalo slot! Other symbols include a cougar, eagle, elk and wolf as well as the usual low paying Royals.  

One thing that Buffalo slots are well-known for is their audio appeal. The cries of an elongated ‘Bufffalllooooo’ echo around casino floors accompanied by a soundtrack straight out of a Spaghetti Western. The Buffalo Link slot machine is beautifully designed and carefully crafted to deliver everything a slot player loves.

Buffalo Link is different to most other Buffalo slots in that it has an expanded 5 x 4 game grid. That means a Hold and Spin feature with 20 spaces to fill instead of 15. As usual though, players can select which denomination and bet level they’d like to play at. Here’s some key stats to keep in mind when playing Buffalo Link.

• 5x4 Game Grid
• 1024 Paylines
• Denominations: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c (up to $2 in high limit versions)
• Bet Levels from $1-$50
• 4 Progressive Jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major and Grand
• 2 Bonus Rounds: Free Games and Hold & Spin Feature
• RTP: 90%-96% 
• Volatility: Medium

The two bonus features in Buffalo Link are the Free Games and the Hold and Spin. An additional Must Hit By free feature can randomly trigger either of the bonus rounds. Let’s take a look at these in more detail.

As with most Buffalo slots, you trigger the Free Games by landing at least three gold coins in a single spin.

• 3 Coins - 8 Free Games
• 4 Coins - 15 Free Games
• 5 Coins - 20 Free Games

It only takes two gold coins to get a retrigger through the Free Games and you can retrigger an unlimited number of times. In fact, it's very likely that you do!

What’s special about the Free Games is that every Wild comes with a multiplier of 2x or 3x and it's possible to get a full screen of multiplying wilds. This, combined with the highest paying Buffalo symbol, can lead to incredible payouts. It’s also possible to trigger the Hold and Spin feature during the Free Games - and we all love a bonus within a bonus!

Unlike other Hold and Spin games, in Buffalo Link you need eight Buffalo cash symbols to trigger the feature. It has to be said that eight symbols does feel like a lot when you’re getting a lot of sixes and sevens though, even with the larger grid to work with.

Once you land the eight Buffalo credit symbols, the Hold and Spin will begin and you’ll be given three spins. Every time you land a Buffalo credits symbol, the counter resets to three spins again. When the spins run out, all of the cash values are added up as wins. 
 
The cash symbols can have values ranging from 1x all the way up to a progressive jackpot. This is where you can win those Mini, Minor and Major amounts. Land all 20 cash symbols and you’ll hit the Grand Jackpot. Never happened to me, of course. Yet.

Just above the reels on the right side of the screen is a Buffalo Link counter. This has a ‘Must Hit By’ range of 1800. Every time a Buffalo head symbol lands on the screen it gets added to the counter. At some point in between 0 - 1800, that feature will randomly pop and you’ll be awarded either the Free Games or the Hold and Spin feature.

Although there is no way of knowing when the free feature will trigger, the closer the counter is to 1800, the more likely it is to pop. Here’s a little tip: the counter is linked to the denomination level of the slot. So you may find that on a 1c denomination the counter is low, but if you try the 2c, 5c, or 10c denomination it may be closer to the 1800.

All slot players have the opportunity to earn perks and rewards while playing land-based slot machines, whether that’s with free drinks, waitress service or by earning player points on a membership card. Be sure to join the loyalty program of your local casino so that every time you spin, you build up points.

It can lead to slot free play, retail, food and entertainment discounts and even free hotel stays. It's definitely worth joining and the Buffalo Link slot machine is a good game to play to help build up points due to its many line-pays between bonuses.

It’s no surprise that Buffalo Link has been a huge success with slots players in every market. The familiar theming combined with the appealing audio/visual and the hugely popular Hold and Spin bonus is a killer mix.

Medium volatility means bonus rounds can come regularly, and it is possible to land big progressive jackpots even on small bets. From a player point of view, it’s a wild ride.