Taiko Beats

Taiko Beats is a Japanese-themed video slot from Habanero, one of South Africa’s best game provider. The online slot has an impressively large RTP (96.48%) and 243 ways to win. This game is a perfect choice for those with a taste for Japanese culture, especially those passionate about the famous Japanese drums. But there’s more to this game than a catchy drumbeat.

Taiko Beats Demo

Like all Habanero games, there’s a demo Taiko Beats for you to play before playing at a real money casino. Give it go here.

How to Play the Taiko Beats Demo

The Taiko Beats slot machine has straightforward controls which may look familiar if you are a fan of Habanero’s games:

• On the left, you have the Information button (i), which will show you the game’s rules and the pay table

• Next, there’s the bet display that shows your current bet per spin

• The Bet Level button allows you to set how many coins you bet per spin. It can be set to 1, 2, 5, 7, or 10

• The Spin button in the middle has the Max bet button that sets your bet level to 10, and the Autoplay button on its sides

• The Coin button allows you to set the value of your coins. You can set it to 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20

• The Balance in the far right shows you how many coins you still have in your wallet

Taiko Beats has 243 ways to win. The bet per spin is calculated based on your bet level and coin value settings, multiplied by 25. So:

• A bet level of 1 and a coin value of 1 will result in a bet per spin worth (1x1x25=)25 coins

• A bet level of 10 and a coin value of 0.05 work out to a bet per spin worth (10x0.05x25=) 12.5 coins, and so on.

You should first set your bet per spin to a level you feel comfortable with, keeping in mind the rules of good bankroll management. 

Should You Play the Taiko Beats Slot?

Give Taiko Beats a try if you are looking for a fun slot machine with a Japanese theme and also if you’re looking for a game with a potential for big wins. It has both: from Kendamas on the reels and Maneki Neko in the background to high betting limits and a big maximum win - even without a jackpot.

Bonus Games & Free Spins

Taiko Beats is an uncomplicated slot machine that offers you only what you expect from a modern-day slot machine: wilds, multipliers, and free spins. 

• The Wild symbol does what it is supposed to: it substitutes for every other symbol, except for the Scatter. In the base game, that is. Wilds only appear on reels 1, 3, and 5.

• The Scatter symbol triggers the game’s Free Spins bonus feature:

  • 3 Scatters gives you 8 free games

  • 4 Scatters gives you 18 free games

  • 5 Scatters gives you 28 free games

Free Spins

The Free Spins feature in Taiko Beats doesn’t come with anything unusual. It can’t be retriggered - the Scatters don’t appear on the reels during it. But the game doesn’t leave you without special features: you get Sticky and Multiplier Wilds.

Whenever a Wild symbol lands on the reels and forms a winning combination, it can change into a Multiplier Wild. Normal Wilds change into 2X Wilds, while 2X Wilds can change into 3X Wilds. The Wilds stick around for the next spin as well, giving you the chance for another win.

The last free spin you play is also important. If you catch a Wild in a winning combination in the last spin, you’ll get an extra bonus: two more free spins!

You can find out more about the game’s bonus features by pushing the “I” (information) button in the bottom left, and scrolling through the screens.

Jackpot Race

Like many other Habanero slots, Taiko Beats participates in the provider’s Jackpot Race network promotion. If you play the game while the promotion is active, you can be the lucky winner of a hefty cash prize triggered at random.

If your favourite South African casino participates in the Jackpot Race promotion, you’ll likely be notified of the start of the next Jackpot Race so you can go for the big win.

My Initial Thoughts Play Taiko Beats Slot Machine

To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed by the Taiko Beats slot machine at first. It’s a bit much if you’re not used to the flamboyant Asian visuals and the thundering Taiko drums. Pro tip: don’t play this game with your headphones on unless you are really into Japanese percussion - and if you do, make sure to turn off the sound effects. 

Playing the game is easy - it has a straightforward interface - the same as most other Habanero slots. Once you set your bet and press “Spin”, you dive right into a parade of Japanese… stuff.

The high-paying symbols on the reels are all Japanese - but that’s about what they have in common - a fan, a Kendama and a portion of Gohei Mochi come to mind. The low-paying symbols are borrowed from French playing cards - A, K, Q, J. But they are drawn in an Oriental style. In the background, you also have Japanese staples like a Daruma statue or a Maneki Neko, and, of course, Taiko drums. There’s Japanese stuff galore in this game.

Under the Japanese skin, Taiko Beats is a good slot machine with plenty of goodies to trigger.

Tradition And Colour

As I mentioned above, the game can be a bit overwhelming at first. It’s a bit crowded - if you’re a fan of minimalism, you won’t like it one bit. The game is dominated by shades of red, orange, and gold - all popular colours in Asia, associated with good fortune and wealth. The visuals were inspired by traditional Japanese designs, thus paying homage to the country’s culture. Its interface and function are as modern as they can be, though.

No Complications, Just Fun

There are slot machines with protagonists and backstories, but Taiko Beats is not one of them. It’s a game that focuses on nothing else but the spinning reels and the banging of the drums. It’s colourful and eye-catching, capable of putting you in the zone, but it doesn’t want to seem more than it is - a simple, uncomplicated game that you can have fun playing.

Some Technical Considerations About Taiko Beats

The Taiko Beats slot machine is a pretty traditional video slot machine with 5 reels, 3 rows, and 243 ways to win. It is a dynamic game with countless moving things on the screen, so it never gets boring, even if its hit frequency is not that high. It has a big bet limit and many free spins, making it a good choice for those looking for a win.

Taiko Beats has an RTP slightly above the industry average, and high volatility. It may not be the perfect choice for casual players. Aside from the Jackpot Race that is triggered randomly, Taiko Beats doesn’t have another jackpot. 

Why Do I Think Taiko Beats Stands Out?

If you have a passion for Asian - especially Japanese - culture or you love Taiko drums, give the Taiko Beats slot machine a try. It has colourful visuals and loads of positive energy. If you are a casual player, you might get bored of the game because of its high volatility, although its cheerful visuals make up for its shortcomings in this area.

If you are out for big wins, give Taiko Beats a try. Its 243 ways to win and lucrative free spins feature - not to mention the Jackpot Races - might just give you what you’re looking for. It takes high stakes and gives you a chance for high rewards. But you have to be willing to take high risks.