Wanted Dead Or A Wild Pros & Cons
High-variance math with sticky multiplier wilds creates insane win potential. Still, you'll need patience and a bankroll to survive the volatility.
- 96.38% RTP above industry standard
- Max win 12,500x your total bet
- Sticky wilds with multipliers up to 5x
- Multipliers combine when wilds stack
- €0.20 min bet is accessible
- High volatility = brutal dry spells
- Base game pays are weak
- No traditional free spins bonus
- Hit frequency only 22%
- Can drain bankroll fast
Wanted Dead or A Wild Slot Review
Wanted Dead or A Wild is Hacksaw Gaming's wild west slot that actually lives up to the chaos its name promises. Released in 2021, this 5-reel outlaw adventure packs sticky wilds, multipliers, and a max win of 12,500x. We tested it at SlotsGamblers and found the high volatility math model keeps things intense, though the 96.38% RTP is solid for what you're getting here.
The game throws you into a dusty frontier town with 5 gunslingers who can land as wilds and stick around for respins. When multiple wilds hit, their multipliers combine, and stuff gets crazy fast. It's built for players who can handle long dry spells between hits but want that shot at massive payouts when the feature finally triggers.
Hacksaw Gaming designed this one for bonus hunters and high-variance fans, not casual players looking for steady small wins. The betting range starts at €0.20 and goes up to €100 per spin, so it works for different bankrolls. But make no mistake - this game will eat your balance during cold streaks, then potentially pay it all back in one wild re-spin sequence.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Release Date | February 2021 |
| Reels x Rows | 5 x 4 |
| Paylines / Ways to Win | 108 ways |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 96.38% |
| Volatility Level | High |
| Min Bet | €0.20 |
| Max Bet | €100 |
| Max Win Potential | 12,500x stake |
| Hit Frequency | ~22% |
| Default Bet Range | €0.20 - €100 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes |
Symbols & Payouts
9 symbols total - 5 character wilds, 4 regular pays. The outlaws are the stars here since they act as both premium symbols AND sticky wilds with multipliers.
🤠 The Sheriff - High Value Wild
Top-paying character symbol that also acts as a sticky wild with up to 5x multiplier. Five sheriffs lined up pay 6x your bet before any multipliers kick in. The design shows a grizzled lawman with a star badge. When he lands as a wild, he sticks for re-spins with his multiplier value displayed clearly on the symbol. You want to see multiples of this guy because the multipliers combine.
🎯 The Bandit - High Value Wild
Second-highest paying symbol with the same sticky wild mechanics and up to 5x multiplier. Five bandits pay 4.5x your bet. He's designed as a masked outlaw with dual pistols, and the animation when he lands shows the multiplier lighting up. These sticky wilds are the entire game - everything else is just filler waiting for wilds to trigger.
💀 The Outlaw - High Value Wild
The third character wild pays 3x for a five-of-a-kind. Another sticky wild with multipliers up to 5x. Designed as a scarred criminal with a bounty on his head. When multiple outlaws stick on the reels and their multipliers combine, that's when you start seeing serious money. The skull bandana design makes him easy to spot during fast spins.
🔫 The Gunslinger - Medium Value Wild
The fourth character pays 2.5x for five symbols. Same sticky wild functionality with up to 5x multipliers. Shows a quick-draw shooter in an action pose. Even though his base pay is lower, the multiplier makes him just as valuable as the premium wilds when he sticks around for re-spins.
⭐ The Deputy - Medium Value Wild
The fifth and final character wild pays 2x for five symbols. Youngest-looking outlaw with a deputy badge. Still gets up to 5x multipliers and sticky functionality. All five character symbols appear as regular pays in the base game, then randomly land with wild functionality and multipliers attached.
🪙 Gold Coin - Low Value
Highest-paying regular symbol at 1.5x for five of a kind. Shiny gold coin design that's clearly the premium non-wild symbol. You'll land these fairly often, but the pays are small compared to what happens when wilds start multiplying. Still, they keep your balance ticking during base game spins.
💎 Diamond - Low Value
Pays 1x for five symbols. Red gemstone design that frequently appears. These low pays barely move the meter, but in a high-variance slot like this, any win during a cold streak feels good. The design is simple but fits the Western treasure theme.
🃏 Ace (A) - Low Value
A standard playing card pays 0.5x for 5 symbols. Purple card with western-style font. Shows up constantly because it's one of the lowest-value symbols. Most of your small wins come from landing three or four aces when nothing else hits.
🃏 King (K) - Low Value
Lowest-paying symbol at 0.4x for five-of-a-kind. Blue playing card with fancy lettering. You'll see this one all the time, and landing five of them barely covers your spin cost. But hey, a win is a win when you're 30 spins deep with nothing.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sheriff
|
6x bet | 1.5x bet | 0.5x bet | Sticky wild + up to 5x multiplier |
|
Bandit
|
4.5x bet | 1.2x bet | 0.4x bet | Sticky wild + up to 5x multiplier |
|
Outlaw
|
3x bet | 1x bet | 0.3x bet | Sticky wild + up to 5x multiplier |
|
Gunslinger
|
2.5x bet | 0.8x bet | 0.25x bet | Sticky wild + up to 5x multiplier |
|
Deputy
|
2x bet | 0.6x bet | 0.2x bet | Sticky wild + up to 5x multiplier |
|
Gold Coin
|
1.5x bet | 0.5x bet | 0.15x bet | None |
|
Diamond
|
1x bet | 0.4x bet | 0.1x bet | None |
|
Ace (A)
|
0.5x bet | 0.2x bet | 0.05x bet | None |
|
King (K)
|
0.4x bet | 0.15x bet | 0.04x bet | None |
Bonus Features
One main feature - the sticky wild re-spin system with combining multipliers: simple concept but high-variance execution.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential Win | Frequency | Re-trigger Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sticky Wild Re-Spins
|
Any character wild lands | Wild sticks, grants re-spin. Additional wilds extend the feature. | 12,500x stake | Medium | Yes (continuous) |
|
Multiplier Combination
|
Multiple wilds active | All wild multipliers add together (1x-5x each) | 25x+ combined multiplier | Rare | N/A |
RTP & Volatility
96.38% RTP is solid and above the industry standard of 96%. High volatility means big swings.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
€0.20 |
|
Max Bet
|
€100 |
|
Max Win
|
€1,250,000 (12,500x on €100 bet) |
|
RTP %
|
96.38% |
|
Volatility
|
High (9/10) |
Mobile
Works perfectly on mobile with no issues. The 5x4 grid fits phone screens nicely, and all buttons are sized for touch. Battery drain is standard, loading is fast.
Tips
Start with low bets
Test the volatility with €0.20-€0.50 spins before increasing stakes, because this game can drain your balance fast during cold streaks.
Set a loss limit
High variance means you need disciplined bankroll management or you'll chase losses straight to zero.
Don't chase the 12,500x
Realistically, you're aiming for 50x-500x wins from sticky wild sequences, not the max win jackpot scenario.
Play when wilds stick early
If you get a sticky wild re-spin in your first 20 spins, the game might be running hot. SlotsGamblers recommends increasing your bet slightly after early wild hits.
Quit after big wins
When you hit 100x+ your bet from a wild sequence, seriously consider cashing out because the next 100 spins might pay nothing.
Similar Games
Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt)
Another western theme with sticky wilds and high volatility, though it uses traditional free spins instead of re-spins.
El Paso Gunfight (NoLimit City)
Wild west slot with xNudge wilds and extreme variance, similar audience but different mechanics.
Tombstone (NoLimit City)
Western theme with high-volatility math and huge max wins, appeals to the same bonus hunter crowd.
The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Not western themed, but similar sticky wild mechanics with multipliers that can combine for big wins.
Play Responsibly - 18+ Only
Gambling should be entertaining and fun. Remember that slots are games of chance, and there's no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and always set limits for yourself. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help immediately.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How do the sticky wild multipliers actually work in Wanted Dead or A Wild?
Character symbols randomly land with wild icons and multipliers from 1x to 5x. They stick for re-spins, and if you get multiple wilds, their multipliers add together before applying to your win.
Can you trigger multiple re-spins in a row?
Yeah, each new wild that lands gives another re-spin. We've seen sequences with 4-5 consecutive re-spins when wilds keep landing, though that's pretty rare.
Is there a traditional free spins bonus round?
Nah, no scatter symbols or free spins feature. The entire game revolves around the sticky wild re-spin system with combining multipliers.
What's the realistic max multiplier you can hit?
Most big hits land between 8x-15x total multiplier from combining multiple wilds. Getting all five wilds with max 5x multipliers for a 25x combo is the dream scenario, but it happens rarely.
Why is the base game so dead compared to the wild feature?
Hacksaw Gaming loaded all the payout potential into the sticky wild mechanics, so base game pays are intentionally weak. You're basically waiting for wilds to stick, and everything else is filler.
Do Wanted Dead or A Wild have different RTP versions?
Yeah, some casinos run 94% or 92% RTP versions instead of the standard 96.38%. Always check the game info screen before you play, because that 2-4% difference matters in the long run.
How much bankroll do you need for this volatility level?
The SlotsGamblers team recommends at least 200x your bet size as a minimum. So €40 if you're betting €0.20, or €200 if you're playing €1 spins. High variance will chew through your balance during cold streaks.
What makes this different from other Hacksaw Gaming high-variance slots?
The combining multiplier system is unique - instead of fixed wild values, multiple wilds add their multipliers together for potentially massive combined boosts. Most other Hacksaw slots use different math models.