Panda Pow!, which was released in April 2017, is a panda-inspired slot game made by and a trademark of Lightning Box Games; SG Digital distributes the software. The rival panda-based casino games include Panda’s Fortune from Pragmatic Play, Wacky Panda from Microgaming, and The Dalai Panda from iSoftBet.

The name “Panda Pow!” is partially derived from the real-life giant panda—a white and black bear that originated from China; and borrowed from the word “pow!”, which is an exclamation that describes an explosive sound or loud blow. Specifically, the word “pow!” pops beside the shadow boxing panda, indicating the punching sounds. Most of the Panda Pow! symbols require between three and five combinations, others require between one and five combinations, and others allow up to nine combinations.

Panda Pow! Game Characteristics
Panda Pow! has 25 fixed pay lines on its 5×4 grid. The following are the twelve Panda Pow symbols—there are ten regular symbols and two special symbols. The special symbols are: a free games-triggering “Wild Bonus” (scatter) panda with a red headband; and a “Wild” panda dressed in a golden orange robe that only comes up during the free games mode. Both pandas are substituting symbols.

The regular symbols are: a panda sitting on a branch and enjoying bamboo leaves, a goldfish, three conjoined golden medallions with Chinese characters, a Chinese lantern, a predominantly blue hand fan, a blue K, a purple Q, a green J, a golden-yellow 9, and a golden-brown 10.

These are the Panda Pow! credit values: $0.01, $0.02, $0.03, $0.04, $0.05, $0.10, $0.15, $0.20, $0.25, $0.30, $0.50, $0.75, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $10.00, $12.00, $15.00, and $20.00. These are the Panda Pow! stakes: $0.25 (minimum total bet), $0.50, $0.75, $1.00, $1.25, $2.50, $3.75, $5.00, $6.25, $7.50, $12.50, $18.75, $25.00, $37.50, $50.00, $75.00, $125.00, $250.00, $300.00, $375.00, and $500.00 (maximum total bet).

Panda Pow! has four types of combinations: the panda on the bamboo branch requires between one and five combinations; the goldfish requires between two and five combinations; the other eight regular symbols require three, four, or five combinations; and the “Wild Bonus” panda needs between five and nine combinations.

The Panda Pow! payouts for three, four, and five winning combinations are: the golden medallions offer X20, X50, and X100; either the Chinese lantern or the hand fan pays X15, X50, and X100; either Ks or Qs pays X5, X25, and X50; and Js, or 9s, or 10s pay X5, X10, and X50.

One, two, three, four, and five pandas on a branch pay X2, X5, X50, X125, and X500. Two, three, four, and five goldfish combinations pay X5, X25, X100, and X200. Lastly, the “Wild Bonus” panda: five combinations offer five free games, six combinations give eight free games, seven combinations offer twelve free games, eight combinations offer 15 free games, and nine combinations offer 20 free games. Panda Pow! has a non-progressive jackpot amounting to $10000.

The Panda Pow! software is good. There are animated graphics. The grid’s background shows a peri-urban Chinese setting (possibly a zoo) and, in particular, the shadow boxing panda reminds of the 2008 movie Kung Fu Panda. The instrumentals, such as the rhythmic piano chords and the timpani beats, and the squeaking panda sound effects have an oriental element.

Luck in Panda Pow!
A game of chance, Panda Pow!’s RTP rate is 95.51% while the house edge is 4.49%.