Tropicool 2

A holiday slot with characters and charm

Picture a sun-bleached boardwalk sandwiched between a beach bar that never closes and a giant iceberg drifting off the coast. That's Tropicool 2, an unabashed mashup of summer getaway and fruit machine, straight from the always-creative minds at ELK Studios. If you’re tired of the usual Egyptian tombs and Viking longships, just spend a few minutes in this slot’s universe. It’s summer, it’s silly, and the main characters—a flamingo in a swimsuit, a tuxedoed toucan, and a surfer sloth—bring real personality to the reels.

The visuals go all-in on cartoon charm. Pastel blues, pink palm trees, and an arctic slab floating beside tropical waters make the setting unique, if a bit odd. Every animal has its own attitude, and you get that bright, sunny vibe from all the symbols—even the plums and apples feel ready for a pool party. There’s a jazzy, laid-back soundtrack that brings together swinging sax and gentle beach waves. The mood is fun and laid back, but not so chilled you’ll forget where you are. Compared to other slots with flat, uninspired art, this one pops.

How the gameplay shapes up

Tropicool 2 slot sets itself apart the second you spin. The grid is a hefty 6 reels by 6 rows, and it’s not just packed with fruit and animal friends—there are 46,656 ways to win. That’s thanks to an “all ways” system, not old-school paylines. As soon as you land a win, the usual happens: winning symbols vanish, new ones tumble in (cascading wins). It can set off a proper chain reaction—if you’re lucky.

Bets range from €0.20 up to €100 per spin. There’s room for just about any budget, from casual players trying the Tropicool 2 demo to high rollers feeling a bit braver (or luckier). The slot is super high volatility, meaning you’ll see a lot of dead spins, but the payouts can get massive. That giant 25,000x max win potential doesn’t come around often, but it’s hanging there, like a tempting cocktail just out of reach.

The RTP is where things get icy. At 94%, it’s below what’s usually considered acceptable these days. Most slots float around 96%. So, while you can have long streaks of nothing followed by a wild bonus, over the very long haul, Tropicool 2 gives a bit less back than most of its counterparts. You’ll feel the difference, especially if you’re grinding for bonuses or massive hits. Still, the game runs fast, and the variety of features means it rarely feels boring—just be prepared for stretches where your balance takes a beating.

Bonus features: Where things go wild

If all you cared about was free spins, Tropicool 2 would already be worth a shot. But this game’s bonus rounds, or ‘features’ as ELK likes to call them, throw in plenty of chaos and fun. First up is the Cool Reel—three reels hovering above the main grid, dishing out special symbols with every avalanche (that’s the cascade of new symbols). Here you’ll find Mystery Symbols, Row Swaps, Locked Wilds, and even Big Symbols that can bulldoze through stacks to reach the bottom.

The Wild symbol does the usual job, replacing everything except the birds and bonus symbols, but Locked Wilds stick around for up to 3 wins before leaving. If you land a Row Swap, it shuffles up its entire row (except for a few excluded symbols), giving the grid a proper shake-up right when you might need it most. Mystery Symbols can flip into any paying symbol when the spin ends—always a nice moment, even if it doesn’t always bring a win.

Land three or more neon B Bonus symbols and you’re into the Free Drops (that’s what Tropicool 2 calls free spins). The more Bs, the more drops—six for three, up to fifteen if you manage six Bonus symbols. In Free Drops, things get even wilder: look out for Extra Drops for more free spins and Multipliers (up to 3x) that turbocharge any payouts you cobble together. You can even buy your way straight into the Free Drops, which—at this volatility—might be tempting if you’re running cold.

Don’t overlook Elmo the Sloth, either. If he pops into the main grid, his Elmo Redrops feature kicks in, triggering respins until he leaves. During his stay, Elmo will scare off all bird symbols, transforming them into Wilds or Locked Wilds for the duration. If there’s room, Elmo grows bigger, covering more reel positions and (hopefully) ramping up your win potential.

And about those Big Symbols: they look great on-screen, showing up as mega-sized fruit or animals in 2x2 or whopping 3x3 versions. Land one during a cascade and it smashes through any smaller symbols in its way, staying on the grid until it settles at the bottom. Just remember: Feature symbols won’t get bowled over.

Paytable: What pays and what just looks pretty

The star of the show is the strawberry—it’s the top-paying symbol, shelling out up to 3x your stake for a full winning combo. Coconuts, limes, pineapples, and the other classic fruit symbols (plus those birds) make up the mid and low payout crowd. Apples and plums don’t do much for your balance, but you’ll be seeing plenty of them.

Wild symbols don’t just stand in for regular symbols—they stick around for extra wins if you get the locked version. The Bonus (the neon B) only appears to trigger features; it doesn’t pay by itself, but it’s your ticket into the best parts of Tropicool 2. Birds become more valuable if Elmo decides to drop by, since he turns them into Wilds during his redrops.

It’s all colorful, with bright animated flourishes for big wins and Free Drops. Watching a massive symbol bash its way to the bottom or a locked wild glow for another spin adds to the fun—even if your win isn’t always as hefty as you hoped.

Getting started: Spinning the reels in Tropicool 2

For anyone new to Tropicool 2, or those just fishing around for a slot to try, the setup’s easy enough. Set your bet using the chips icon—it’s right there by the grid. The big circular pointer is the Spin button. If you want to let things roll, hit the Autoplay with either 10, 25, 50, or 100 auto-spins.

Check the paytable or game rules by clicking the menu (usually a simple icon in the corner). You’ll want to do this, especially on a slot with this many features packed in.

If you’re at all wary about the volatility (and given that low RTP, who wouldn’t be), go for the Tropicool 2 demo or free play option at any casino that offers it. That way, you can get a taste of all the chaos—and see if you’re feeling lucky—before you splash out real money.

How Tropicool 2 stacks up

Tropicool 2 isn’t for everyone. High variance, a lower than normal RTP, and a beach theme that feels like a fever dream. But the features stand up against anything in this genre—think Beast Mode or even something like Gorilla Go Wilder, but with far more personality (and animals in hats). If you liked the original Tropicool, or prefer mechanics-heavy fruit slots, you’ll likely enjoy the ride—even if it’s a bit bumpy.

If you’re after something with a similar fun factor but less risk, there are plenty of juicy fruit-themed slots or Megaways games out there with less punishing returns. For those who insist on sticking with ELK Studios, Beast Mode’s another solid shout.

Should you play Tropicool 2?

It’s hard not to love the vibe and look of Tropicool 2. There’s a lot here that’s genuinely fun, with thoughtful features and big win potential. But the low 94% RTP can take the wind out of your sails—especially if you’re used to slots paying back a little more over time. Still, if you play mostly for entertainment, and you’re happy to jump into a laid-back, summer slot with a few offbeat twists, try the Tropicool 2 free play or demo mode first.

Those who fall for quirky slots and don’t mind the high risk will find a lot to explore. If you’re just hunting for the most efficient slot with the highest RTP, Tropicool 2 is, frankly, an uphill swim.