Always Up! Slot Review
Introduction
Always Up! by BGaming is a compact and elegant 3×3 slot that blends simplicity with a flair of suspense. Its theme draws heavily on East Asian motifs—firecrackers, lotus blossoms, gold ingots—creating a festive, atmospheric backdrop. What makes Always Up! stand out is its minimalist reel setup combined with a unique firework-style bonus mechanic, allowing even a small grid to generate big excitement.
Game Features and Bonuses
Layout: 3 reels × 3 rows, with 5 fixed paylines.
Special Symbols:
Regular Symbols: Firecracker icons, lotus flowers, coins, golden bowls, red gold bags, etc. Matching three of the same symbol across a payline yields various multipliers of the bet.
Scatter / Bonus Symbol: A “Bonus” scatter symbol triggers the special Bonus Game when three appear.
Free Spins: This game does not offer a traditional free spins feature.
Bonus Rounds / Mini-Games:
Firework Bonus Game: Activated by 3 scatter symbols or via Feature Buy (see below). Players choose one of five rockets. Once selected, that rocket ascends while accumulating a multiplier value (up to a cap). When it explodes, it awards that multiplier to your stake.
Unique Features:
Feature Buy: You may buy direct access to the Bonus Game (e.g., 80× your bet) with a slightly improved effective RTP when using the buy.
Random Bonus Trigger: In rare cases when 1 or 2 scatter symbols appear, the bonus may trigger randomly as an alternate route to the Firework Bonus.
Game Statistics
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Game Type: Video Slot (Classic 3×3 format)
Reels and Paylines: 3 reels × 3 rows, 5 paylines
Max Win Potential: Up to 559× your bet
RTP (Return to Player): 95.07%
Volatility: Medium
Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies
Unique Mechanics: Despite its small format, Always Up! packs tension into its bonus. The Firework Bonus mimics a “crash” style mechanic—players see their rocket ascend and must wait until explosion to claim the multiplier.
In-Game Dynamics:
In the base game, you win by aligning three matching symbols on any of the five paylines.
If three “Bonus” scatters land, the Firework Bonus begins. You pick one of five rockets; it rises, increasing its multiplier until it pops.
Sometimes, even with fewer than three scatters, the bonus might trigger randomly—offering an occasional surprise entry.
Player Strategy:
Because the RTP is somewhat modest and volatility medium, choose your bets carefully and avoid putting too much on high-stakes spins.
The Feature Buy can be tempting, but at 80× cost, it’s expensive—use it only when you have a solid bankroll or when you wish to skip base spins.
Be patient—often regular spins give small returns, while the bonus holds the most upside.
Comparison with Similar Slots
Compared to BGaming’s “Lucky …” or similar classic-style titles, Always Up! is leaner and more focus-driven. It removes free spins and complex mechanics to spotlight the firework bonus.
When compared to many modern 5×3 or cluster slots with cascading or wild multipliers, Always Up! is much simpler—but that simplicity is the draw: it’s easy to understand, quick to play, and the bonus mechanic brings the excitement.
Conclusion
Always Up! is a refreshing return to fundamentals—a small grid, simple payline mechanics, and one standout bonus feature. Its Firework Bonus adds theatrical tension, and though the RTP is modest, the charm lies in the elegance and ease of play. This slot is ideal for players who prefer straightforward mechanics with a dose of surprise, rather than feature-heavy complexity.
Meta Description
Always Up! slot review: a sleek 3×3 BGaming game with a firework bonus, 5 paylines, medium volatility, and up to 559× max win.
