Trying to pick between two Kraken-themed slot monsters isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when you’ve got two very different beasts to reckon with. Kraken Unleashed from Light & Wonder and Release the Kraken by Pragmatic Play both dive deep into underwater chaos, but they do it in their own style, with gameplay and thrills that suit very different kinds of punters.
For players who aren’t just spinning to kill time, knowing which slot fits your style can save you from getting lost at sea. Are you the type who sticks around for the long haul, tracking down bonus features like a shark on adrenaline? Maybe you’re more about a bit of casual fun with steady payouts, or could it be your eye is locked on that jackpot prize shimmering under the waves?
Kraken Slot Game Face-Off: Quick Breakdown For Aussie Players
Kraken Unleashed flexes a traditional 5-reel, 50-payline setup but ramps up the excitement with a Hold & Spin bonus full of drifting and locking special symbols. Those who like to trail bonus triggers until the big payout might find this game a strong mate. On top of that, Light & Wonder tosses in progressive jackpots, extra expanding reels during features, and multipliers that can seriously fatten wins.
In contrast, Release the Kraken opts for a bit more of a carnival underwater vibe. It’s a 5×4 grid with 20 paylines that can double up to 40 in the bonus rounds. Pragmatic Play’s slot shines through packed wild modifiers, like Colossal and Infectious Wilds that spread and stick, plus a pick-and-collect bonus game before free spins that can crank multipliers sky high. With high volatility and a 96.5% RTP, it’s tailored for thrill-seekers ready for big swings.
Here’s who should eye which slot:
- Casual Spinners: Release the Kraken’s playful look and straightforward wild features make for easygoing sessions without losing excitement.
- Bonus Hunters: Kraken Unleashed calls out to those who like to stalk bonus symbols and chase dynamic Hold & Spin rounds.
- Jackpot Chasers: Kraken Unleashed’s progressive jackpots stack up serious prizes, appealing to those willing to up the ante and ride the variance.
Gameplay Deep Dive: What To Expect On The Reels
Kraken Unleashed Gameplay
This game wraps the action across 5 reels and 50 paylines, with minimum bets starting small and stretching high enough to suit most budgets. The real pull is in its Hold & Spin Kraken feature where 6 or more plank symbols stick and drift, resetting a spin counter and giving players multiple chances to reel in those jackpots. Expanding reels during free spins widen the win paths, and special Maiden multipliers on reel 4 keep things spicy.
Base symbols mix classic card royals with thematic treasures and Kraken-related icons. Volatility settles in at medium-high, meaning Aussie players should expect a balance between steady hits and occasional fat paydays. RTP hovers in the typical Light & Wonder range, making it fair from a long-term play perspective.
Release the Kraken Gameplay
Pragmatic Play delivers a 5×4 reel setup with 20 base paylines that stretch to 40 when the free spins kick in. Bet options suit punters who like to swing from low-stakes fun to high-risk rollers. The real hook? Wild modifiers that can randomly pepper the base game with locked wilds or colossal 3×4 wilds that can massively inflate wins. Infectious Wilds also add a neat twist by spreading across neighbouring spots, pushing volatility high.
Before the free spins, players face a pick-and-collect round, stacking extra spins or prizes—a feature that can turn the tide of a session quickly. Wilds stay sticky through free spins, with multipliers climbing for every wild that lands, turning the reels into a high-stakes playground. The 96.5% RTP is strong, but combined with high volatility, players should be ready for some swings.
Visuals & Audio: Atmosphere That Pulls You Under
The deep-sea vibes couldn’t be more different between these two. Kraken Unleashed serves a moody, mythic undercurrent with dark blue and purple hues, swirling schools of fish, and tense Kraken animations creeping at the edges, perfect if you’re after a serious oceanic mystery feel. The visuals here invite longer sessions that feel immersive, especially with the multi-screen setup on the casino floor fitted with jumbo displays.
Release the Kraken is a bright, almost cartoonish ocean adventure, with vibrant colours and cheeky tentacle animations that pop on every spin. The soundtrack mixes bubbly gurgles with upbeat tunes, matching the gameplay’s energetic tempo. This style appeals to players who want lively visuals that keep energy high without getting too intense—making it an approachable choice for both desktop and mobile spins.
| Feature | Kraken Unleashed (Light & Wonder) | Release the Kraken (Pragmatic Play) |
|---|---|---|
| Reels/Paylines | 5 reels, 50 paylines (expandable) | 5 reels, 4 rows, 20-40 paylines |
| Bonus Mechanic | Hold & Spin with drifting symbols | Wild modifiers; pick-and-collect bonus |
| Volatility | Medium–High | High |
| RTP | Typical L&W range | 96.5% |
| Jackpot | Progressive tiers up to 500,000x bet | Fixed max win approx. 10,000x stake |
| Theme Style | Dark, ominous, immersive deep-sea | Cheerful, cartoon oceanic adventure |
Both games offer distinct rides beneath the waves. Kraken Unleashed will grab those who crave strategic bonus chases and massive jackpot dreams, while Release the Kraken keeps the adrenaline pumping with wild chaos and colour. The call is yours—whether you want to stalk the deep shadows or surf the bright reef. Either way, there’s some serious kraken action waiting in the depths.
Bonus Features Breakdown: Hold & Spin vs Wild Modifiers
Ever wondered what makes a Kraken-themed slot tick? Let’s get straight to it: Kraken Unleashed relies heavily on a classic Hold & Spin mechanic, while Release the Kraken opts for wild modifiers to shake things up.
Kraken Unleashed hooks players with its Hold & Spin feature triggered by landing 6 or more Kraken bonus symbols. These symbols lock in place and award credit prizes, resetting the spin timer each time a new Kraken lands. This design means you can end up chasing the feature across multiple spins, as these symbols “drift” vertically down the reels—like they’re teasing you with just how close you are to landing a big hit. That gradual build-up hits a sweet spot for players who love suspense, making each bonus round feel like a mini high-stakes battle. The trigger isn’t lightning-quick, but when it fires, it can award jackpots or big multipliers, especially if you fill all 12 reels and get a spin on the Kraken Wheel.
On the flip side, Release the Kraken leans on wild modifiers as its primary bonus spice. Think wilds that lock in place and trigger respins, colossal-sized wilds taking up big chunks of the reels, and infectious wilds that spread like wildfire across neighbouring positions. These random wild features pop up frequently enough to keep the pulse racing but with enough unpredictability to keep things fresh. The free spins here crank the action up by using an expanded 40-line grid where every wild landed sticks around and stacks increasing multipliers.
Which style fits you? If you’re a casual grinder who enjoys steady, strategic gameplay, Kraken Unleashed’s Hold & Spin is like slow-cooking your wins—methodical with moments of genuine tension. Thrill-seekers, on the other hand, will get a kick out of Release the Kraken’s wild modifiers and multipliers firing off randomly and ramping up winning potential in an instant. Strategy buffs who love tracking symbol positions and timing their bets might find Kraken Unleashed’s feature-tease perfect for hunting advantage plays.
For Aussie players keen to squeeze the most out of these bonuses:
- In Kraken Unleashed: Keep an eye on those drifting Krypton bonus symbols during base spins. If you spot clusters building, slow down your bet size and prepare to capitalise when the Hold & Spin triggers.
- In Release the Kraken: Don’t ignore the pick-and-collect screen before free spins. It’s your shot at scoring extra spins or features that tip the scales. Patience pays—sometimes sitting out a hot streak might save your bankroll for the next wild modifier hit.
- General tip: Balancing your spins to ride the momentum of these bonuses rather than chasing after every single one can keep you in the game longer and avoid frustrating busts.
Both games offer tasty bonus rounds with their own flavours—whether you like a slow-burn chase or wild card explosions, there’s something in these deep-sea adventures for every player style.
Volatility & Risk: Finding Your Playstyle Match
Volatility’s the word that gets tossed around a lot, but at its core, it’s about how often a slot pays and how big those wins tend to be. Lower volatility means more frequent, smaller wins; high volatility brings rare but potentially massive payouts. The Kraken-themed slots here hit different notes.
Kraken Unleashed sits in that medium-to-high volatility range. Its Hold & Spin feature can take a while to kick off but often delivers solid credit wins and jackpot shots once it does. This makes it suitable for players who enjoy longer sessions and don’t mind the ride being a bit bumpy before the payoff. It’s about managing patience and spotting when the bonus buildup is ripe. Players chasing big payouts need to size their bankroll accordingly, as those slow drips can drain chips if you’re not careful.
Release the Kraken wears its high-volatility badge loud and proud. Expect those colossal wilds, infectious spreads, and sticky free spins to either crank up your wins to thrilling highs or leave you waiting for the next big break. If you love adrenaline-fuelled sessions chasing jackpots or multiplier stacks, this is your go-to. But the swings are intense, demanding sharper bankroll discipline and nerve.
Practical advice for bankroll management, especially for Aussie players:
- Kraken Unleashed: Spread your bets over a longer timeline, sticking to smaller wagers. Patience combined with smart session limits gives you more shots at the Hold & Spin without burning through your stash.
- Release the Kraken: Prepare for spikes and dips. Keep a chunk of your bankroll ready to double down during wild modifier runs but set firm stop-loss rules to avoid punching above your weight.
- Across both: Never put down money you aren’t cool losing, and use session timers or deposit limits. The Kraken’s depths can swallow you fast if you get caught chasing hot hands recklessly.
Matching your slot choice to your personal approach makes these games a hell of a lot more fun and way less stressful.
Jackpot & Payout Structure: How Big Can You Go?
Jackpot talk always gets hearts racing, but it pays to keep expectations grounded. Kraken Unleashed offers a two-level near-area progressive jackpot plus two static jackpots, with the grand jackpot resetting at an eye-watering 500,000x your denomination. That’s enormous but triggering these requires patience and some serious luck—most wins land in the regular feature multipliers and credit prizes.
Release the Kraken doesn’t have a progressive jackpot but makes up for it with a max win capped at 10,000x your stake. Its jackpot power comes from multipliers stacking during the free spins and wild modifiers, delivering explosive payout moments but without the long wait of a progressive build.
For Aussie slot fans chasing the big hit, this means:
- Expect more frequent mid-large wins than jackpot strikes.
- Avoid chasing progressives with rent money or pressure—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
- Enjoy the journey and features, watching for moments when multipliers and wilds stack to boost your haul.
Jackpots are thrilling, but keeping it responsible keeps the fun alive.
