When Release the Kraken stops delivering and you need fresh options with the same expanding-grid energy, Gems Bonanza, Piranha Pays, and Return to the Feature offer the closest mechanical overlap. Gems Bonanza improves on the large-grid format with more frequent modifiers, whereas Piranha Pays delivers a similar ocean theme with a ways-to-win system that feels more active during base play. These alternatives keep the expanding, high-action gameplay intact while addressing specific pain points players often cite with the original.
Top picks for slots like Release the Kraken are: Gems Bonanza, Piranha Pays, Return to the Feature. Original provider: Pragmatic Play. RTP: 96.50%. Volatility: High.
Quick answer: Gems Bonanza delivers the same large-grid cluster action with more consistent feature triggers than Release the Kraken offers.
- Gems Bonanza – 8×8 cluster grid with four random modifiers improving base game variety
- Piranha Pays – ocean theme with expanding ways system that unlocks progressively
- Return to the Feature – grid expansion mechanic with selectable bonus options
What Drives Release the Kraken Sessions
Release the Kraken operates on a 4×4 grid that expands to 8×8 during bonus features, creating dramatic shifts in win potential mid-session. The Kraken scatter triggers free spins where colossal 2×2 and 3×3 symbols cover multiple positions, generating larger cluster wins. Roaming Kraken wilds move across the grid during bonus rounds, substituting for paying symbols and creating unexpected connections. The base game runs on standard cluster mechanics with tumbling wins, though the compact default grid limits cascade potential until features activate. Feature cadence sits on the slower side, with the Kraken bonus requiring patience to trigger. Win distribution concentrates heavily in expanded-grid bonus rounds, making base play feel like a waiting room for the main attraction. The mythology-meets-ocean theme adds visual interest but the mechanical appeal centres on the grid transformation.
Alternatives at a Glance
| Slot Name | Provider | RTP (%) | Volatility | Max Win (x stake) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release the Kraken | Pragmatic Play | 96.50 | High | 10,000x | Expanding grid 4×4 to 8×8 |
| Gems Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.51 | High | 10,000x | 8×8 cluster with modifiers |
| Piranha Pays | Play’n GO | 96.20 | High | 15,000x | Expanding ways to 8,192 |
| Return to the Feature | Hacksaw Gaming | 96.30 | High | 10,000x | Grid expansion with bonus picks |
| Pirate Gold | Pragmatic Play | 96.50 | High | 15,000x | Lucky Treasure Bag + free spins |
| Kraken’s Sky | Hacksaw Gaming | 96.28 | High | 10,000x | Airship theme, expanding mechanics |
RTP and max win can vary by slot version, so the in-game paytable is the cleanest source for the exact numbers.
Gems Bonanza
Similarity: Same provider, same 8×8 maximum grid size, same cluster-pays format with tumbling wins that Release the Kraken uses in its expanded state. Standout feature: The grid starts at 8×8 instead of expanding to it, meaning every spin operates at full capacity with four random modifiers keeping base play active. Best for: Players who like Release the Kraken’s expanded grid but hate waiting through the compact 4×4 phase to reach it. Drawback: Missing the dramatic grid-expansion moment that gives Release the Kraken its signature tension.
Piranha Pays
Similarity: Ocean theme with aquatic creatures, expanding mechanic that progressively unlocks more win potential, high volatility with concentrated bonus payouts. Standout feature: The ways-to-win system expands from 1,024 to 8,192 ways during features, creating the same growth sensation as Release the Kraken’s grid expansion but through a different mechanical route. Best for: Players who want the ocean aesthetic and expanding potential but prefer ways-to-win over cluster pays. Drawback: Lower RTP at 96.20% compared to Release the Kraken’s 96.50%.
Return to the Feature
Similarity: Grid expansion mechanic that transforms the playing field during bonus rounds, creating the same before-and-after dynamic Release the Kraken relies on. Standout feature: Selectable bonus options let players choose their preferred feature type, adding control that Release the Kraken lacks entirely. Best for: Players who enjoy grid transformation but want more agency over how bonus rounds play out. Drawback: Hacksaw’s visual style differs significantly from Pragmatic’s cleaner aesthetic, which affects immersion for players attached to Release the Kraken’s look.
Pirate Gold
Similarity: Same provider with ocean-adjacent theming, high volatility, and a feature-heavy approach where base play serves as setup for bonus rounds. Standout feature: The Lucky Treasure Bag feature awards instant prizes and multipliers, providing similar random reward moments to Release the Kraken’s Kraken scatter but with more frequent triggers. Best for: Players who like Pragmatic’s approach but want a slot where features feel more accessible than Release the Kraken’s slower bonus cadence. Drawback: Standard 5×4 grid lacks the expansion mechanic that defines Release the Kraken’s appeal.
Kraken’s Sky
Similarity: Kraken theming, expanding mechanics, high volatility with bonus-concentrated wins that mirror Release the Kraken’s payout distribution. Standout feature: Steampunk airship aesthetic offers a visual twist on the kraken concept while maintaining similar expanding grid elements. Best for: Players who love the kraken theme but want a fresh visual take without losing the mechanical feel. Drawback: Hacksaw’s math model runs differently from Pragmatic’s, so the win rhythm feels distinct even when features seem similar.
At £20 / €20 / $20 stake, Release the Kraken’s 10,000x max returns £200,000 / €200,000 / $200,000, matching Gems Bonanza’s ceiling exactly while Piranha Pays pushes to £300,000 / €300,000 / $300,000 at 15,000x.
When Release the Kraken Isn’t Clicking
The 4×4 base grid makes many spins feel limited before features trigger. Gems Bonanza solves this by running at full 8×8 capacity from the first spin, eliminating the waiting phase entirely. If the bonus triggers too rarely for your taste, Pirate Gold’s Lucky Treasure Bag feature activates more frequently while staying within Pragmatic’s mechanical family. For players who love the expansion concept but want it attached to ways-to-win instead of clusters, Piranha Pays delivers that same growth sensation through a different payout structure. The trade-off with any of these is losing Release the Kraken’s specific colossal symbol mechanic, which no alternative replicates exactly.
| Slot | Wilds | Scatters | Bonus Rounds | Multipliers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release the Kraken | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gems Bonanza | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Piranha Pays | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Return to the Feature | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pirate Gold | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kraken’s Sky | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Quick Answers
What slot is most similar to Release the Kraken?
Gems Bonanza matches the grid size, cluster format, and provider, making it the closest structural match. The main difference is Gems Bonanza starts expanded rather than growing into it.
Are there slots with higher RTP than Release the Kraken?
Release the Kraken’s 96.50% RTP sits at Pragmatic’s standard tier. Gems Bonanza edges slightly higher at 96.51%. Moving to other providers, few high-volatility expanding-grid slots significantly exceed this range.
What Pragmatic Play slots are like Release the Kraken?
Gems Bonanza shares the large cluster grid, while Pirate Gold offers similar ocean theming with different mechanics. Release the Kraken 2 exists as a direct sequel with enhanced features and updated visuals.
Can I play slots like Release the Kraken for free?
Pragmatic Play slots including Release the Kraken, Gems Bonanza, and Pirate Gold are available in demo mode at most online casinos. Play’n GO’s Piranha Pays also offers free play through casino demo libraries.
Is there a Release the Kraken 2?
Yes, Pragmatic released a sequel that expands on the original’s mechanics with additional features and improved graphics while maintaining the core expanding-grid system.
Closest mechanical match: Gems Bonanza delivers the 8×8 cluster experience from spin one instead of requiring you to earn it through features. Best overall alternative: Piranha Pays combines the ocean theme with expanding ways-to-win mechanics and a higher 15,000x max win, addressing Release the Kraken’s ceiling while keeping the growth-based excitement intact. Start with Gems Bonanza if you want identical Pragmatic mechanics without the expansion wait, or Piranha Pays if the theme matters as much as the feel.