Double Dose is one of the many titles from Microgaming’s classic slot selection as it features only three reels, one payline, and a straightforward interface for convenient and quick navigation. Basically, the only thing that makes this slot stand out from the other classic Microgaming offerings is the playful anime nurse character on the layout holding a syringe in one hand, ready to give players a “double dose” of fun.
Since Double Dose is a classic slot, the majority of the symbols in use are the usual suspects we have come to associate with retro one-arm bandits. These include cherries, single, double and triple bars, and lucky sevens. Microgaming developers have deviated from the norm with the inclusion of a wild with multipliers on wins, containing the Double Dose logo. This wild indeed stands out from the other symbols as it also awards players with the top jackpot of 1,600 coins for maximum bets.
This review covers the original three-reel, single-centre-line Microgaming desktop edition shown in the historical screenshot below. It uses one or two coins per spin. The screenshot establishes its paytable, not current casino availability, stake limits or an installation-specific RTP.
Being a retro slot that pays across a single payline in the center of the reels, Double Dose has not that much to offer in terms of special symbols. The Double Dose logo is wild which is to say, players can use it when they are short of matching symbols to complete a paying combination.
Apart from substituting for all other icons in the game, the Double Dose logo’s multipliers enable spinners to accumulate more profits on lucky rounds. One substituting wild doubles the award for the winning combination; two substituting wilds multiply that award by four. These multipliers apply to the gross award, not net profit. Three logos use their own listed top award.
The second best-paying symbol is the lucky seven which can earn you as many as 200 coins for three matches. The lower payouts are awarded by different combinations of bars and cherries. Cherries have one-symbol and two-symbol awards on the centre line. Bars do not pay merely because one bar appears: the listed bar combinations require three symbols. One cherry pays two coins with a one-coin wager or four coins with a two-coin wager. The paytable alone does not establish the game’s volatility.
| Symbol | 1 coin wagered | 2 coins wagered |
|---|---|---|
| Any 1 Cherry | 2 | 4 |
| 3x Any Bar | 3 | 6 |
| Any 2 Cherry | 5 | 10 |
| 3x Bar | 10 | 20 |
| 3x Cherry | 20 | 40 |
| 3x Double Bar | 25 | 50 |
| 3x Triple Bar | 50 | 100 |
| 3x Lucky 7s | 100 | 200 |
| 3x Double Dose Logo | 800 | 1600 |
Coin and wild payout examples
Using the screenshot’s five-unit coin setting, two coins cost 10 currency units per spin. Three double bars return 50 coins, or 250 currency units gross. After the 10-unit stake, that is a 240-unit net gain. Two double bars plus one substituting logo apply the 2× multiplier to the same 50-coin award: 100 coins, or 500 currency units gross.
Three logos at that two-coin setting return 1,600 coins, equal to 8,000 currency units. Relative to the 10-unit total stake, that is 800× the stake, not 1,600×. These are calculations for specified winning combinations, not predictions or a claim that the historical coin setting is currently offered.
Bonus Games and Features
If you are hoping for an action-packed game with plenty of additional features, Double Dose may prove to be rather disappointing for you. This is not to say this game is not worthwhile. What we mean is that this particular Microgaming creation will most likely appeal to those of you who are interested in playing classic slots on a tight budget.
As is to be expected from a classic slot, there are no side games in Double Dose. The only special symbol is the above-mentioned wild with the game’s logo which can take the place of all other icons on the spinning reels.
The three rotating reels are positioned above the game’s logo with the green-haired anime nurse while the paytable is to be found to the side. It contains all the payouts you can expect for matching symbol combinations when betting one or two coins. Basically, all the important information you need to play the game is right there on the screen. All gaming controls are positioned below, including the buttons for regulating the number of coins per spin and their value. You can conveniently bet two coins by clicking on the respective column in the paytable. The Bet One button also allows you to switch from one to two-coin bets. Coin value is regulated with the “+” and “-” buttons.
The game also features Expert Mode which allows for further modifications such as activating the Autoplay functionality. Autoplay settings vary by edition and jurisdiction; the screenshot does not verify a 500-spin setting. The Statistics functionality enables you to track your results during the current session, including how many spins you have played up to a given point and what your highest win is.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Double Dose is a great alternative for players with limited bankrolls as well as for those who are making their first steps towards spinning the reels online. The interface is simplified, making it exceptionally easy for slot novices to navigate through the game. The wild with multipliers gives the game some extra flair and enhances its winning potential with a greater number of winning combinations.
The anime style and overall theme of Double Dose may appear a bit odd at first. However, this works to the game’s advantage because it makes it all the more refreshing and original. Compare awards with the total stake: a larger coin wager increases the amount at risk as well as the possible payout, and is not a general strategy for making a profit. Three Double Dose logos pay 800 coins at a one-coin wager and 1,600 coins at a two-coin wager; doubling the stake doubles that award rather than guaranteeing a win.
Double Dose questions
Which Double Dose edition does this review cover?
The original Microgaming desktop game with three reels and one centre payline, as shown in the historical screenshot.
Can a single bar pay on its own?
No listed award is for a single bar. The bar rows require three bars; cherries have the separate one-symbol and two-symbol awards.
Do wilds multiply profit or the award?
The winning combination’s gross award is multiplied: 2× with one substituting logo and 4× with two. Deduct the spin stake afterward to calculate net profit.
Do three logos receive another wild multiplier?
Three logos use the top paytable row: 800 coins for one coin wagered or 1,600 for two. Do not add a substitution multiplier to that listed award.
Is 1,600 coins the same as 1,600 times the stake?
No. That award requires a two-coin wager, so it equals 800 times the total stake. Coin value converts both the wager and award into currency.
