The Ultimate 5 is a high-volatility Pragmatic Play video slot with 20 paylines, linked Money respins and free spins that remove low symbols by level across two separate bonus modes.
The review examines how linked Money groups upgrade values and how free-spin level changes progressively narrow the reel set.
RTP and game details
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release date | January 28, 2022 |
| RTP | 95.5% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | x5,000 |
| Reels | 5 x 3 |
| Paylines/Ways | 20 |
| Min/Max bet | $0.20-$100 |
| Theme | Animals & Nature |
| Bonus buy | No |
The game is dated January 28, 2022.
Pragmatic Play announced it on February 7 that year.
How linked money develops
Regular play uses a five-reel, three-row layout and twenty fixed paylines. Matching symbols pay from the left, the tree Wild substitutes for ordinary symbols, and three or more Money symbols activate Hold and Spin Super Boost.
The respin bonus clears standard symbols, holds Money icons and starts with three respins. Horizontally or vertically adjacent Money symbols form linked groups, linked values advance to the next defined tier, and every new Money symbol restores three respins.
Three, four or five diamond Scatters award eight, ten or twelve free spins. Random level ups progressively remove 10, J, Q, K and A symbols, guarantee a Wild on the changing spin, and diamond overlays can add further spins.
Unlinked Money symbols remain visible but pay nothing at feature end.
Only values belonging to linked groups enter the final total.
What reel levels remove
- Fixed lines: Twenty paylines handle standard animal and card combinations.
- Money links: Adjacent symbols combine into groups before final evaluation.
- Value steps: Linked groups advance through predefined Money value tiers.
- Level ups: Free spins remove low symbols through five ordered levels.
- Wild grant: Every random level change guarantees one Wild landing.
- Overlays: Diamond overlays add spins without replacing their underlying symbol.
Where grouped values pay
Hold and Spin value depends on building linked Money groups rather than simply filling positions. An isolated displayed value contributes nothing at feature end, while adjacency can raise every member of a group to the next predefined amount before settlement.
Free spins concentrate a different type of value by progressively removing low-paying symbols from the available reel set. A guaranteed Wild accompanies each level up, but neither the narrowed symbols nor the Wild creates a payment without a valid payline combination.
The x5,000 cap limits the final outcome. With a listed RTP of 95.5%, the high-volatility model does not show how frequently Money groups link, when random level ups occur or how many overlay diamonds will extend one free-spin round.
Player fit and limitations
- Linked groups: Suits players who track horizontal and vertical Money adjacency.
- Level sequence: Suits players following ordered symbol removal during bonuses.
- Isolated money: Unlinked Money symbols provide no final respin payment.
- Random levels: Free-spin level changes do not follow fixed timing.
Unlinked high values can encourage waiting for one adjacent symbol.
Set Responsible Gambling limits before another paid round.
Other linked respin progressions
Each alternative develops held values through respins and positional conditions.
| Slot | RTP | Volatility | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Vault | 95.1% | High | Pays held symbols without requiring linked value groups. |
| African Spirit Sticky Wilds | 95.69% | High | Uses persistent Wild positions instead of Money adjacency. |
Browse the Slots directory to compare more games, providers and mechanics.
FAQ
They must touch horizontally or vertically inside the Hold and Spin grid.
No. Only symbols belonging to linked groups enter the final payment.
The game removes 10, J, Q, K and A in that order.
A Wild symbol is guaranteed on the same spin as the level change.
Game Screenshots
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