MonkeyPop 2: Slot Overview

It’s been a fair bit of time since the previous entry, but software provider AvatarUX has returned to its signature popping style with the online slot MonkeyPop 2, following on from the first MonkeyPop slot released in 2022. The original felt refreshing, combining a polished set of pop-driven mechanics with striking Asian flavoured visuals to deliver a well-rounded PopWins slot. Clearly, it was considered sequel-worthy, as AvatarUX has brought the monkeys back, tweaked the feature set, and launched MonkeyPop 2—one that, for fans of the first game, arrives with plenty of expectations.

The first game was a real visual standout, with a distinctive look that grabbed attention immediately. MonkeyPop 2 also looks great, although the close-to-identical art direction makes it a little less impactful the second time around. Still, this isn’t a slot that’s harsh on the eyes; the artistic Asian backdrop and expressive monkey symbols combine to make MonkeyPop 2 another attractive release. Both the base game and the bonus phase present appealing Asian-style scenery that returning players and newcomers can easily sink into.

MonkeyPop 2 is played on a 5×3 layout with 243 ways to win, and it pays only left to right from the first reel—there’s no pay-both-ways here, which some players will spot immediately. Volatility is set to high, alongside a standard 96% RTP. Betting ranges from $/€0.10 up to $/€300 per spin. Enable the ante bet and the stake increases by 50%, but you receive double the chance of activating the bonus.

In MonkeyPop 2, the pay symbols include 9-A as the low cards, plus a range of monkey characters for the higher-value icons. A 5 OAK win with low symbols returns 0.5x to 0.6x the bet, while the premium symbols pay 1.25x to 2.5x for 5 matching winners. Wilds substitute for standard paying symbols to help form winning ways.

MonkeyPop 2: Slot Features

MonkeyPop 2’s feature set centres on the essential PopWins mechanics, Monkey’s Blessings, free spins with a bonus collector, and Xpress feature buys.

PopWins

Every winning symbol pops away and is replaced by 2 new symbols, increasing the reel height. The sequence continues for as long as additional wins keep landing. In the base game, reels can grow to 6 positions high, while during free spins they may expand up to 9 positions.

Monkey’s Blessings

In the base game, randomly at the beginning of any spin, the Monkey may expand the gaming grid to its maximum size. When this happens, the Global Multiplier is also switched on for that spin. The Global Multiplier increments by +1 with each subsequent hit on the same spin. In the bonus game, the Monkey can randomly fill the Free Spins Collector and award +1 free spin or drop wilds onto random positions.

Free Spins

Hitting 3 scatters in the base game activates free spins. When the bonus begins, a random selection of starting ways, number of free spins, and starting multiplier is granted. The available free spins is 7, 9, or 12, the multiplier can start on x3, x5, or x10, and the starting grid height can be 4, 5, or 7, which equals 1,024, 3,125, or 16,807 ways. Each reward can be gambled once for a chance to improve it, unless it is already at the maximum. If the gamble fails loses the entire bonus round.

While the bonus is running, any newly landed scatter symbol increases the Bonus Collector by +1. Upon reaching 3, the Collector awards +1 free spin and resets the counter. The Bonus Collector may also randomly be filled via Monkey’s Blessing.

XPress Feature Buys

Two feature buys are available. The first is the Fortune Bonus, priced at 60x, which grants random starting ways, multiplier, and free spins (from the set range above). The second is Bonus Max, costing 500x, which begins with 12 free spins, an x10 multiplier, and max ways.

MonkeyPop 2: Slot Verdict

To start the verdict on a slightly negative note, MonkeyPop 2 didn’t come across as an upgrade over the first MonkeyPop slot. If anything, it felt like a step down from the original. The features are familiar, yet they seem pared back, offering less to dig into or get excited about. What MonkeyPop 2 adds that the original lacks is the ability to gamble the random rewards when free spins are triggered or purchased. This may appeal to players happy to put everything on the line for a shot at improving free spins attributes, but it’s also dangerous, because a failed gamble forfeits the entire bonus round, leaving unlucky players with nothing. The gamble option is optional, and it likely won’t suit every player’s appetite for risk.

Leaving that element aside, the rest of MonkeyPop 2 feels fairly straightforward. It’s not poor by any means, but since much of it was already present in the first game, there are limited reasons to pick this one over its predecessor—unless you’re specifically drawn to the optional gamble. It also won’t be the win potential that sways anyone undecided, as the 10,000x the bet maximum win is only half of what MonkeyPop offered. Cutting the top prize in half for a sequel is an unusual decision, and it doesn’t exactly enhance MonkeyPop 2’s appeal.

Overall, MonkeyPop 2 comes across as a careful rework rather than a confident follow-up, leaving fans of the original to decide whether the gamble feature alone is enough to offset the sideways moves and reductions. There’s little here that clearly marks MonkeyPop 2 as a definite improvement. Unless the idea of risking everything to upgrade individual bonus rewards is what you’re after, most players will likely be better served sticking with the original.