Playing Rocket Men - First Impressions
Sitting down to play Rocket Men felt less like spinning a fruit machine and more like watching a satirical Saturday morning cartoon. Red Tiger has created a distinctively adult, political theme here. The visual of the two rostrums on either side of the 5x20 grid sets the stage immediately, with a cheerful soundtrack that oddly complements the looming threat of nuclear war between Kim and Don.
Solo Modifiers in Rocket Men Base Game
During my session, the base game wasn't just dead spins; the solo modifiers kept things ticking over. When Don lands on reel 1 without his rival, he triggers "Don's Driving Range". It is quite satisfying watching him whack golf balls at the reels to smash away symbols, allowing new ones to drop down for a potential win.
Conversely, Kim has his own "Little Game" if he lands on reel 5 alone. He fires rockets at the grid, turning symbol positions Wild. I found Kim's feature hit slightly less often for me than the golf game, but the generated Wilds definitely helped connect some decent line wins during the grind.
How Rocket Men Bonus Rounds Work
The real adrenaline kicks in when you land Don on reel 1 and Kim on reel 5 simultaneously, comprising the "Kim vs Don" battle. They fire projectiles until there is a winner or a tie. If Don wins, "Party Time" starts, where I had to pick girls to reveal instant cash prizes. It is a bit risque but pays nicely.
If Kim wins the skirmish, you enter "Boom Time". Here, you pick rockets for him to launch at targets. I managed to hit a few huge prizes before a rocket finally splashed into the sea to end the round. The bonus gameplay focuses heavily on these pick-me mechanics, which specifically breaks up the spinning monotony.
However, the best outcome is a tie, triggering "Nuclear Spins". This awards unlimited free spins. Both characters fire Wild rockets across the reels horizontally-Don's go right, Kim's go left. The spins only stop when one character's health bar is depleted. This was by far the most volatile and profitable part of my testing.
Unique Symbols and Paytable
The paytable in Rocket Men is undeniably bold and full of hidden meanings. High-value symbols include a duck wearing a helmet, a dynamo-charged hamburger, and a rather suggestive lady's buttocks tattoo with a "Don" stamp. It is not something you would show your nan, but it fits the satirical vibe perfectly.
Special symbols are crucial here. The standard Wild is two rockets, but there is also a "Nuke Wild" that substitutes for everything. The animations for the Don and Kim scatters are flawless, blending perfectly with the cartoonish style. Seeing that shark swimming under the reels adds a nice touch of constant danger to the visuals.
Symbol Payouts
| Symbol | Payout |
|---|---|
 | 5 → x25 |
| 4 → x12 | |
| 3 → x2 | |
 | 5 → x20 |
| 4 → x8 | |
| 3 → x1.5 | |
 | 5 → x9 |
| 4 → x3 | |
| 3 → x1 | |
 | 5 → x4.5 |
| 4 → x1.5 | |
| 3 → x0.5 | |
 | 5 → x3 |
| 4 → x1 | |
| 3 → x0.3 | |
 | 5 → x2.4 |
| 4 → x0.8 | |
| 3 → x0.2 | |
 | 5 → x1.8 |
| 4 → x0.6 | |
| 3 → x0.2 | |
 | 5 → x1.2 |
| 4 → x0.4 | |
| 3 → x0.1 | |
 | 5 → x0.9 |
| 4 → x0.3 | |
| 3 → x0.1 |
Final Verdict on Rocket Men
After a proper session on Rocket Men, I can say the gameplay backs up the controversial theme. The variety of five different features means you are rarely bored, even if the volatility can feel a bit sharp at times. If you appreciate political humour and mechanics that involve actual character battles, this Red Tiger title is worth a spin.
In-Game Screenshots
Rocket Men FAQ
Rocket Men — Comparison
| Game | RTP | Volatility | Max Win | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.24% | Average | x624 | 7 | |
| 95.2% | Average | x1320 | ||
| 95.24% | High | x1262 | ||
| 96.02% | High | x10000 | ||
| 96.18% | Above average | x2000 | ||
| 96.05% | High | x2000 | ||
| 96.23% | High | x10000 | ||
| 96.07% | High | x10000 | ||
| 96.11% | High | x3333 | ||
| 96.21% | High | x7777 | ||
| 96.11% | Average | x6000 | ||
| 95.07% | High | x2000 | ||
| 96.06% | Average | x2000 | ||
| 95.22% | Average | x1000 | ||
| 95.21% | High | x2000 | ||
| 95.15% | High | x2000 | ||
| 96.24% | High | x5000 | ||
| 95.24% | High | x800 | ||
| 95.08% | High | x800 | ||
| 95.13% | Average | x868 | ||
| 95.47% | Below average | x807 | ||
| 95.22% | Average | x888 | ||
| 95.2% | High | x2000 | ||
| 96.1% | High | x2000 | ||
| 95.24% | Above average | x1054 |
