Thunderstruck II: Overview

Loaded with gods, bonuses, and plenty of upside, Thunderstruck II from Microgaming is still regarded as a standout Norse mythology slot and a genuine trailblazer. The original Thunderstruck landed in the mid-noughties and quickly became a favourite with players. When the sequel was unveiled at the London iGaming conference in 2010, it sparked huge excitement—before going on to rank among the most popular slots ever launched. It may not feel ultra-modern to younger audiences, but it has held up impressively well. The cinematic presentation is still evident, making it easy to understand the impact it had at release. The Norse gods looked incredible when Thunderstruck II arrived, and in many respects, few games have portrayed them better since.

Thunderstruck II uses a traditional Microgaming reel setup that was genuinely ahead of its time on release. With 5 reels, 3 rows, and 243 ways to win, players simply need three or more identical symbols to land consecutively from left to right on any row to score a win. That sounds standard today, but back then this many win ways felt like a major leap forward and was a big part of the game’s pull. The visuals also helped, even if at first glance it’s mostly thematic framing around the reels. Once you’re spinning, the animations—and the booming soundtrack—deliver a strong sensory hit that makes the whole experience feel special.

To challenge the heavyweights of Valhalla, stakes range from 30 p/c per spin up to $/€15. Alongside the then-innovative mechanics, the game offers a healthy RTP of 96.65% and a volatility level that, despite what many assume, is actually considered low. Payouts tend to arrive more often but in smaller amounts, though Thunderstruck II can still produce some very impressive wins, as you’ll see.

To land those payouts, you’ll be matching symbols from a set that includes 12 standard icons plus a handful of special ones. The lineup begins with 9-A royals carved in a bold stone style, then moves to a ship, the Bifrost to Valhalla, a Valkyrie, Loki, Odin, and Thor. Payouts run from 1.67 times the stake for five ‘9s’ up to 16.67 times the stake for five Thor symbols. The Logo Wild is extremely useful, substituting for any other paying symbol and doubling the value of any win it helps create. The Logo also pays well on its own, with five of a kind awarding 33.33 times the stake.

Thunderstruck II: Features

With a feature set that feels bigger than Thor’s collection of hammers, there’s plenty to cover. Some bonuses require dedication to unlock, while others can trigger without warning. One that can strike at any time is the Wildstorm feature, which may appear on any base game spin.

Storm clouds and lightning usually aren’t welcome, but here they’re among the best outcomes you can get. When Wildstorm activates, Thor jumps onto the reels and supercharges the action by turning up to 5 reels fully wild. The results can be extremely rewarding, especially since making every reel wild delivers a hefty 8,100 times the stake instantly.

Equally pulse-raising is the Great Hall of Spins feature, which comes in four versions with different prizes and enhancements. It begins with Valkyrie free spins, and each mode is unlocked in order as you continue triggering bonus rounds. The crucial symbols are the Mjolnir scatters—landing 3 or more starts the bonus feature, with the following available:

• Valkyrie is available from the first bonus game trigger and awards 10 free spins where all wins are multiplied by x5. Valkyrie free spins can be retriggered.
• Loki is available from the fifth bonus trigger and comes with 15 free spins and the Wild Magic Feature. Here, when the Wild Magic symbol appears on reel 3, it randomly transforms other symbols into more Wild Magic symbols. During the bonus game 2, 3, 4, or 5 bonus symbols retrigger 1, 2, 3 or 4 free spins respectively.
• Odin is available from the tenth trigger of the bonus and awards 20 free spins with the Wild Raven feature. Two ravens hang out above the reels and occasionally descend to turn symbols into 2x or 3x multipliers. If both ravens land then they can award an x6 multiplier.
• Thor is available from the 15th trigger of the bonus game and brings 25 free spins with the Rolling Reels feature. Rolling Reels remove winning combinations from the grid to let new symbols drop into the gaps for more winning chances on a single free spin. Also, a win multiplier increases after the first win to x2, x3, x4, and x5 with each consecutive Rolling Reel win. This multiplier is reset back to x1 for the next new free spin.

As an extra perk, the Mjolnir scatter symbol also pays on its own: 2, 3, 4, or 5 anywhere on the screen award 1x, 2x, 20x, or 200x the stake – from any position.

Thunderstruck II: Verdict

Even at a glance, it’s easy to understand why Thunderstruck II sits among the most played online slots of all time. It’s not only a major step up from the first game; it’s also one of those releases that expanded expectations of what a slot could deliver. It was a smash from day one and still has loyal fans across both long-time and newer players.

Microgaming truly nailed it with Thunderstruck II, and its popularity comes down to several strengths. For starters, the overall presentation—graphics, animations, sound design, and that cinematic feel—makes a strong impression. Yes, it shows its age slightly in places, but not enough to dull the experience. Thunderstruck II remains an attractive game that still holds its own against many modern releases.

Just as important, though, is how it plays. Microgaming scored again by pushing the 243 ways mechanic, and Thunderstruck II is among the earliest titles to really showcase its value. On top of that, the feature set can be both entertaining and potentially lucrative. The Wildstorm alone keeps the base game exciting, with big potential that can hit out of nowhere.

The way the bonus rounds are unlocked over time also adds longevity, making it worthwhile to keep coming back. Which bonus is the top pick? As usual, it depends on what you enjoy most, since each one brings its own kind of thrill.

Some classic slots are worth revisiting simply to see how they shaped the genre. Thunderstruck II earns that respect, but it’s also still genuinely enjoyable today. There may be countless Norse mythology slots out there, but Thunderstruck II continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the strongest of them.