Le Bandit is a 5-reel video slot game developed by NetEnt, one of the most renowned names in online casino software. Released in 2012, it has since become a staple among slots enthusiasts worldwide for its intriguing theme and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Theme
Set against the backdrop of an old-fashioned bank heist, Le Bandit is all about cunning thieves looking to get away with a big score. The game features five high-paying characters le-bandit.uk – Frank (the thief), Mrs. White (his partner-in-crime), the Bank Manager, the Detective, and a suspicious-looking man lurking in the shadows.
The colorful graphics are reminiscent of classic detective films, complete with old cameras, police radios, and the obligatory black-and-white wanted poster featuring your typical bank robbery suspects.
Design
Le Bandit boasts vibrant visuals that immerse players into its world. The characters’ designs are bold and memorable, making them easy to recognize on the reels even in a crowded symbol layout. Players will find 5 fixed paylines with various winning combinations possible across these lines.
Symbols
The game features four basic symbols:
- A set of playing cards (10-Ace) represented as banknotes
- The Bank Manager, Mrs. White, Frank, and the Detective
- Scattered ‘Bank Vault’
These are accompanied by Wilds – 2 characters that double up for any other symbol.
Payouts
Standard paytable offers payouts ranging from x1 to x1000 for the character symbols (depending on their combination) while Banknotes yield between x5 and x200. However, do note that standard pays occur only when specific combinations appear across one of five fixed winning lines.
Wilds
Frank’s Wild symbol acts as a substitute in any winning line but cannot be triggered individually; it’s purely an assistant to the main symbols for building winning combos.
Scatters
The ‘Bank Vault’ appears on reels 1,3, and 5 with a win of x2 if three or more appear anywhere across the grid – its impact increases exponentially by up to x1000 when accompanied by any Wild symbol. Two Scattered Bank Vaults initiate re-spin in which another Scatter wins free spins.
Bonus Features
Free Spins are awarded for combinations containing Bank Vault scatters and Wilds – with up to 18 extra rounds on offer based solely on winning combos (not number of spins). Bonus Free Games trigger when landing more than one combination including Scattered Bank Vaults, resulting in a random choice between "Low" or ‘High’ volatility options. The free spin game offers two distinct sets of reels.
First, there’s the Wilds Reels variant where only reels 2 and 4 feature single-character symbols (no multipliers).
Secondly is Bonus Multiplier with higher potential payouts – but without character multiplier.
RTP & Volatility
NetEnt has a long-standing practice of offering RTP that reaches near 97.7% on most releases, though individual results do vary depending upon gameplay. The volatility level for Le Bandit varies between ‘Medium-High,’ giving it a moderate betting requirement while producing less frequent yet significant payouts.
Betting Range & Max Win
Le Bandit’s betting range is substantial; players can bet up to $100 on a single spin across 50p – £2 per payline. The top win goes as high as x15,000 the initial wager when utilizing Wilds effectively in conjunction with free spins.
Gameplay
Overall gameplay feels balanced yet engaging thanks to responsive animations during wins and short cutaways that remind you of an unfolding mystery around you at any given time. Le Bandit incorporates a ‘Lock Down’ option on some paylines for greater versatility while exploring strategic play options.
Mobile Play
As NetEnt optimized this release, players enjoy seamless performance across both iOS and Android platforms as they interact with the classic heist storyline anywhere.