Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Review

Aside from Ancient Egyptian "Book of" themed slots, Norse-themed slots are equally popular amongst the slots playing community. It could be that there are just so many of them, and the probable reason is that the Norse theme offers the right touch of drama and effect for a thrilling and entertaining slot game.

Microgaming's Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot is precisely this. Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Link&Win Slot is not the first of its kind; it's the third in the Thunderstruck series. This version comes over a decade after Thunderstruck II (2010), which is the second instalment of the original iconic Microgaming Slot Thunderstruck, a slot that initially launched in 2004.

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Introduction

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning was launched in 2020 by Microgaming in collaboration with niche game provider Storm Craft Studios. Our Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Review aims to uncover everything you need to know about this game, the important 'need to know' stats and facts, and what sets it apart from the rest. 

How To Play Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot

Being a slot produced by Microgaming /Storm Craft Studios means you won't have any issue finding a safe and trusted online casino where you can play this game for real money (or for fun if you're logged into a valid account). If after reading this review, you're raring to give it a spin, we recommend a couple of top Microgaming casinos below, where you'll be able to enjoy the game with maximum comfort, value, and enjoyment.

Once you're logged in to your preferred slots site, load the game up and set your preferred betting limits per spin by using the + and - buttons on the screen. You can play Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot from 10p up to £16 per spin, making this slot accessible and affordable to all. At this stage, it's always worth looking at the game rules and the paytable to understand how the game works and what you need to get decent payouts (though we explain this in detail below). You should now be all set and ready to start playing Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Link&Win.

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Features

Being the third in the 'Thunderstruck' series means that the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning online slot needs to bring the goods in terms of fun in-game features. We feel it does already because it boasts the popular Link and Win game feature (more on that in a moment). And besides, Microgaming is hardly going to churn out another slot that is the same as 2 of its predecessors. No, they are far more innovative than that.

The Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot is designed with 5 reels, 4 rows and 40 paylines which are fixed. To create winning combinations, you'll need to land 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols or Wilds from left to right on an active payline, commencing from the first left reel. Design-wise, this game is all about Norse Mythology, so expect to see all kinds of Viking paraphernalia, including Rune Stones, A Mjolnir (Thors' Hammer) and the beasty Thor himself on the reels. The backdrop is plain, thus not removing anything from the incredible graphics you see on the reels.

The game also boasts a fantastic soundtrack consisting of 5 rock tunes. By clicking the playlist button beneath the reels, you can choose to play music from five tracks, ranging from ambient and melodic rock to hard rock. It's not the first time a casino software company has allowed players to select their preferred soundtrack when playing. Netent was one of the first to do so when they launched their series of 'Netent Rocks' slots, enabling players to choose from well-known tracks from Motorhead, Jimi Hendrix and Guns 'N Roses.

The reels are made up of various ranking icons, with the lower value icons being the Runestones. The higher-ranking icons are depicted as the blazing "World" stones/orbs. The highest value symbol here pays 1.5, 5 or x25 your total stake if you land 3, 4 or 5 in combination. When it comes to in-game features, this slot has an impressive list of components that you'll encounter, making this slot incredibly entertaining and eventful:

Thor Wilds

Thor himself is the game's Wild symbol and can appear anywhere on the reels. If you land a Thor Wild in a base game, wins will be paid out with a 2x or 5x multiplier. The Thor multiplier Wild can also land fully stacked, and it's the highest-paying symbol in the game by a mile. Land 5 across a payline, and you'll win x200 your stake.

Link&Win Feature

Many of Microgaming's newer slots like Hyper Gold and Arctic Enchantress include a fantastic feature called Link&Win - and so does this slot. To trigger the Link & Win feature, you'll need to land 6 or more Thunderball symbols on the reels. You will then start with three spins and land symbols with cash values. Every time you land a new symbol, the counter will reset to 3. If you land 15, 20, 25 or 30 symbols, you'll get more rows, which will allow more symbols to land and thus increase your overall winning potential. Each Thunderball comes with a cash value connected to it as well. When you've used up all your respins, the total value of the Thunderball symbols will be combined to award you with an overall prize, and the feature will end.

Thunderball Jackpots Feature

As well as standard Thunderball symbols mentioned above, you may also see turquoise, yellow and green Thunderball symbols appear on the reels during the Link&Win feature. These symbols will award the Mini, Minor and Major Jackpots, respectively. To win the Mega Jackpot, you must fill all reels with the Thunderball symbols. This is called the Thunderball Jackpots feature; and here's what each Jackpot is worth:

Free Spins & Scatters

The Moljnir (Thors Hammer) symbol acts as the Scatter in the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot. Land 3, 4 or 5  Scatter symbols on the same spin, and you'll swipe a payout of x3, x20 or x200 of your total stake. You'll trigger the free spins bonus feature when you land three or more of them. At first, you only have access to the first free spin bonus rounds, but every 5 times you enter the free spins bonus feature, you'll unlock a new feature, where eventually, you'll also unlock the higher free spins selection:

Jotunheim Free Spins: This feature is available on the first free spins trigger. You'll begin with 15 free spins in this feature. A win involving a Wild will see a x2, x3 or x5 multiplier applied. There's a max win of 2,000 x your total stake per free spin here. You can retrigger the feature for up to 30 free spins.

Vanaheim Free Spins: Here, you begin with 12 free spins. Wild wins will be subject to an x2, x4 or x6 multiplier. This free spins feature offers max payouts of x2,125 your total stake per free spin, which is whopping! What's more, you can retrigger up to 24 free spins in total. You can choose this feature once you trigger the free spins a total of 5 times or more.

Alfheim Free Spins: In this feature, you'll be awarded 9 free spins, where a retrigger is available for 18 free spins in total. A Wild win will see an x3, x5 or x8 multiplier applied. There are max wins of x3,250 your stake per free spin, and it is only available for you to select once you trigger the free spins feature 10 times or more.

Nidavellir Free Spins: With 6 free spins awarded, you can retrigger for 12 free spins in total. It comes with x5, x8 or x12 Wild multipliers. Each free spin can pay x3,500  your total stake. It's a lucrative feature but only available once you enter the free spins feature 15 times or more.

Svartalfheim Free Spins: Here, one free spin has a guaranteed trigger of the Wildstorm feature, which can turn up to 5 reels wild. This single free spin can pay up to x8,000 your total stake. You can trigger the Wildstorm feature in any free spins features above by collecting 20 Scatter pairs in the base game. You can track your progress below the reels. 

Wild Lightning Feature

When you land a Wild symbol on one of the middle three reels during the free spins feature (aside from the Svartalfheim free spins), you will unleash the Wild Lightning feature. The symbol position that the Wild lands on will be activated. What's more, if you manage to land Thor on this position later into the feature, it'll turn into an expanding Wild and fill the whole reel, where it can give you up to 3 Wild reels.

Maximum Win Potential & Jackpot

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot may be the new generation Thunderstruck game. Not only does it look great, it also pays out great - or at least better than its predecessors. The difference between the older versions is the Thunderball Jackpots which can reach x 15,000 your stake. To win the Mega Jackpot, you need to fill all reels with Thunderball symbols.

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot RTP % & Variance

How does Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot chalk up against other popular modern slots in the RTP and Variance statistics? The RTP of Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot is 96.1%, which is just, and we mean just above the 96% average of most UKGC-approved online slots. When it comes to the Variance, it's labelled as a high volatility slot, probably due to the epic theme, so make sure you keep that in mind.

If you're unsure about this terminology, game variance describes how a slot game acts and behaves. With high variance slots, wins are less frequent but pay more when they land. Low variance slots work the opposite, where you're likely to see smaller but more frequent wins. This is important to note because it can affect your bankroll and budget. 

⚠️ Naturally, if you're playing with a smaller budget, high variance slots like Thunderstruck Wild Lightning can eat your cash balance far quicker before you see any wins of significance, so make sure you whir some caution here. The hit frequency rate is 22.92% which means you can win in just over a fifth of spins (on average).

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Mobile Slot

Terrific is the word we'd use to describe Thunderstruck Wild Lightning mobile slot, but with such big software powerhouses behind this game, are we surprised? The Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot looks great and plays out great on all mobile devices, including phones, tablets, smartwatches and game consoles. The design of this mobile slot works like a charm on the small screen and with highly responsive touch screen functionality. Given that Microgaming is one of the oldest slot producers, they have had decades to hone their crafts for seamless mobile gameplay. This slot should be a contender if you're looking to play an epic mobile slot.

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Review - Our Verdict

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning  Slot is an action-packed, dramatic slot game that hosts a whole heap of features that keeps the entertainment playing out. Is it a worthy follow-up to the iconic Thunderstruck I and II? Yes, but only just. This version is ultra-modern and takes the Thunderstruck series into this day and age; after all, online slots have come on in leaps and bounds since the original versions were launched over 10 years ago. Look out for the Thunderball Jackpots that payout x15,000 and the four fixed jackpots for significant wins.

There's also the popular Link & Win feature and plenty of free spins games (5 in total), each offering something slightly different and higher in value the farther you go into the saga. If you love Norse-themed slots, you'll love what Microgaming/Stormcraft have done with this game - successfully bringing the franchise into today's modern slots world.

Where To Play Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot - Recommended UK Casinos 2023

Thunderstruck Wild Lightning Slot Alternatives

See below for other epic and dramatic slot titles that serve as a great alternative to the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot game. If you want to know more about any of the alternative slots we recommend, just hit the 'Review' button to read the full low down on the game. Alternatively, hit the 'Play' icon to access the slot at a trusted UKGC licensed casino that we have reviewed and highly recommend.