We have reviewed the Retro Tapes Cluster Link slot from Push Gaming, featuring 80s-inspired cassette tape symbols on a 6x9 grid. The game uses cluster pays mechanics with cascading wins and offers a maximum payout of 10,000x your stake. Try the free demo below to experience the nostalgic gameplay and unique Cluster Link feature.
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Retro Tapes Cluster Link scores 8.2 out of 10 in our cluster pay slots category. The game ranks as the 4th best Push Gaming release after Jammin' Jars (9.1), Big Bamboo (8.8), and Mystery Mission to the Moon (8.5). Its 96.47% RTP places it above the 96% industry average, while the 10,000x maximum win potential matches other high-tier releases. The unique Cluster Link mechanic and magnet feature set it apart from standard cluster pay competitors, though it doesn't quite reach the instant appeal of Jammin' Jars.
The first thing that strikes you about Retro Tapes Cluster Link is how the cassette tape symbols seem to have personalities - each one has little "eyes" that give them character. The neon blue background with pulsing sound waves immediately transports you to a 1980s arcade. The synth-pop soundtrack hits the right nostalgic notes without becoming repetitive. During our test sessions, the game felt more controlled than other cluster slots - wins came in shorter bursts rather than extended cascading sequences. The 6x9 grid feels spacious, and the tape symbols are clearly distinguishable even during rapid cascades.
The Wild Tape Symbol substitutes for all regular cassette tape symbols except magnets and wild multipliers. Each wild starts with a 1x multiplier that increases by +1 every time it participates in a winning cluster. Wild tapes remain sticky throughout cascading sequences until no more wins occur.
Wild Multiplier symbols appear as stars and carry values of 1x, 2x, 3x, or 5x. When they land, they distribute their multiplier value to all wild tapes in view, then transform into instant prize symbols with random values between 1x and 1,000x.
Instant Prize symbols display bet multiplier values from 1x to 1,000x. When 5 or more instant prizes form a cluster, their combined values are awarded immediately. These symbols play a crucial role in the Top Charts bonus round.
The Magnet symbol randomly selects one type of paying symbol and attracts all matching symbols around its position to create cluster wins. If 4 or more instant prize symbols are present, the magnet can attract these instead. After creating a cluster, the magnet transforms into either the selected symbol type or a random instant prize.
Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wild Tape symbols triggers the Top Charts feature, awarding 6, 8, 10, or 12 free spins respectively. All wild tapes and instant prizes from the triggering spin become sticky throughout the bonus. Each spin can land wild tapes, wild multipliers, instant prizes, magnets, extra spin symbols, or blank spaces.
Players can purchase the Top Charts feature for 100x their bet or upgrade to Super Free Spins for 400x the bet, which provides enhanced starting conditions.
Six different coloured cassette tapes serve as the main symbols:
Wins require at least 5 matching symbols connected horizontally or vertically. Winning clusters are removed through the cascading mechanism, allowing new symbols to drop and potentially form additional wins.
The signature Cluster Link feature activates when instant prize symbols form clusters, immediately awarding their combined multiplier values. This mechanic works alongside the standard cascading system to create multiple win opportunities per spin.
| Feature | Retro Tapes Cluster Link | Jammin' Jars | Jammin' Jars 2 | Big Bamboo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTP | 96.47% | 96.83% | 96.4% | 96.13% |
| Volatility | High | High | High | High |
| Max Win | 10,000x | 20,000x | 50,000x | 50,000x |
| Release Date | June 2022 | September 2018 | August 2021 | December 2021 |
| Grid Size | 6x9 | 8x8 | 8x8 | 6x5 |
| Free Spins | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wild Symbol | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Autoplay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theme | 80s Cassettes | Disco Fruits | Disco Fruits | Bamboo Forest |
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Overall rating
Based on 16 reviews
I found the Magnet feature to be a lot of fun and it was great for finding a win on a disconnected board. I also liked that it turned into a wild symbol, creating the possibility for further wins once the symbols had fallen into place.
There aren’t any noticeable issues with Retro Tapes.
The cluster pays system works really well with the cascading reels. Being able to find winning combos up and down the board can work well to create multiple wins if they line up perfectly.
I didn’t encounter any sub-par aspects of this game.
The game’s bonus features are abundant which is always good but I don’t like that in the free spins round you have to connect 4 or more prize symbols to receive their rewards.
I can’t think of any downsides that are worth discussing.
My favourite part was getting to play the Retro Tapes demo mode. I usually don’t like trying new types of slots but playing this version of the game allowed me to fully understand how it works. After a bit of time with the Retro Tapes free play mode I found the confidence to try it out at a real money casino.
I didn’t notice any flaws while playing for free or real money.
I really liked that the scatter symbols play a tangible part in the free spins round. The more you increase your multipliers in the base game, the bigger your multipliers are in the bonus round. This allows you to compound wins and creates the potential for huge payouts.
In my opinion, there are no areas where it could be improved.
The sheer number of bonus features available in Retro Tapes really impressed me; I counted at least 4 different mechanics that increased my winning potential which is always great to see.
I think that the game doesn’t really have any faults.
The Retro Tapes bonus buy option was by far the most used part of the slot game for me. Playing endless spins of the base game never appeals to me so I appreciate games that let you skip to the good parts. It meant that I could play short gaming sessions while still getting maximum enjoyment.
I’ve found nothing to complain about during my session.
I like that the game has a max win of 10,000x your bet as it gives you something to shoot for while playing the standard game.
There aren’t any noticeable negatives that I found while playing.
Having a bonus buy feature that costs 400x your wager is way too expensive. I don’t care what features you unlock, it’s hard to see how you could get your money back after such an investment. This high barrier to entry prices out average players who just want to enjoy the slot’s bonuses.
No parts of the game stood out to me as a positive feature.
I found that the design of the symbols were too similar and it made it hard for me to pick out whether or not I had found a match. However, on the whole I’m a fan of the retro design, particularly the music and sound effects.
No major faults can be found when playing Retro Tapes.
As a player who only has a small bankroll, I appreciated being able to play from just €0.10 a spin. This low betting limit coupled with the 96.5% RTP rate meant that I could extend my gaming session and make the most from my limited funds.
Can’t think of any criticisms of the Retro Tapes slot.
Having the instant prize symbols in the base game seems pointless as they don’t add anything to the game. That being said, even with these symbols the base game still offered a decent playing experience.
On the whole, there aren’t any real negatives to discuss.
The cascading reels were a lot of fun and I liked that you could win multiple times in the same spin.
I’m finding it challenging to think of any drawbacks.
The game’s high volatility rating stopped me from enjoying the game. I would go multiple stretches where I’d spin 10-15 times with zero wins and it really sucked the fun out of the slot.
Didn’t enjoy playing it, can’t think of any positives.
The wild symbols are undoubtedly the best part of this slot. Not only do they stay in place after finding a winning combination, allowing you to find further matches, they also have a progressive multiplier that increases the more you use it. If you’re lucky enough, you can chain together some big wins with these symbols
Can't see much room for improvement, thoroughly enjoyed my experience.
Yeah, the slot is very volatile but that’s a fair price for breathtaking features like Magnet feature and Cluster Link. And I’m not even talking about free spins with guaranteed wilds. And all these packed in a beautiful layout.
However, don’t get overexcited with the slot. It’s veeery up & down, and your bankroll can be a victim.