Buffalo Slot Machine Online
Buffalo is one of the most iconic pokies ever created. Developed by Aristocrat, this North American wildlife-themed game pioneered the Xtra Reel Power system and has spawned an entire family of successful sequels loved by players worldwide.
Play Buffalo SlotThe Legend of Buffalo
Released in 2006, Buffalo quickly became one of Aristocrat's flagship games and remains enormously popular nearly two decades later. The game's stunning success stems from its combination of beautiful graphics depicting the American frontier, innovative gameplay mechanics, and the potential for substantial wins through its stacked wilds and free spins feature.
The original Buffalo introduced the Xtra Reel Power format, which replaced traditional paylines with ways-to-win mechanics. This system offers 1024 ways to win, with winning combinations formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels regardless of position.
Game Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat Gaming |
| Release Year | 2006 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Ways to Win | 1024 |
| RTP | 94.85% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 300x per line |
The Buffalo Game Family
The success of the original led to numerous sequels and variations, each adding new features while maintaining the core gameplay that made Buffalo famous.
| Version | Ways to Win | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo (Original) | 1024 | Xtra Reel Power |
| Buffalo Grand | 1024 | Progressive jackpots |
| Buffalo Gold | 1024 | Gold coin collection |
| Buffalo Diamond | 1024 | Diamond multipliers |
| Buffalo Link | 1024 | Hold & Spin mechanic |
How Free Spins Work
The free spins feature is triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. The number of free spins awarded depends on the number of scatters. Three scatters award 8 free spins, four scatters give 15 free spins, and five scatters award a generous 20 free spins.
During free spins, the sunset wild symbol becomes a 2x or 3x multiplier wild. When multiple wilds contribute to a winning combination, their multipliers multiply together, creating the potential for enormous wins up to 27x the base value.
Symbol Values (5 of a Kind)
Volatility and Win Potential
Buffalo is classified as a high volatility pokie, meaning wins can be infrequent but substantial when they hit. The game's win potential primarily comes from the free spins feature, where stacked buffalo symbols combined with multiplier wilds can produce enormous payouts.
The high volatility nature means players should approach Buffalo with an appropriate bankroll. Sessions can include extended dry spells followed by significant wins. This is part of what makes Buffalo so exciting—the anticipation of those big hits keeps players engaged.
Buffalo vs Buffalo Diamond
For players choosing between versions, Buffalo Diamond adds an exciting diamond symbol that can award instant prizes or one of four jackpots. The base game plays similarly to the original, but the added jackpot mechanic provides additional excitement. The RTP remains comparable, making the choice largely one of preference for the extra feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many online casinos offer Buffalo in demo mode, allowing you to experience the game without risking real money. This is an excellent way to understand the mechanics before playing with real funds.
During free spins, with multiple 3x multiplier wilds combining with stacked buffalo symbols across all reels, the theoretical maximum is over 10,000x your bet, though such wins are extremely rare.
Absolutely. Aristocrat has optimised Buffalo and all its variants for mobile play. The game runs smoothly on both iOS and Android devices with no loss of features or quality.
Most Buffalo variants offer RTPs between 94% and 96%. Buffalo Gold tends to have slightly higher RTP in some configurations. However, differences are minimal—choose based on feature preference.