Gonzo’s Quest™ II: Return to El Dorado Review & Demo Game

Gonzo’s Quest™ II Introduction

If there is one character who qualifies as the mascot of the online slot world, it’s Gonzo. After more than a decade of searching for the lost city of gold, and a few detours into Megaways and Live Casino territory, NetEnt has finally dropped the official, bona fide sequel: Gonzo’s Quest™ II: Return to El Dorado.

We know what you’re thinking: Can it possibly live up to the first version? We’ve spun the reels, triggered the Avalanches, and tested the features extensively to answer that question. Here is our deep-dive review of Gonzo’s Quest 2, and why we think it might just be the new king of the jungle for SA players.

Gonzo’s Quest™ II: Return to El Dorado Game Details

Before we hack through the vines, here are the vital statistics you need to know before playing.

*1 in 50 million chance of hitting when using 96.06% RTP option.

The Gameplay: A Familiar Face with New Tricks

When you first load the game, you’ll feel a surge of nostalgia. NetEnt has kept the soul of the classic 2013 classic but gave it a massive facelift. The 3D graphics are sharper, the jungle is lush, and Gonzo is still standing on the sidelines, cheering (and moonwalking) for your wins.

The Core Mechanic: Avalanches & Expanding Reels

The famous Avalanche mechanic is back. When you hit a winning combination, the symbols explode, and new ones drop down to fill the gaps. Each consecutive avalanche increases a win multiplier: x1, x2, x3, x4, up to x5 in the base game.

But here is the twist: The grid grows. You start on a 6×4 grid with 4,096 ways to win. Every time you land a win, a new row is added to the top of the reels. You can expand the grid to 8 rows, generating a massive 262,144 ways to win. This feels similar to the ELK Studios “Gold” series mechanics, but it fits perfectly here.

Expert Insight: During our test sessions, the expanding grid kept the base game engaging. Even without hitting the bonus round immediately, climbing the rows gave us a sense of progression that the first game lacked.

Explosive Features: Calamity Wilds & Colossal Symbols

NetEnt didn’t just add rows; they added firepower.

Calamity Wilds

Standard Wilds exist, but look out for the Calamity Wild. When this symbol is part of a win, it triggers the Random Wilds feature. It explodes and scatters 3 to 6 regular Wilds across the grid before the next Avalanche drops. This can save a dead spin and turn it into a massive streak.

Colossal Symbols

In a nod to modern trends, high-paying symbols and Scatters can now land as 2×2, 3×3, or 4×4 Colossal blocks.

• A 2×2 symbol counts as 4 symbols.
• A 4×4 symbol counts as 16 symbols.
• Note: Colossal Scatters are the means of unlocking the game’s biggest potential (more on that below).

The Main Event: Free Spins & Super Free Spins

This is where the El Dorado gold is hidden. You trigger the bonus by landing 3 to 6 Scatters in a row from the left.

Regular Free Spins

• 10 to 20 Spins awarded.
• Multiplier: Starts at x2 and increases by +2 per Avalanche (Resets between spins).
• Grid: The grid expands with wins and stays expanded for the duration of the bonus.

Super Free Spins (The Jackpot Chaser)

This is the feature that will have South African players talking. You trigger this by landing at least one Colossal Scatter (2×2 or larger) during the trigger.

• The Kicker: The Multiplier does not reset between spins.
• Depending on the size of your Colossal Scatter, your multiplier can start at x5 and increase by +5 per Avalanche. This is how you reach that 15,825x max win.

The Elevate Feature (Bonus Buy)

For players who prefer to cut straight to the chase, Gonzo’s Quest 2 introduces the “Elevate” menu. While regulations vary, many jurisdictions allow these options:

• Bonus Hunt (2x bet): Guaranteed Scatter on the reels.
• Calamity Explosion (10x bet): Guaranteed Calamity Wild win.
• Calamity Max (30x bet): Guaranteed Calamity Wild + Max 6×8 Grid.
• Free Spins (100x bet): Buy the standard bonus.
• Super Free Spins (1,000x bet): Buy the enhanced bonus with non-resetting multipliers.

⚠️ Responsible Gambling Warning: The 1,000x buy is extremely volatile. We recommend sticking to the base game or lower-tier buys unless your bankroll can handle high variance.

The Verdict: Is it Better than the Original version?

Some games come close to being perfect, but no game is ever perfect.

Pros:

• ✅ Massive Potential: 262,144 ways to win is a huge upgrade from the first 20 paylines.
• ✅ Super Free Spins: The non-resetting multiplier is a thrill ride.
• ✅ Nostalgia Done Right: It looks and feels like Gonzo, just bigger and better.

Cons:

• ❌ RTP Ranges: Be careful! Some casinos may run this at 88% or 92%. Always check the help file at your chosen SA casino to ensure you are playing the 96.06% version.
• ❌ Copycat Mechanics: The expanding reels feel very “borrowed” from other popular slots, though they work well here.

Our Take for SA Players

Gonzo’s Quest 2 is a worthy successor. It connects the gap between the classic gameplay of 2013 and the high-volatility, massive-grid beasts of 2025. If you loved the first version, you’ll adore this. If you found the original version too slow, the Calamity Wilds and Expanding Reels fix that problem entirely.

Play Our Demo Game

Play our free Gonzo’s Quest™ II: Return to El Dorado demo slot game: