Play Showtime Spectacular for Free

New and exciting online slot developers are emerging all the time. The UK already has plenty of established video slots providers but there's always room for one or two newcomers.

Live 5 Gaming have been releasing slots and games since 2015. They might not have too many releases, but the independent provider already has some exclusive deals with several big UK-facing casino sites.

It's notable that Live 5 Gaming hails from the United Kingdom. On loading up the mobile-optimised Showtime Spectacular video slot, gamblers will discover features familiar to anyone who has played a British fruit machine. The feature trail has come straight off a fruit machine more commonly associated with British developers like Barcrest.

Unfortunately, the RTP of Showtime Spectacular also seems to have been inspired by UK fruit machines.  At just over 93%, players won't see too much in the way of long-term profits, but it will be fun trying.

You can the play for free, but the real money version of Showtime Spectacular is where the big enjoyment can be found. Both low limit players and high rollers alike are catered for with the betting structure.

Coins start at just 0.01, and the game plays on 20 paylines. The max bet is set at 100.00, which should keep the bigger spenders happy. The free Showtime Specactular slot machine works just as well on desktop or tablet. The touch buttons are well-placed on the right of the reels and there are separate buttons for the Spin and Autoplay functions. Super-sized '+' and '-' buttons allow the player to move their bets up and down with ease.

There are nine regular symbols to find in Showtime Spectacular. The 10, J, and Q all pay 10x to 40x the line bet if you hit three to five of a kind on an active win line. The K and A pay slightly better at 20-80x. The blonde showgirl in this Broadway special pays 20-160x, but the ginger showgirl (40-240x) and black showgirl (40-320x) are more lucrative. Look out for the bearded theater owner. This chap will bag you 40-400x if you hit three to five of a kind.

The game's wild symbol is the Showtime Spectacular logo. It substitutes all of the nine regular symbols in the game. It also pays a real cash prize worth 100x line bet, 400x, or 500x if you manage to land three, four, or five on a win line.

Classic UK fruit machines are recognisable for their familiar features and bonuses. The Feature Trail is a mainstay of most land-based machines, and the online variants are no different. The idea is to light up enough special stages underneath the reels to activate a bonus round.

There is a 9-stage feature trail in Showtime Spectacular. On reels 1, 3, and 5 you will find that some symbols feature superimposed numbers (1, 2, 3, and 4). If you land one or more, the trail will start lighting up. Complete all nine positions on the trail and the Feature Wheel will be activated.

The Feature Wheel contains 16 prize bonuses, from a cash carousel featuring 15 mini-reels to free spins. The Spotlight Bonus works like a pick'em bonus with areas of the music hall stage lit up to reveal prizes. The 'Streak', meanwhile, features a set of reels that deliver four guaranteed random wins.

Players can enjoy 5, 10, or 20 free spins if they hit the right space. All wins have a multiplier attached worth anything from 2x to 10x. The 'Spin till Win' bonus will start the reels spinning. They keep on spinning until a real cash win is produced.

You can also activate smaller bonuses if you light up only four of the Feature Trail positions. One of four bonuses will trigger:

Number Spin: The trail position is held while the reels respin. This guarantees a number to help you complete the feature trail.

Free Spin: The trail position is frozen and the reels respin once for a cash prize.

Boost: A random number of extra positions will light up on the trail.

Numbers in View: Any number currently in view on the reels will be added to the feature trail.

Live 5 Gaming aren't the only online slot developers who have a feature trail in their games. In fact, a more unusual source of AWP slots is Microgaming.

Microgaming's Cops & Robbers video slot features a cool Chaser Trail bonus game. Triggered by landing three or more scatters, players have to work their way along a lit feature trail. There are multipliers worth up to 200x available.

For a neat twist on the old-school feature trail, check out Playtech's excellent Streak of Luck slot. The game awards free spins if you manage to hit four consecutive winning spins. The more you fill up the feature trail, you more spins you win. If you fill up the entire feature trail you will win 60 free games and a progressive jackpot. Streak of Luck is a volatile game but it has a lot of gambling action for the slot player.

Live 5 Gaming have their roots in UK fruit machines. And if you are a fan of the feature prize trail, you will find plenty to enjoy in this Showtime Spectacular game.

The RTP could be higher, and the volatility makes the bonuses feel a little out of reach. But it's bright and colorful and works well on a range of slick devices.

If you want to play for free, check out the link and see if admission to this show is worth the price.