Jungle Jim El Dorado: Overview

Because El Dorado is synonymous with gold, the myth keeps resurfacing in slot games. Maybe it’s the fantasy of hacking through dense jungle in search of an enormous stash of treasure. Whatever the appeal, one of the best-known takes on the South American legend is Jungle Jim El Dorado from Microgaming. It’s hard to ignore the similarities to NetEnt’s blockbuster Gonzo’s Quest, and that comparison is fair, but Jungle Jim: El Dorado still stands up as an excellent slot in its own right.

The adventure begins as we’re introduced to the “liberator of treasure” — Jim — swinging through the jungle canopy. One standout “feature” is how Jim’s hair somehow keeps its perfect shape under that fedora, which he tips off to better admire the grid. Players get 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 paylines to fuel the expedition. The reels are semi-transparent, letting more of the jungle scenery show through, while large, vibrant symbols sit across them. Visually, Jungle Jim is among the stronger El Dorado-themed slots, with a great atmosphere created by the static artwork and smooth, lively animations.

To set off, You’ll need to pick a stake starting at 25 p/c and going up to $/€25 per spin – or higher, depending on the operator’s settings. Wins land when three or more matching symbols connect from left to right, and every win triggers Rolling Reels. With this mechanic, winning symbols blast away and new ones fall into the gaps. That allows additional combinations to form, since Rolling Reels keep going for as long as fresh wins continue to appear.

This mechanic also pairs neatly with the Multiplier Trail. In the base game, the first win pays with an x1 multiplier, but on consecutive Rolls, the Multiplier Trail climbs by +1 through x2, x3, x4, and up to a maximum of x5. As you’ll see, it becomes even more rewarding during free spins.

Microgaming has created a strong set of symbols for players to match up. The first four low pays are hefty, jewel-like stones in different colours, followed by a flute, a snake sculpture, an Aztec statue, and a treasure chest. Payouts run from 2 times the stake for five of the low pay rocks, up to 120 times the stake for a line of five treasure chests.

The wild logo symbol lends a hand by substituting for any of the standard symbols. Key stats from the game’s math model include an above-average RTP of 96.31%, and a medium volatility. In theory, that points to smaller, more regular payouts supported by Rolling Reels and The Multiplier Trail, with the pace stepping up notably once the bonus game kicks in.

Jungle Jim El Dorado: Features

Alongside Rolling Reels, the other main attraction is a Free Spins round, triggered via the scatter symbols. This sought-after icon, designed to resemble an Aztec Calendar, can appear on reels 1, 2, and 3 – when all 3 show up, they award 10 Free Spins and add a 5x payout on top for good measure.

There’s not a dramatic difference between the base game and the bonus round, but the one adjustment matters a lot. The Multiplier Trail is already a strong base-game addition, yet it receives a substantial upgrade in free spins where it can seriously enhance returns. That’s because the default multiplier begins at x3 while subsequent Rolls increase the Trail in steps of +3 to x6, x9, x12 until it tops out at x15.

Jungle Jim El Dorado: Verdict

There’s plenty to enjoy in Microgaming’s Jungle Jim: El Dorado slot. For starters, it looks great and carries a welcoming cartoon style, helped by the rich jungle backdrop and Jim himself, who makes for an entertaining companion at the reels. The overall production feels polished, from the understated wildlife audio to the gem-like symbols and the fluid animations. It may borrow ideas in places, but Jungle Jim: El Dorado is still a superbly crafted slot.

Yes, it can be seen as Microgaming trying to follow in Gonzo’s footsteps, but with gameplay this enjoyable, it’s easy to overlook. Several years separated the launch of Gonzo and Jungle Jim, and that gap allowed for updated graphics and effects. The core play remains highly engaging, and some players even find Jungle Jim: El Dorado more enjoyable thanks to its fresher, more modern feel.

Jungle Jim isn’t a straight clone either, and it has a few notable advantages that can make it the better pick. For one, players have an extra 5 betways to work with. On top of that, the RTP is higher, which is always a plus. Another reason Jungle Jim: El Dorado has remained popular is its potential. It may not be a true giant for record-breaking payouts, but Jungle Jim: El Dorado can still deliver wins of up to 3,680 times your stake. Sure, that might not be the literal city of gold El Dorado promised, but solid returns are still very much on the table.

By the time the journey ends, if you’re going to take inspiration from a famous slot, you might as well do it properly. That’s exactly the approach Microgaming took with Jungle Jim: El Dorado, resulting in a game that continues to entertain through its visuals, strong gameplay, and respectable winning potential.

In 2020, Microgaming partner Stormcraft Studios released a sequel titled Jungle Jim and the Lost Sphinx. Played using 5 reels and up to 50 paylines, it includes many of the original’s mechanics such as the Rolling Reels feature and Multiplier Trail. It can also be far more rewarding, offering payouts of up to 6,250 times your stake.