Money Train Review & Gameplay
A gritty Wild West ride with unique bonus mechanics, engaging features, and the foundation of a franchise that would redefine high-volatility slots. Before the explosive sequel Money Train 2 took the spotlight, Relax Gaming’s Money Train was the game that started it all. Released in 2019, this Western-themed slot introduced players to the “Money Cart Bonus Round” , a feature so successful it became an industry benchmark. With a max win of 20,000× your stake, a bold outlaw theme, and interactive bonus symbols, Money Train quickly became a cult favourite. It doesn’t have the polish or sheer chaos of its sequel, but Money Train deserves credit for setting the stage. This is where Relax Gaming first proved they could build a slot with cinematic presentation, high drama, and bonus rounds that feel like mini-games.
- Groundbreaking Money Cart Bonus Round.
- High max win potential for its time (20,000×).
- Expanding reels keep the bonus dynamic.
- Base game feels thin compared to the bonus.
- Volatility may deter casual players.
- Overshadowed by its sequel in terms of polish and potential.
Here’s everything you need to know before boarding this train.
Game Details
| Feature | Info |
| Developer | Relax Gaming |
| Release Date | August 2019 |
| Reels / Rows | 5 reels, 4 rows |
| Paylines | 40 fixed paylines |
| Volatility | High |
| RTP | 96.20% (check casino, some offer lower) |
| Max Win | 20,000× your stake |
| Min/Max Bet | $0.10 – $50 |
| Bonus Features | Money Cart Bonus Round, Expanding Reels, Special Symbols |
Theme, Visuals & Audio
Money Train transports you to a dusty frontier town where outlaws run wild and fortunes are made (or lost) on the rails. The reels are set against the backdrop of a rugged Wild West train, complete with rusting metal, bullet holes, and mechanical details that give it a gritty, industrial edge.
The characters are a band of rogues: a Gunslinger, Bandit, Sniper, and Necromancer, each illustrated with comic-book flair. Their grim faces and outlaw gear add personality, while bonus animations , like the train pulling forward when the Money Cart triggers , make it feel like more than just a static slot.
Audio design adds to the atmosphere: twanging guitars, dusty winds, and suspenseful music when the bonus builds. While not as cinematic as the sequel, it laid the groundwork for the franchise’s immersive style.
How It Works – Base Game Mechanics
Money Train plays on a 5×4 grid with 40 fixed paylines. Wins form traditionally from left to right, but like many high-volatility titles, the base game is mostly about waiting for the bonus feature.
Base game features include:
- Wilds: Substitute for all regular symbols to help complete wins.
- Scatter Symbols: Landing 3 or more triggers the Money Cart Bonus Round.
- Random Payouts: The highest-paying character symbols can yield up to 20× your stake for a full line.
The base game has decent pace but, much like its sequel, it often feels like a prelude. You spin, you get teases, and you’re really just waiting for the train to roll in.
Symbols & Payouts
The paytable is divided into outlaws (premium) and card suits (low-paying):
- High-paying symbols: Necromancer, Sniper, Gunslinger, and Bandit. The Necromancer is the most valuable, paying 20× your stake for 5-of-a-kind.
- Low-paying symbols: Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs. Payouts are much smaller but appear more often.
- Wild Symbol: Substitutes for all standard symbols.
- Bonus Symbol: Landing 3 triggers the Money Cart Bonus Round.
While payouts in the base game aren’t groundbreaking, the bonus round makes every symbol feel alive with added mechanics.
Bonus Feature – The Money Cart Bonus Round
This is the reason you play Money Train. It’s not just a bonus; it’s the blueprint for what became one of the most iconic mechanics in slot history.
How it triggers:
- Land 3 or more Bonus symbols anywhere on the reels.
How it works:
- You start with 3 spins.
- Every time a new symbol lands, the spin counter resets back to 3.
- The reels expand sideways if certain unlock symbols appear, adding more space for potential multipliers.
- The round ends only when you run out of spins.
Symbols in the bonus:
- Standard Symbols: Display a multiplier (1×–10×).
- Collector: Gathers the values of all visible multipliers and adds them to itself.
- Payer: Adds its value to all other visible symbols.
- Persistent Symbols: Rare but powerful , they repeat their effect on every spin until the round ends.
- Unlock Symbols: Expand the grid to open more reels, dramatically increasing potential.
The synergy between these symbols is what makes Money Train’s bonus so engaging. One Collector can snowball your winnings. A Payer + Collector combo can escalate values quickly. Add a Persistent symbol, and suddenly you’re looking at the kind of win that put this slot on the map.
Max Win & Volatility
- Max Win: 20,000× your stake.
- Volatility: High , expect stretches of quiet spins followed by bursts of adrenaline when the bonus delivers.
Compared to its sequels, the max win is more modest, but for 2019 it was considered massive. Even today, a 20,000× cap is enough to grab attention.
RTP – What to Look For
The default RTP is 96.20%, which is competitive. However, operators may offer alternative versions (e.g., 94%). Always check the game’s info panel, especially given the volatility , small RTP differences can matter over time.
Who Should Play Money Train?
| Player Type | Why It Works for You |
| Bonus hunters | The Money Cart is one of the most exciting features of its era. |
| High-risk takers | Big max win (20,000×) for those willing to ride volatility. |
| Western fans | Strong outlaw aesthetic with atmospheric design. |
| Franchise followers | See where the iconic Money Train series began. |
Final Thoughts – “The Original Ride”
Money Train is more than just a good slot; it’s the foundation of a franchise that shaped modern high-volatility gameplay. While it doesn’t have the sky-high max win or flashy mechanics of Money Train 2 and 3, it remains a thrilling ride with enough grit, atmosphere, and potential to stand on its own.
If you’re curious about where it all began , or if you just want a no-nonsense bonus slot with serious payout potential , boarding the original Money Train is still worth your ticket.
Similar Slots You Might Like
- Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming): Bigger, darker, with a max win of 50,000×.
- Money Train 3 (Relax Gaming): The apex of the series, with 100,000× potential and even crazier mechanics.
- Dead Man’s Trail (Relax Gaming): Board-game style journey bonus with a pirate twist.
- Fire in the Hole xBomb (Nolimit City): Explosive mechanics and gritty visuals, perfect for volatility fans.
- Tombstone (Nolimit City): Dark Wild West slot with fast-paced volatility.
