Random Wilds Explained: How They Work and The Top 5 Pokies To Play
Random wilds are one of the most exciting features you’ll find in online pokies. These symbols can show up unexpectedly, adding a burst of unpredictability to every spin. Unlike other wilds that rely on set patterns or triggers, random wilds can appear anywhere, anytime, turning even a losing spin into a winning one.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes random wilds so special, how they work, and the best games where you can experience them. By the end, you’ll know exactly why these wilds keep players coming back for more.
What Are Random Wilds?
Random wilds are all about surprise. These symbols can drop onto the reels at any moment, whether you’re in the base game or a bonus round, instantly creating new chances to win. Unlike other wilds that follow specific triggers or appear only in certain places, random wilds keep you guessing, as they can show up anywhere to complete paylines or unlock big payouts.
When they land, random wilds bring the action to life with flashy animations—think lightning bolts, glittering bursts, or cascading symbols—and exciting sound effects like thunderclaps or celebratory tones. It’s a thrill every time, turning an ordinary spin into something memorable.
What makes random wilds truly special is their flexibility. They can work alongside multipliers, paylines, or other features, amplifying their potential impact. This unpredictability keeps the gameplay exciting, ensuring every spin feels fresh and full of possibility. If you’re after pokies that pack a punch without complicated mechanics, random wilds are always a solid choice.
How Do Random Wilds Work?
Random wilds appear unpredictably on any reel during both base games and bonus rounds, without needing specific triggers. Unlike other wild types, they can drop in clusters or scatter across multiple reels, instantly replacing standard symbols to form or enhance winning paylines. Some games pair them with multipliers or free spins for even greater payout potential.
Triggers
Random wilds are purely chance-driven, with their appearance determined by the game’s algorithm. While they can show up at any time, they are more common in bonus rounds, where they often play a key role in boosting payout potential. In the base game, their sporadic nature keeps gameplay exciting and unpredictable.
Reel Locations
These wilds can land on any reel, but their effectiveness depends on where they appear. In many games, they favour central reels like 2, 3, or 4, where they can interact with the greatest number of paylines. Strategic placement on these high-impact reels significantly increases winning combinations.
Our Top 5 Picks For Pokies with Random Wilds
1. Immortal Romance (Microgaming)
Immortal Romance is a timeless classic, reimagined with the breathtaking Wild Desire feature. Loved by players for its ability to transform up to 5 reels into wilds without warning, this mechanic is a true game-changer.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payout Potential | Maximum win of 12,150x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Medium frequency, generally appearing every 80–120 spins. |
Feature Mechanics:
The Wild Desire feature lives up to its name, dropping fully wild reels onto the screen at random moments during the base game. What makes this feature shine is its potential to convert multiple reels simultaneously, turning near-misses into jaw-dropping payouts. While random, it feels deliberate, especially when wild reels land centrally, maximizing paylines.
Visuals and Sounds:
When Wild Desire activates, the reels glow red with a pulse of energy, accompanied by an eerie, suspenseful melody that heightens anticipation. Each reel that turns wild builds on the thrill, making it feel like a mini event.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
With a top payout of 12,150x your stake, Wild Desire is as rewarding as it is unpredictable. Players report seeing it activate around every 80–120 spins, particularly when playing medium stakes. Its power lies in its ability to stack multiple wild reels for massive combinations.
Why It Stands Out:
Immortal Romance’s Wild Desire feature isn’t just about unpredictability—it’s about scale. Few pokies can match the thrill of seeing 5 wild reels in action.
2. Ankh of Anubis (Play’n GO)
Power of Anubis feature takes random wilds to a divine level, scattering them across the reels to unlock impressive wins. Its unpredictability adds excitement to every spin.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payout Potential | Maximum win of 15,000x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Medium frequency, typically every 50–100 spins. |
Feature Mechanics:
Anubis’ power randomly adds wild symbols to the reels, often clustering them around the middle for greater impact. This feature is especially potent during free spins, where additional random wilds can trigger bonus rounds or extend win chains.
Visuals and Sounds:
When activated, golden light streaks across the reels, and a booming roar signals Anubis’ intervention. The visual drama enhances the sense of reward, as wild symbols rain down onto the grid.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
Players can win up to 15,000x their stake when random wilds align with premium symbols like ankhs and pyramids. Observations suggest this feature activates roughly every 50–100 spins, particularly during extended play sessions.
Why It Stands Out:
The combination of spontaneous wilds and powerful free spin interactions makes Ankh of Anubis a must-play for those chasing epic moments.
3. Viking Clash (Push Gaming)
Push Gaming’s Viking Clash redefines random wilds with its Wild Ship mechanic, which introduces persistent wilds that can remain active for multiple spins.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payout Potential | Maximum win of 13,177x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Medium frequency, appearing every 60–100 spins. |
Feature Mechanics:
Wild ships land randomly on the reels, adding wild symbols that shift leftward with every spin. This movement not only extends their lifespan but also boosts payout potential, particularly when ships cluster around central reels.
Visuals and Sounds:
Expect vibrant Viking ships to storm the reels, accompanied by the clash of swords and booming drums. The dynamic animations make each spin feel like part of a larger Viking saga.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
Wins of up to 13,177x your stake are possible when wild ships align with premium symbols like shields and axes. Wild ships tend to appear every 60–100 spins, but their strategic movement ensures they leave a lasting impact.
Why It Stands Out:
Viking Clash’s persisting wilds turn random activations into extended opportunities, keeping players engaged spin after spin.
4. Reel Desire (Yggdrasil)
Reel Desire’s retro aesthetic pairs perfectly with its Wild Desire feature, transforming entire reels into wilds with random precision.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payout Potential | Maximum win of 20,480x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | High frequency, appearing every 40–80 spins at higher stakes. |
Feature Mechanics:
Wild Desire brings up to 5 fully wild reels to the grid. Its beauty lies in its flexibility—wilds can appear anywhere, but central reel transformations offer the highest potential for massive payouts.
Visuals and Sounds:
Neon lights flicker, and disco beats drop as the wilds take over, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The immersive design ensures players feel transported to a retro dance floor with every activation.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
Wins of up to 20,480x your stake are possible when premium symbols align with wild reels. While frequent (every 40–80 spins), high-stakes gameplay tends to see more consistent activations.
Why It Stands Out:
Reel Desire’s frequent wild activations and massive payout ceiling make it a top choice for high-energy pokie fans.
5. Megaways Jack (Iron Dog Studio)
Iron Dog’s Megaways Jack adds a layer of unpredictability with its Golden Harp feature, scattering random wilds across its extensive reel layout.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payout Potential | Maximum win of 25,000x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | High frequency, appearing every 50–70 spins. |
Feature Mechanics:
The Golden Harp adds up to 4 random wilds across the reels during base gameplay or cascading win sequences. The feature is particularly effective when wilds land on bottom rows, increasing connectivity with adjacent symbols.
Visuals and Sounds:
Golden sparkles and melodic harp notes accompany each activation, creating a whimsical atmosphere that complements the fairytale theme.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
With payouts of up to 25,000x your stake, this feature often triggers during extended cascading wins, roughly every 50–70 spins.
Why It Stands Out:
Megaways Jack’s cascading mechanics and frequent activations make its random wilds one of the most satisfying features in online pokies.
Random Wilds Vs. Other Wilds
There are different types of wild symbols in online pokies games, each with their specific features. Most importantly, not all wilds appear in the base game or are eligible for multipliers and other bonuses.
Some only appear in the main bonus round, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. If you are going to play online pokies, it's always best practice to head over to the game's paytable will clearly outline which types of bonus wild features the game has. We recommend playing a game in Demo mode to understand how each of these wilds works and how often they appear so you can choose which game and wild suits your style.
| Features | Expanding Wilds | Random Wilds | Stacked Wilds | Sticky Wilds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appears at Random | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Found in Base Game | ✓ | 𐄂 | ✓ | 𐄂 |
| Found in Bonus Rounds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stays in Place for Multiple Spins | 𐄂 | 𐄂 | 𐄂 | ✓ |
| Expands to Cover Reel | ✓ | 𐄂 | ✓ | 𐄂 |
| Increases Paylines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Conclusion
It's not just about the thrill of unpredictability that makes random wilds one of the most desired wild symbols available. It's the fact that they can exponentially increase your chances of winning across multiple paylines in a single slap. Seeing one (or even two) of these special creatures of chaos injects excitement into your favourite pokies.
This bonus feature can turn any spin into a game-changing moment, making them highly sought-after by players seeking extra opportunities to hit those jackpot paylines.
Before playing wild symbols slots with real money, you could decide to look for a demo version of the slot you’re interested in. Online slot developers offer demo play, you can play a few spins with no risk, to get a feel for how valuable the random wild symbols are and how often they appear.
Good luck, and happy slapping
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Ryan is our resident pokies expert. Not only does he provide readers with the latest insights, innovations and technology news related to pokies, but he also knows all there is to know about pokies game developers.
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