Sumo Sumo

Japan is a popular location for many online slots. However, few titles focus on the element of sumo wrestling. While some punters will think of picturesque views when Japan is mentioned, this slot is set in the streets of a deserted town, with fast-paced music playing in the background. Sumo Sumo is loaded with features, having a total of 2 bonus modes and various other mechanics to keep players entertained. 

This game was created by ELK Studios, a company that has been operating in the online slots sector for over 20 years. Throughout this time, they have focused on releasing visually appealing slots while offering unique gameplay. Some titles in their portfolio include Miss Wildfire, Book of Toro, and Cygnus 2. 

The least desirable symbols in Sumo Sumo consist of a variety of different fruits in block form. There are cherries, grapes, a lemon, and a watermelon, which can award players with 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, or 2x their stake size, if five form a matching combination. Sumos make up the last two regular symbols, with a blue and red variation offering up to 5x and 10x, respectively.

Sumo Sumo also has three different special symbols, two of which are different scatter variations. There is a Free Spins scatter and a bonus scatter, with each symbol being linked to their own mode. A wild symbol can also be found, shown as a 'W', which can replace any standard symbols to create a matching combination.

The first bonus mechanic in this slot is the 'Walking Sumo Stacks' feature. This can trigger when red or blue symbols land next to each other, which can lead to a stack being created, should a matching combination also form. All of the Sumos of that type will stack, with others joining randomly if they land in a position adjacent to the existing tower. All stacks become wild, and the height of the tower will determine the win multiplier, which will be applied to any matching combinations that include the stack.

Should a matching combination include two or more of these stacks, all of the values will be multiplied, before then being applied to any potential winnings. Furthermore, a respin will occur if a stack is created, with these stacks walking in random directions between each spin. This feature will continue until no matching combinations are formed, or no new Sumos join the stack.

Interestingly, these stacks will brawl if opposing types of sumo land on the same row. The winner will be determined by the height of the stack, with the loser being removed from the board. After the losing sumo is ejected from play, the number of Sumos will be multiplied by the current stack of the winner. For example, if a stack with 10 Sumos defeats a stack of 2 Sumos, the winning stack will grow to 20.

Should three of the hazard scatter symbols appear in play, the Speedboat Bonus will trigger. This is based on the popular respin mechanic; however, a speedboat collection icon is added to the mix. Players start this round with three spins, which will be reset every time a new icon is collected. The speedboat can only see horizontally and vertically, meaning that symbols must appear on the same reel or row in order to be collected. If they don't, they will remain sticky in that position until they're collected, or the spins run out, and the bonus ends.

During this mode, there are four different types of symbols that can appear. First is a swimming sumo, which will contain a fixed multiplier value. Next is a wakeboarding sumo, which will be added to the back of the speedboat if collected. This wakeboarder will get its own value that can increase whenever icons are collected by the speedboat. Only one wakeboarder can trail the speedboat, too.

The last two symbols available during the speedboat bonus are a ramp and a harpoon sumo. The ramp will multiply the value of the speedboat and wakeboarding sumo (if collected) by the value on it. Finally, a harpoon sumo will add value to all of the symbols in play, including the speedboat and wakeboarding sumo. There is also a turbo version, which means this ability will repeat every time a new symbol is collected by the speedboat.

Finally, landing 2 of the main scatter symbols will trigger the free spins bonus in Sumo Sumo. Players will start this round with six free spins. However, an additional six can be awarded if another two scatter icons appear in any position. This mode plays out in a similar way to the base game; however, any stacks of sumo icons will not reset between spins.

As this review suggests, Sumo Sumo is jammed with different bonus features, a few of which revolve around the popular respin mechanic. The theme for this game is also relatively unique, with engaging music and high-quality symbols being present too!