5 Star Knockout

Enjoy a 5-Star slot experience with this recent slot game from Northern Lights.

Released in January 2022, around about the same time as the Amazing Link Riches slot, this game uses similar mechanics and visuals that made earlier releases like All Star Knockout famous.

Some exciting bonus features are available here that provide even more entertaining potential despite the simple look of the game. It might look basic, but it’s got some “oomph” under the bonnet! let’s take a look and see if this slot wil prove a knockout amongst players?

5 Star Knockout Design

You wouldn’t be wrong to say that the design features in 5 Star Knockout are basic, but we think that the gameplay looks great and suits the mechanics perfectly.

A reflective blue and gold metallic background sets the scene. This changes during the bonus feature with a pink/purple and gold background.

Across the bottom of the screen are counters that you need to fill to access the Free Spins. This includes five empty star symbols that you will load up by landing combinations across the play grid; these are next to the main game symbol that removed from play during the feature.

Below the spin button, you can alter your stake from 0.20 to 50.00 a spin.

5 Star Knockout Gameplay

The symbols land across a 5-reel and 4-row play grid framed by a golden rectangle, 1 reel lees than Lucky Lions but enough to get your teeth into. There are 20 paylines in action here to land combinations of symbols and score a payout. Similar to the Kings of Crystals slot then, just with half the lines.

Once you have set your bet level, hit the spin button and land different symbols across the grid. All winning payouts are calculated automatically, and the star symbols are marked off the bonus feature counters below the grid.

Unlike the retro fruit symbols used in Northern Light’s earlier releases, card suits are the order of the day here. These are in various colours, with the diamond and spade symbols paying out up to 1x the stake and the Heart and Club up to 1.5x the stake.

The higher value symbols include Sevens of blue, white and red, with returns increasing from a maximum of 2x to 4x the stake. The most significant value main game symbol is the 5 Star logo that can pay out between 1.5 and 5x the stake for combinations of between 3 and 5 symbols.

Other symbols that players will come iacross during play are the Star Scatter symbols, used to fill the meters below the grid. You’ll need these to access the bonus features: each one that lands fills a star position. And at random, the Bonus Star feature can activate. Let’s get into that below….

Bonus Features

The bonus in play here is the Star above Scatter collection feature that ultimately leads to Free Spins.

The different meters below the grid are linked to symbols and when the meter is filled, you’ll receive free spins and the related symbol is removed from play. This provides more chances to make up combos as pay lines are free to land combinations of other symbols.

It is possible to fill more than 1 meter at a time here, which is how you access additional Free Spins. You will get 5 Free Spins for filling a meter with 5-star symbols and an extra 2 Free Spins are available for each additional meter filled.

While the additional 2 Free Spins can lead to combos, the more important feature is the loss of more symbols from the grid. Every meter that is filled will remove their respective symbols during play, leaving you space to land combinations of other symbols.

5 Star Knockout Summary

This is not the most innovative slot, but then again it’s not trying to be.

The bonus Free Spins feature can be rewarding and provides good entertainment, especially as more symbols are removed from play.

If you’re looking for a simple slot that is not too complex, this Northern Lights release should hit the spot for you.

Wombat Score: 3.5/5