Fantasma Games is a rather new developer of pokies and casino games, but considering how great and unique Desert Shark looks – we should be expecting more of them in the future. This game has a 5×4 reel set up, with 40 fixed paylines; as a result, the bet levels start from as low as $0.20 – $50 per spin.
Lucky players can win up to 16,794x their bet in Desert Shark, while the bonus round pays 46.71x the bet level on average. As one would expect from the above, the volatility of this slot is very high, and the hit frequency rather low, standing at 1/5 (19.85%). Want to learn more about this Fantasma Games production? Keep reading the full review of Desert Shark by Pokies Bet.
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Theme & Design
The graphics and design of Desert Shark is very detailed, equally satisfying to a 3D movie. All symbols are related to its Pirate theme, with distinct coins, a pirate, a shark, and a compass being some of the symbols.
These appear on a brown background, which resembles a treasure map, fitting greatly with the game theme. Desert Shark does look splendid on desktop computers, but it is as good when played on mobile portrait mode.
How to Play Desert Shark Slot
After deciding which is the best Aussie site from our page to register and play Desert Shark, you will need to do the following to start wagering real cash or free money:
- Set the bet levels by clicking on the hamburger icon, using the (+) and (-) buttons.
- Activate 1 – 40 paylines as you see fit, keeping in mind that they will affect the total bet value.
- Wins are formed from left to the right, as long as 3 identical symbols land on an active payline, or 2x and at least one wild.
Scatters pay anywhere on the reels, while there are a few extra wilds to expect in the free spins round of Desert Shark.
Desert Shark Free Spins & Bonus Features
Most of the higher wins are likely to come when the Desert Shark free spins round has been activated.
- Free Spins – 3 or more scatter symbols initiate the free spins round available in Desert Shark.
- Swim Swim Feature – 2 or more Swim Wild symbols in the base game activate this feature, or 1 during the free spins bonus round. All scatter symbols are changing to actual wilds when this feature is active, while the original wilds also carry a 2x multiplier.
- Dynamite Wilds – from 1 to 6 dynamite wilds are randomly appearing in the first and the third reel during the Desert Shark free spins round. This wild upgrades all other symbols on the same reel, and also operates as a wild.
Stats & Mechanics of this Slots Game
Desert Shark is indeed a very modern slot game, offering a diverse range of winning opportunities both in the base game, but also during the bonus round. However, due to the low hit rate and the very high volatility – players might have to wait for a while to receive some big wins. Therefore, we recommend this game to high rollers mostly.
Also, the range of bonus symbols might disrupt various potential wins during the bonus game, but it does indeed keep the players on edge. The RTP of this slot could be higher, but 96.33% positions Desert Shark in an average position.
| Desert Shark | Statistics |
| Return to Player (RTP) | 96.33% |
| Bet Levels | $0.20 – $50 per spin |
| Volatility/Variance | 5/5 (Very High) |
| In-Game Bonuses | Multipliers, Free Spins, Wilds (3x), Symbol Upgrade. |
| Demo Play Available? | No |
| Theme | Pirate, Animal, Sharks. |
Our Verdict
Fantasma Games has indeed done a great job with Desert Shark. It is a unique game, not looking like anything we have seen so far. Most of the adrenaline peaks are likely to come from the combination of the 3 wilds during the free spins round, which can indeed payout massively. We do not recommend this game to light-hearted players with limited budgets though, mostly due to its high volatility and low hit rate.
Desert Shark FAQs
Interested to find out more about Desert Shark slot? Check out our FAQs section below.
What is the variance of Desert Shark slot?
Desert Shark has a very high volatility, which means that the wins will be rather high, but might take quite a while to form.
Does Desert Shark has a jackpot?
This Fantasma Games slot does not offer a progressive jackpot, but Desert Shark has a maximum payout of $839,700, which is equally large as progressive pokies.
What is the RTP of Desert Shark?
The return of Desert Shark stands at 96.33%, as calculated over 1,000,000 spins.
Where can I play Desert Shark slots?
Not all the best online casinos offer Desert Shark, as Fantasma Games is a rather new pokies apps software provider. Still, on this page you can find some online casinos that provide access to this top-rated slot.
Can I play Desert Shark on mobile?
One of the best things about Desert Shark, is that it is a full-fledged mobile pokies game, available on every single iOS & Android smartphone and tablet. It can even be played on Portrait mode.
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
