Play Cat Scratch Fever for Free

So that’s the concept. But what about the gameplay? On the surface, this video slot accords to Novomatic’s tried and tested formula, with 5 reels, 25 lines, free spins and a double gamble feature. Scratch a little deeper though (hey, it’s not just developers who can deploy bad puns) and there’s more to this funkadelic baby than meets the eye.

On each of the active lines, you can bet anywhere from two to 400 credits, resulting in a maximum bet-per-spin of 10,000 credits for those seeking high stakes play. Three matching symbols in a row will be enough to grab you a slice of the action, though four- and five-in-a-row combos aren’t out of the question. Once you’ve matched three or more in a row on any of the active lines, you’ll groove straight through to the double or nothing feature. Simply guess the colour of the concealed card – black or red – to double your winnings or lose the lot. Those who are feeling bold can repeat the procedure, resulting in a possible return of four times your initial win.

Whatever your take on Cat Scratch Fever, there’s no disputing its eye-catching design. Lurid golds, purples and reds evoke the excess and glamour of the ‘70s, with a righteous soundtrack to boot. If your dancing feet just can’t resist tapping along, feel free to get up off your chair and bust some moves; there’s no one watching after all. (Note: this isn’t recommended if you’re playing on your work lunch break.)

While most Novomatic slots utilise playing card-based icons for lower denomination symbols, they’ve gotten a little more creative with Cat Scratch Fever. The upshot is that everything looks fresh and new (which is ironic for a retro ‘70s throwback); the only downside is the respective values of these symbols may take some getting used to. Look out for afro combs, red suitcases and gold cups dropping into view along with bouffant cats looking as fly as Isaac Hayes in his heyday.

Two symbols you’ll have no trouble identifying are wild and bonus, because they’re marked as such. As you would expect, the wild – which is adorned with a purple glitter ball – serves as a replacement for any of the other playing symbols except for the bonus and can turn up on any of the reels except for the first one.

To activate the bonus feature, you’ll need at least nine bonus symbols to appear on screen. This seems like a tall ask, but isn’t as hard as you might think. Achieving this feat will take you to the Scratch and Win feature, where free spins are in plentiful supply.

When two or more matching symbols fall into line, you’ll be granted the win before they’re replaced by a new batch of symbols dropping into view. This way, your prize pot can swiftly swell to a respectable size. All told, you can win anywhere between 18 and 30 free spins. Every successful winning spin counts as a ‘scratch’. Notch up a few in quick succession and you’ll soon find yourself nursing a bad case of cat scratch fever. Thankfully, its only side effect is a compulsion to keep playing in your quest for more bodacious booty and luscious lucre.

It may be a zany concept, but Cat Scratch Fever is an inventive 5-reel slot that will reward you with plenty of thrills. Some of the symbols may take a bit of getting used to, but once you’ve deduced which ones are worth chasing, the rest will fall neatly into place. Cat Scratch Fever is bright, colourful and far more enjoyable than its oddball name would suggest. Check it out for real money at the equally quirky named Supergamintor Casino.