Lightning Link at a Glance
- Developer
- Aristocrat
- Launched
- 2015
- Type
- Series of land-based pokies (also available as a social casino app)
- Grid
- Typically 5 reels × 3 rows
- Key feature
- Hold & Spin, shared across all titles
- Hold & Spin trigger
- 6 of the game's special symbols
- Jackpots
- Mini, Minor, Major and Grand
- Grand jackpot
- Won by filling all 15 positions in Hold & Spin
- Free games
- Triggered by scatters; details vary by title
- RTP
- Varies by machine, within the minimums set by each state or territory
The Lightning Link Series
Lightning Link is not a single game but a family of titles that share one core feature. The original 2015 line-up included Happy Lantern, High Stakes, Magic Pearl and Sahara Gold. Later titles include Bengal Treasures, Best Bet, Dragon's Riches, Eyes of Fortune, Heart Throb, Moon Race, Tiki Fire and Wild Chuco, and some regions have additional titles.
Each title has its own theme, symbols and free games feature, but the Hold & Spin feature works the same way across the series. Machines are often installed in banks, with players choosing between several titles linked to a shared jackpot.
How Lightning Link Works
Most Lightning Link games use a five-by-three reel layout with paylines, much like many other venue pokies. Players choose the number of lines and the bet per line, and the cost of a spin depends on the machine's denomination. Always check the total bet shown on the screen. Our paylines guide explains how lines and credits work on venue pokies.
The Hold & Spin Feature
Hold & Spin is the heart of every Lightning Link game.
1. The trigger. Land six of the game's special symbols on one spin. Each title uses its own symbol, such as lanterns, pearls or coins.
2. The symbols lock. The triggering symbols stay in place, and the other positions clear.
3. Three respins. You receive three respins, in which only special symbols or blanks can land.
4. The counter resets. Each time a new special symbol lands, it locks in place and the respins reset to three.
5. The feature ends when you run out of respins or fill all 15 positions.
6. Prizes are paid. The values on all locked symbols, including any jackpot prizes, are added together and paid.
See Slot Bonus Features Explained for more on hold-and-spin features.
Lightning Link Jackpots
Symbols in the Hold & Spin feature can carry credit prizes or jackpot prizes. There are four jackpot levels:
| Jackpot | How it typically works |
|---|---|
| Mini | Usually a fixed prize, based on the denomination |
| Minor | Usually a fixed prize, based on the denomination |
| Major | Often a progressive prize on the individual machine |
| Grand | Won by filling all 15 positions; often a progressive jackpot linked across a bank of machines |
Jackpot settings are chosen by the venue and can differ between machines, denominations and regions. Aristocrat describes the Grand jackpot as a linked progressive prize in many titles. See Progressive Jackpots Explained for how linked jackpots grow and how they affect a game's return.
Filling all 15 positions is very rare. Treat the Grand jackpot as a long-shot possibility, not something to aim for.
Free Games
Each title also has a free games feature, usually triggered by landing three scatter symbols. The number of free games and the special features vary by title. Examples include extra wilds, multiplying symbols and the removal of lower-paying symbols, and some titles let you choose between features. In many titles, the Hold & Spin feature can also trigger during free games. See Free Spins Explained.
RTP and Volatility
Lightning Link machines do not usually display an RTP, and the figure can vary depending on how each machine is configured. Every gaming machine in an Australian venue must meet the minimum return set by its state or territory regulator. In New South Wales, for example, GambleAware NSW explains that gaming machines are required to return 85% to 92% of all money bet over their lifetime. See Pokies RTP Explained.
Because a share of the return is set aside for the jackpots, especially the Major and Grand, much of the game's value is concentrated in rare events. Results in a session can vary widely, and long periods without Hold & Spin are normal. See Slot Volatility Explained.
Lightning Link Online and in Apps
Lightning Link is designed for venues. A free-to-play social casino app also exists, where players use virtual coins. Those coins cannot be cashed out, but extra coins can usually be bought with real money. Spending on virtual coins can add up quickly, so treat it with the same caution as gambling. See Demo Slots Explained for the difference between demos and social casino apps.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple, exciting Hold & Spin feature shared across all titles
- Four jackpot levels, with clear prizes for Mini and Minor
- Wide range of themes in the series
- Free games add variety
Cons
- RTP is not usually shown and can vary by machine
- The Grand jackpot requires filling all 15 positions, which is very rare
- A share of the return is reserved for jackpots, so everyday wins are funded from less
- Long gaps between Hold & Spin features are common
Who Might Like Lightning Link?
Lightning Link may appeal to players who enjoy the tension of a hold-and-spin feature and the possibility of a jackpot. It is important to remember that the larger jackpots are rare and that venue pokies are designed to return less than is wagered over time. Every spin is random, and the house edge applies throughout.
Similar Games
Dragon LinkAristocrat's other major Hold & Spin series
Wolf Goldan online game with a similar Money Respin feature and fixed jackpots
Big Bass Bonanzaan online game built around collecting cash valuesBrowse all titles in our Slot Game Reviews.
Playing Responsibly
Lightning Link's jackpot displays and Hold & Spin feature are designed to be exciting, which can make it easy to keep playing. Take only your session budget in cash, set a time limit, and stop when you reach either one. If you want to stop playing at particular venues, ask about venue self-exclusion. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.