Sugar Merge Up Slot Real Money Review – Bonuses, RTP and How to Play

Introduction to Sugar Merge Up

Sugar Merge Up is a casino slot game developed by BGaming, serving as an expansion of the studio’s Merge Up series. This series also includes Merge Up and Merge Up 2, which offer an innovative approach to the popular cluster pays mechanic where winning clusters merge into higher-value symbols. The new Sugar Merge Up provides an enhanced experience from Merge Up 2, featuring similar gameplay while introducing expanded Feature Buy options and a visually upgraded design. Although it offers a solid alternative for fans of the series, it does not present any groundbreaking features. Let’s begin merging by trying out the demo of Sugar Merge Up available at the top of the page.

Sugar Merge Up features a video slot design with 6 reels and 6 rows. Using the cluster pays mechanic, this game does not have traditional pay lines. Wins occur by landing 4 or more of the same symbol type in a cluster anywhere on the reels, which activates the Merge Up feature. Players can select a minimum bet of 0.2 and a maximum bet of 50. The game has a default RTP of 97%, which is above the industry average. It operates with high volatility, a hit frequency of 29.41%, and offers potential wins up to 10,000X the bet. On average, it takes 409 spins to trigger the Bonus Game.

The game features a vibrant candy theme set in a valley of green jelly. The 6×6 grid is centrally located on the screen, with the Merge Up Meter positioned above it. Players can enhance their gaming experience by activating the Feature Buy button on the right. Other controls, including Spin and Bet Size buttons, can be found below the reels. Players create winning combinations by landing 4 or more identical symbols in a cluster, which triggers the Merge Up feature.

The lower-paying symbols consist of purple, blue, green, and yellow candies. Landing 12 or more of the same symbol yields payouts between 4X and 16X. The higher-paying symbols are represented by an orange, a red, a pink candy, and a purple bear, with payouts for 12 or more of the same symbol ranging from 20X to 80X.

The game’s Scatter Symbol features a lollipop with the letter “S,” and landing 3 or more will trigger the Bonus Game. If symbols of the 8th level form a winning cluster, those symbols merge to create a Bubblegum Symbol, depicted as a red caramel. Let’s explore the special features that this game offers.

Special Features & Slot Mechanics

What is the max win in the slot of Sugar Merge Up?

The maximum win is 10,000X the bet.

What features are available in the slot of Sugar Merge Up?

The features of this slot game include Cascade & Merge Up, Cell Multipliers, Bubblegum Symbol, Free Spins, and Feature Buy.

Cascade & Merge Up

This feature activates when a cluster win occurs. Some of the winning symbols are removed from the reels while others transform or merge into symbols of the next level. New symbols will drop from above, allowing for new winning combinations that continue as long as winning combinations are formed.

There are 9 levels in this game, and winnings depend on the level of merging symbols and their quantities. The levels are as follows:

Purple – blue – green – yellow – orange – red – pink – bear – Bubblegum – Scatter Symbol.

Cell Multipliers

Winning clusters highlight their cells. If a new winning cluster forms in the same cell, that cell receives a 2X Multiplier. Each subsequent win occurring in a highlighted cell doubles its multiplier value. The Cell Multiplier remains active on the reels until the spin concludes and affects any winning combination involving that cell.

If multiple Cell Multipliers contribute to the same win, they are summed before being applied. The maximum value for a single cell’s multiplier is 128X.

Bubblegum Symbol

The Bubblegum Symbol is generated from 8th-level symbols during the Merge Up mechanic. When it appears, it pops and removes 8 surrounding symbols. Newly introduced symbols fill the empty spaces, and the Bubblegum Symbol is converted into a Scatter Symbol. If a symbol that gets removed had a Cell Multiplier, its value is doubled.

Free Spins

This feature activates by landing 3 or more Scatter Symbols anywhere on the reels. Depending on the number of Scatter Symbols landed (3, 4, or 5), players receive 12, 15, or 20 Free Spins, respectively. Landing 6 or more Scatter Symbols awards 30 Free Spins. The feature can be retriggered by landing 3 or more Scatter Symbols, granting an additional +5 Free Spins.

During this feature, winning cluster positions remain highlighted, and their multipliers continue to increase until the feature ends.

Feature Buy

<pFor those looking to enhance their gaming experience, the Feature Buy options offer an RTP of 97%:

Chance x2 = For an additional 20% of the current bet, players double their chance of activating the Bonus Game.

10X (Random Booster) = Grants some Cell Multipliers on the grid, with random multiplier values up to 128X.

40X (Booster x16) = Provides all Cell Multipliers a 16X Multiplier value.

100X (Sugar Joy) = Activates the Bonus Game.

250X (Super Euphoria) = Initiates the Bonus Game with a starting 2X Multiplier in all cells.

500X (Sugar Boom) = Triggers the Bonus Game with multipliers generated from 3 to 9 Bubblegum pops.

Final Thoughts on Sugar Merge Up

This game adds another version to the studio’s successful Merge Up series. It features a refined design that creates a modern look, complemented by a joyful soundtrack and a sweet candy theme. Although similar themes have been seen numerous times before, it fits well with the Merge Up mechanic, where candies grow sweeter with each merge.

What sets this game apart? As highlighted in the introduction, it maintains the same gameplay structure as Merge Up 2 but enhances the design and softens the graphics. Gameplay remains consistent, though the improved Feature Buy options should attract players willing to enhance their experience at a cost. While there was hope that the studio would elevate the Merge Up mechanic further, it still offers an entertaining experience with good win potential. During testing, the Cell Multipliers were enjoyable in both Base and Bonus Games, capable of reaching 128X, making the maximum win of 10,000X the bet plausible, though highly unlikely.

Overall, this release mirrors the structure of Merge Up 2, providing similar gameplay with only enhanced Feature Buy options. Nonetheless, the RTP has decreased from 98% to 97%. Although this remains a solid figure, it is a slight decline. In conclusion, while the refined design and improved Feature Buy were appreciated, the gameplay feels too familiar compared to its predecessor to achieve great differentiation. For players seeking more excitement within this game series, we recommend Lucky 8 Merge Up.

Sugar Merge Up combines the popular Merge Up mechanic with polished visuals and enhanced Feature Buy options while offering familiar gameplay.