Release the Kraken Slot Review: Deep Sea Treasures for Irish Punters

Introduction

Diving into the depths of the ocean has never been more rewarding than with Release the Kraken, a flagship title from Pragmatic Play that has maintained its "legendary" status in Ireland well into 2026. While many slots come and go, this aquatic adventure remains a staple at top-tier Irish casinos like Paddy Power and Bet365. It strikes a perfect balance between a playful, cartoonish aesthetic and the high-tension, high-volatility gameplay that seasoned punters in Dublin and beyond crave. For many, it represents the gold standard of "pick-and-win" mechanics blended with modern video slot features.

For the average Irish player, the appeal lies in the sheer variety of base-game modifiers and the interactive nature of the bonus rounds. Unlike many modern slots that feel like you’re just a passive observer, Release the Kraken asks you to make choices—whether it’s picking tentacles in the base game or selecting treasure chests to build your free spins round. This level of engagement is a hallmark of Pragmatic Play’s design philosophy, making every session feel like a unique mission to uncover sunken wealth. It’s a game that respects the player's agency, providing a sense of participation that is often missing in more linear slot machines.

In the current 2026 regulatory landscape, where the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) ensures the highest standards of fairness, Release the Kraken stands out as a reliable and transparent choice. Its math model is audited, and its 96.50% RTP is among the most competitive you’ll find for a high-potential video slot. Whether you’re a casual player looking for a bit of a "flutter" on a Saturday afternoon or a serious enthusiast chasing that elusive 10,000x win, this game provides the technical depth and entertainment value to justify every spin of the reels.

As we explore this underwater kingdom, we’ll break down the specific mechanics that can turn a standard session into a "grand" payday. From the Infectious Kraken Wilds that spread across the reels like wildfire to the Roaming Wilds in the free spins that hunt down the biggest wins, there is always something lurking beneath the surface. With the widespread adoption of Revolut for near-instant EUR transactions in Irish casinos, getting your hands on those deep-sea winnings has never been faster or more secure. The integration of modern banking with classic slot thrills is a major win for the local community.

The production quality remains top-notch even years after its original release, proving that good design is timeless. The animations of the smiling sharks, wise turtles, and goofy tropical fish are smooth and expressive, creating an atmosphere that is both lighthearted and high-stakes. The shift in tone when the Kraken appears—marked by a more intense orchestral score and a darkening of the water—perfectly captures the drama of a big win potential. It’s a polished, professional, and highly addictive experience that continues to define the "underwater" genre in the Irish iGaming market today.

Furthermore, the game serves as a bridge between classic 20-line slots and the more complex Megaways systems. By offering 20 lines in the base game and 40 in the bonus, it allows players to experience the best of both worlds without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a "comfort" slot for many—a game you return to because you know its mechanics inside out, yet it still manages to surprise you with a massive random hit. For the Irish punter, the Kraken isn't just a myth; it's a potential source of a life-changing "lump" of cash.

Release the Kraken Overview

Visually, Release the Kraken is a masterclass in thematic consistency and vibrant art direction. The game is set against a stunning coral reef backdrop, filled with animated sea life, bubbling currents, and shifting sunbeams that make the 5x4 grid feel truly alive. The symbols are a mix of friendly aquatic characters, including a smirking shark, a stoic turtle, and various tropical fish, alongside the standard card royals which have been given a watery makeover. It’s a bright, welcoming environment that hides the high-volatility "beast" that is the Kraken itself.

The grid features 20 fixed paylines during the base game, but one of the game's cleverest tricks is that this doubles to 40 paylines during the free spins round. This effectively doubles your chances of connecting symbols during the most profitable part of the game, a feature that many players overlook until they see the wins stacking up. The Kraken logo acts as the highest-paying regular symbol, and the "Wild" bubbles can substitute for everything except the special bonus scatters. It’s a layout that is remarkably easy to read, even when the screen becomes crowded with modifiers and infectious symbols.

Technically, the game is flawlessly optimized for the modern Irish player who demands speed and reliability. In 2026, mobile-first gaming is the absolute norm, and Release the Kraken runs perfectly on both iOS and Android via dedicated casino apps or standard mobile browsers. Whether you’re on a 5G connection in the middle of Cork or using the Wi-Fi in a quiet pub in Galway, the game loads quickly and handles the complex "chest pick" transitions without a hint of lag. Pragmatic Play’s "one-size-fits-all" optimization ensures that the experience is premium regardless of your device’s price point.

The user interface is the classic, intuitive Pragmatic Play design that most Irish punters will be instantly familiar with. You have clear controls for bet adjustment (ranging from €0.20 to €100), a highly customizable Autoplay feature with loss limits, and a "Quick Spin" mode for those who prefer a faster pace. All values are displayed in EUR, ensuring a seamless experience for local players. The paytable is always just a click away, providing clear information on symbol values, feature triggers, and the specific mechanics of the roaming wilds.

One of the standout elements of the overview is the "Random Spin" trigger which can occur on any base game spin. At any moment, three tentacles can appear at the bottom of the screen, prompting you to "Pick One" of the signs they hold. This is the core of the Kraken’s power, offering immediate access to Wild modifiers that can salvage a dry session or turn a mediocre spin into a massive win. It’s this unpredictability—the feeling that a massive hit is just one tentacle away—that keeps Irish punters engaged during the base game "grind."

The game also features a high level of "replayability" due to the different bonus types available. You might trigger the Sunken Treasure pick-em bonus five times in a row, only to finally land the Roaming Kraken Free Spins and see the true potential of the game. This variety ensures that no two sessions feel exactly the same. For the Irish player who values entertainment as much as payout potential, Release the Kraken offers a deep-sea playground that is consistently rewarding and visually engaging.

Slot Details Table:

RTP, Volatility & Max Win

The mathematical profile of Release the Kraken is designed for the thrill-seeker and the value-hunter alike. The 96.50% RTP (Return to Player) is significantly above the industry average of 96%, offering a theoretical house edge of only 3.5%. For the Irish punter, this represents excellent long-term value, as it means more of your EUR stakes are returned over time compared to lower-RTP titles. However, it is essential to respect the High Volatility rating (5/5). This isn't a game that pays out small amounts constantly; it’s a game of "peaks," where you might go through several quiet spins before a bonus round delivers a significant "lump" of cash.

The maximum win is capped at 10,000x your total stake, which is a formidable number even by 2026 standards. For a player at the €100 max bet limit, this represents a potential €1,000,000 jackpot. Even for those playing at a more modest €1 per spin, the chance to land €10,000 is a compelling reason to dive deep into the Kraken's lair. This 10,000x cap is notably higher than the 5,000x limit often seen in newer Pragmatic sequels, which is a major reason why many savvy Irish players still prefer the original 2020 version over its successors.

Volatility of this level requires a disciplined approach to bankroll management and a certain level of emotional resilience. Experienced Irish punters often suggest a "100-spin buffer" as a minimum, ensuring your balance can weather the dry spells until the Kraken decides to show its face. The game’s math is honest and audited, but it can be punishing if you don't manage your EUR stakes properly. The high RTP ensures that the potential is always there, but it’s concentrated in the features rather than the base-game line wins, making the "chase" for the bonus the central focus of the gameplay.

In the 2026 market, where transparency is mandated by the GRAI, Release the Kraken’s stats are openly displayed and certified by third-party testing agencies like eCOGRA. You can play with confidence knowing that the Random Number Generator (RNG) is truly random and that every player has the same chance of hitting the big one. The 10,000x win is, of course, a rare event—usually requiring a maxed-out multiplier and a screen full of roaming wilds during the free spins—but the game provides plenty of mid-range "Big Wins" in the 100x to 500x bracket to keep the momentum going.

Managing your expectations is key to enjoying high-variance slots. While the smiling sea creatures are friendly, the Kraken itself is a volatile beast that doesn't give up its gold easily. The base game hit frequency is balanced to provide enough small wins to keep the session alive, but the real "gold" is hidden in the treasure chests and the roaming wilds. For the Irish player who enjoys the "high-risk, high-reward" style of play, Release the Kraken is one of the most honest and exciting examples of the genre available today.

Another aspect of the volatility is how it manifests in the different bonuses. The Sunken Treasure pick-em bonus is generally a lower-variance affair, offering smaller but more frequent cash prizes. In contrast, the Roaming Kraken Free Spins is the "all-or-nothing" mode where the multipliers can snowball into something truly spectacular. Knowing which bonus you're aiming for—and understanding the risks involved in each—is the mark of a sophisticated player. Release the Kraken rewards those who understand its rhythms.

How to Play Release the Kraken

Getting started with Release the Kraken is a "grand" and simple process that even a complete beginner can master in seconds. Once the game loads at your chosen Irish casino, your first step is to set your bet. Using the plus and minus buttons next to the spin icon, you can adjust your stake from a minimum of €0.20 up to a maximum of €100. This wide range makes the game accessible to everyone, from the casual "penny" player looking for some fun to the serious high roller looking for that million-euro payout. All adjustments are clear and reflected instantly in your total bet display.

The game features 5 reels and 4 rows with 20 fixed paylines in the base game. To secure a win, you need to match three or more symbols on a payline from left to right, starting from the first reel. The Kraken Wild symbol is your best friend here, as it substitutes for all regular symbols and offers the highest payout of 25x your bet for five of a kind. The symbols are easy to distinguish, with the premium sea creatures popping clearly against the blue water and the royal card symbols serving as the lower-tier fillers. It’s a clean and efficient layout that avoids unnecessary clutter.

For those who prefer a more hands-off experience or want to see the "math" play out over a longer session, the Autoplay function is highly customizable. You can set it for up to 1,000 spins and include specific stop limits based on your balance or single win amounts. This is particularly useful in 2026 for Irish players who want to stick to a strict responsible gambling budget while enjoying the deep-sea visuals. The "Turbo Spin" and "Spacebar to Spin" options are also available for desktop users who want to speed up the action and skip the shorter animations.

The game uses a "split scatter" system to trigger its main bonuses, which adds a layer of tension to almost every spin. You need to land the "Ship Bonus" symbol on reels 1 and 3, along with one of two different trigger symbols on reel 5: the "Chest Bonus" symbol (for the Sunken Treasure round) or the "Free Spins" symbol (for the Roaming Kraken round). This mechanic adds a palpable layer of anticipation as the fifth reel slows down for a "near-miss" animation—a classic Pragmatic Play move that never fails to get the heart racing for Irish punters.

Mobile play is where this slot truly shines in 2026, as the interface has been rebuilt from the ground up for touchscreens. The layout is perfectly optimized for both vertical and horizontal play on Irish smartphones, with the spin button positioned perfectly for thumb-play. The "Choose Your Chest" sequences are highly tactile, making you feel like you’re actually reaching into the ocean to grab your prize. Whether you’re repping the Kraken on a Dublin bus or relaxing at home in the countryside, the experience is seamless, fast, and visually stunning.

If you ever need to check the paytable or understand a specific modifier in the middle of a session, the "i" button is always available and very easy to read. It provides a detailed breakdown of the values for every symbol at your current stake, as well as a clear explanation of how the Locking Wilds, Infectious Wilds, and Colossal Wilds function. Knowledge is power in the deep sea, and understanding how the multipliers stack in the free spins round is the first step toward a successful and enjoyable session.

Base Game Modifiers: The Kraken’s Tentacles

The base game of Release the Kraken is far from a "grind" thanks to the random modifiers that can trigger on any spin. This is the "secret sauce" that keeps the game engaging even when you aren't hitting the main bonus rounds. At any time, the Kraken can emerge from the depths and offer you three floating signs held by its tentacles. Your choice will determine which of the three features is applied to the current spin, adding a "pick-em" element to the base game that Irish players find highly entertaining.

Kraken Locking Wilds

This is a "pick and win" modifier that continues as long as you make the right choices. The reels keep spinning while you are presented with several chests that can reveal:

• More Wilds: Adds extra Kraken Wilds to the grid for the current spin.
• Continue Spinning: Keeps the reels going for another chance at adding Wilds.
• All Wins x2 & Collect: Multiplies your current win by two and ends the feature.
• Collect: Ends the feature and pays out your current win. For many Irish punters, this is the most lucrative random modifier because it allows for a massive accumulation of Wilds on the screen before the spin finally stops, often leading to multiple 5-of-a-kind connections.

Infectious Kraken Wilds

When this modifier is selected, the Kraken places at least one Infectious Wild symbol on the reels. This special Wild then "infects" all adjacent symbols (horizontally and vertically), turning them into Wilds as well. If you land this in the middle of the grid, it can create a massive cluster of Wilds, leading to multiple 5-of-a-kind connections across the 20 paylines. It’s a spectacular sight and one of the quickest ways to hit a "Big Win" in the base game without ever leaving the standard reels. It’s particularly powerful when combined with high-value symbols.

Colossal Kraken Wilds

This is the "guaranteed win" modifier of the bunch, and it’s always a welcome sight. The Kraken will drop a giant 3x4 Wild symbol onto the reels. Because of its massive size, it is virtually guaranteed to form multiple winning lines, especially if it lands on the first three or four reels. While it doesn't offer the multiplier potential of the Locking Wilds, its reliability makes it a favorite for players who want a steady boost to their EUR balance. It’s the visual highlight of the base game, filling the screen with the Kraken’s imposing presence.

These modifiers are essential for maintaining your bankroll. In high-volatility slots, the base game can often feel like a slow drain, but Release the Kraken’s tentacles ensure that there’s always a chance for a sudden, massive payout. This keeps the "fever" of the game alive and ensures that the player remains engaged during the wait for the free spins. For the Irish punter, these random triggers are the "grand" moments that make the Kraken such a beloved character in the Pragmatic Play universe.

Bonus Games: Chests and Spins

Sunken Treasure Bonus

Triggered by the Chest scatter on reel 5 along with the bonus symbols on reels 1 and 3, this is a classic "pick-em" game that transports you to a separate screen filled with treasure chests. You are presented with three chests, each containing a cash prize in EUR. You keep picking and accumulating money until you hit a "Collect" sign. It’s a lower-variance bonus compared to the free spins, often providing a nice 20x to 60x stake return. While it’s not the path to the 10,000x max win, it’s a perfect way to pad your bankroll and extend your session while hunting for the main event.

Roaming Kraken Free Spins

This is where the true power of the Kraken is unleashed and where the 10,000x potential actually lives. Triggered by the Free Spins scatter on reel 5, the round begins with a unique pick-and-win pre-game. You are presented with a screen of treasure chests and must pick them to accumulate free spins (up to 12) until you hit a "Collect." This interactive start ensures that every bonus round feels different and gives you a sense of control over your destiny. Once the spins begin, the game changes dramatically:

• 40 Paylines: The grid expands vertically, doubling your ways to win for the entire round.
• Roaming Wilds: Every Wild that lands on the reels stays on the grid for the remainder of the bonus. It "roams" to a random new position on every spin.
• Progressive Multiplier: Each Roaming Wild also increases the total win multiplier for the round by +1. The goal for any Irish player is to land as many Wilds as possible in the first few spins. If you can build up to a 10x or 15x multiplier with 6 or 7 roaming Wilds, every single spin becomes a potential "Mega Win" that can completely transform your EUR balance.

Strategies for the Bonus Round

The Roaming Kraken Free Spins is a masterpiece of tension. Because the multiplier is progressive and the Wilds are sticky (but moving), the potential for a massive payout grows with every spin. Irish punters often look for the "snowball effect"—where a few early Wilds set the stage for a spectacular finish. It’s this escalating excitement that makes the Kraken bonus one of the most talked-about features in Irish gambling forums. It’s not just about the win; it’s about the journey of building that multiplier and watching the roaming wilds hunt for the premium symbols.

Where to Play in Ireland (2026)

Choosing a safe and reputable "saloon" to play Release the Kraken is just as important as the game itself. In 2026, the Irish market is highly regulated, and you should only ever play at casinos that hold a valid GRAI or MGA license. This ensures that the 96.50% RTP is being delivered fairly and that your personal data and EUR funds are protected. Here are our top three picks for playing this Pragmatic Play masterpiece in Ireland today.

Paddy Power Games

Paddy Power is an Irish institution and arguably the best place to play Release the Kraken. They have fully embraced the 2026 GRAI regulations and offer a safe, transparent environment with excellent responsible gambling tools. Their Revolut integration is the best in the business—withdrawals of your deep-sea loot are often processed and in your account in under an hour. Plus, they frequently include Kraken in their "Daily Drop & Wins" promotions, adding even more value to your spins.

LeoVegas Ireland

If you prefer playing on your mobile while on the move, LeoVegas is the "King of Mobile Casino" for a reason. Their platform is award-winning and provides the smoothest possible experience for the Kraken’s heavy animations and transitions. They offer a very competitive welcome package in EUR and have a dedicated Irish support team that understands the local market perfectly. Their mobile app is fast, secure, and perfectly optimized for high-intensity slots like this one.

Bet365 Ireland

Bet365 is a global powerhouse that offers a very reliable and professional service for Irish punters. They are known for their massive game library and their "no-nonsense" approach to payouts and customer service. If you’re a high roller chasing the €1M max win on Release the Kraken, Bet365 is a safe, secure, and highly trusted environment with world-class security. Their commitment to player safety and fair play makes them a top choice in the 2026 landscape.

FAQ

What is the RTP of Release the Kraken? The standard RTP is 96.50%, which is well above the industry average of 96% for video slots. This offers great theoretical value for Irish players, but always check the game info at your chosen casino to ensure you’re on the high-payout version, as some sites may offer lower variants.

What is the maximum win in EUR? The maximum possible win is 10,000x your stake. If you are playing at the maximum bet of €100, this would result in a massive €1,000,000 payout. For a €1 bet, the max win is €10,000, which is still a "grand" result for any punter.

How do Roaming Wilds work in the free spins? During the Roaming Kraken Free Spins, every Wild symbol that lands remains on the reels for the rest of the bonus round. It moves to a new random position on every spin. Furthermore, each new Wild that lands increases the total win multiplier for the round by +1.

Can I play Release the Kraken on mobile in Ireland? Yes, absolutely. Release the Kraken is fully optimized for all modern mobile devices. It works perfectly on Android and iOS via any standard mobile browser or through dedicated Irish casino apps. The touch interface is highly responsive and tactile.

Is Revolut accepted for deposits and withdrawals? Yes, in 2026, most top-tier Irish casinos like Paddy Power, LeoVegas, and Bet365 fully support Revolut for instant EUR deposits and extremely fast withdrawals. It is the preferred method for many local players due to its security and speed.

How do I trigger the main bonus features? You need to land the "Ship Bonus" symbol on reels 1 and 3, and then land either the "Chest Bonus" scatter (for Sunken Treasure) or the "Free Spins" scatter (for Roaming Kraken) on reel 5. This "split trigger" adds significant tension to the final reel.

What is the "Infectious Wild" modifier? When triggered randomly in the base game, the Kraken places an Infectious Wild on the reels. This Wild then "infects" all adjacent symbols (up, down, left, right), turning them into Wilds as well. This can create massive clusters of Wilds for big payouts.

Is Release the Kraken a high volatility slot? Yes, Pragmatic Play rates it as High Volatility (5/5). This means wins can be infrequent, but they have the potential to be much larger when the bonus features or random modifiers trigger. It requires a patient bankroll and a "grand" strategy.

Does the game have more paylines in the bonus? Yes, the game expands from 20 paylines in the base game to 40 paylines during the Roaming Kraken Free Spins round. This effectively doubles your chances of hitting winning combinations on every free spin.

Who is the software provider for this game? The game is developed by Pragmatic Play, one of the most respected and popular software providers in the world. They are famous for hits like Wolf Gold, The Dog House, and the Big Bass Bonanza series, all of which are massive in Ireland.