When it comes to slot game series that have staying power, building upon their founding titles and implementing subtle differences to sustain their appeal, few have enjoyed the track record of the Big Bass franchise.
Since its debut in 2020 with Big Bass Bonanza, the fishing-themed slots have won fans over through their charming visuals and intuitive gameplay.
Developed by Reel Kingdom and published by leading iGaming provider Pragmatic Play, Big Bass Bonanza caused heads to turn. It offered something refreshingly different, stepping away from the traditional fruit machine styles, mythological motifs, and heroic adventures of so many slots in the market.
Through its bright, cartoon-style underwater setting, Big Bass Bonanza carved its own niche, setting the foundations for a series that keeps finding new ways to entertain.
The idea behind the game was to blend the vernacular of recreational fishing with accessible slot mechanics. Rather than relying on complex features or heavily stylized themes, Reel Kingdom focused on creating an experience that would appeal to as many slot players as possible.
The inclusion of symbols such as the Fisherman and various fish, alongside a simple free spins feature, helped establish the game’s core identity.
This thematic consistency, combined with user-friendly design, played a significant role in its early popularity, setting the tone for what would become an ever-expanding series.
Hooked
Big Bass Bonanza took its Wales-based developer from a little-known entity to a huge player in the iGaming sector, securing its rise among the ranks of slot designers. But how did it do it?
Part of the answer lies in happenstance: Reel Kingdom perfectly timed the release of Bonanza when there was a gap in the market for angling-themed games. While the studio’s early releases gained modest attention, it was its cartoon fish that marked a turning point.
Released just months after the studio’s founding in 2020, the game didn’t distinguish itself through particularly complex mechanics or flashy innovation. Rather, Bonanza got its balance of playability and well-executed design choices just right. Its fishing theme was paired with clean animation that established a visual identity and a strong central character.
Indeed, the bearded fisherman has become rather iconic. This straightforward approach helped the game stand out over other slot favorites; many of which, it’s worth noting, leaned on excessive features or well-worn themes.
That said, the success of Bonanza wasn’t solely down to its novelty factor. Instead of reinventing the slot format, Reel Kingdom leaned into familiarity. The original slot title has basic reels, for example, and a single bonus feature, but it boasts enough personality to make these simple experiences memorable.
Reel Kingdom’s background in land-based gaming, including ties to Astra Games and Barcrest, undoubtedly gave the studio a leg up, resulting in a game that felt both intuitive and approachable.
As the series has grown, subsequent titles like Big Bass Splash and Big Bass Megaways have successfully built on the same formula, creating a franchise that players recognize and return to.
In the world of slots, the series has enjoyed the type of the growth witnessed in expanding video game franchises like Fallout and Final Fantasy. Reel Kingdom discovered not just a hit in 2020, but a niche that many other studios had overlooked. Five years on and the studio is still developing games that enjoy immense popularity in 2025.
A Big Catch
Since the release of Bonanza, the series has expanded into a collection of themed slot titles, each introducing new mechanics and visual variations while retaining the core fishing concept. Titles like Bigger Bass Bonanza and Big Bass Bonanza Megaways build on the original format by adjusting the number of paylines or introducing systems like the Megaways mechanic.
Meanwhile, seasonal entries such as Christmas Big Bass Bonanza and Bigger Bass Blizzard – Christmas Catch apply a bit of festive fun.
Other entries in the series have experimented with additional features. Big Bass Splash incorporates more animated sequences and character-driven interactions, while Big Bass – Keeping it Reel revisits the original design with subtle gameplay updates.
More recent titles like Big Bass – Hold & Spinner and Big Bass Amazon Xtreme introduce new modes and locations, such as rainforest environments and symbol-holding features, while remaining anchored in the series’ recognizable motifs and celebration of fishing.
Now five years into its run, the Big Bass franchise includes 20 slots. Many titles top global slot rankings while the franchise remains in a state of evolution, from the original Bonanza, with its 2,100x potential, to newer entries like Hold & Spinner Megaways offering up to 20,000x.
Unsurprisingly, Big Bass games have also become common fixtures on platforms offering the best bonuses in 2025. Many casino sites include Big Bass Splash among its eligible games line-up for players claiming offers such as the €25 free no deposit bonus, owing to the franchise’s perceived appeal.
Fresh Fish
Still expanding upon the series, the Big Bass franchise is never far from its next new concept. Recently, Big Bass Halloween 2 built on the original’s spooky theme while more than doubling its win potential.
Equally, this inventive streak extends beyond seasonal entries, with Big Bass Return To The Races revisiting the horse racing theme introduced earlier in 2024, and Big Bass Bonanza 3 Reeler offering a compact twist on the traditional 5-reel layout.
With each new release, the franchise remains relevant and varied, maintaining its strong presence across casino platforms.
