Play’n GO brings back the delightfully doomed Charlie in Charlie Chance XreelZ, a 2021 release that updates the familiar black-and-white cartoon aesthetic. This high-volatility slot expands to a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 243 ways to win. In our Charlie Chance XreelZ slot review, we will talk about the innovative XreelZ mechanic that can give you multipliers of up to 25x! The original game was just called Charlie Chance which introduced us to this unlucky lad. After that game, Charlie “did it again” in Charlie Chance in Hell to Pay and then, he “really did it again” in Charlie Chance and the Curse of Cleopatra. These are the sequels of the base game. Now, the original game has likely been retired by Play’n GO and its flashier counterpart, XreelZ, which we are reviewing today, has replaced that one with better gameplay. If you were a fan of the Charlie Chance in Hell to Pay slot, this sequel shakes things up significantly with bigger payouts, sharper graphics, and a potential top prize of a whopping 20,000x your stake—enough to tempt even the most cautious devil.
Charlie Chance XreelZ lays out its 5-reel, 3-row set-up in a format utilising 243 ways to win, rather than the traditional fixed paylines. To form winning combinations, you simply need to land three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. Stakes begin at £0.10 per spin, climbing to £100, making this game flexible enough.
The default RTP stands at 96.25%, though certain operators may opt for variations set lower. Volatility rates a 9/10 for this slot game, meaning you have scope for rare yet potentially very substantial hits if luck is on your side. You can land wins worth up to a massive 20,000x your stake—a considerable leap from the original Charlie Chance slot. High multipliers in the free spins and XreelZ mechanic drive this lofty figure.
We have put together a list of the best online slot sites to play this slot on:
Play’n Go attempts to recreate 1930s-style animation, reminiscent of classic black-and-white cartoons. The reels are set in an underworld reminiscent of vintage Fleischer Studios artwork, complete with floating devils, pitchforks, and comedic skeleton imagery. Fittingly, the soundtrack features old jazz or swing to give each spin a playful, retro vibe.
Though largely monochromatic, the slot does occasionally inject colour into certain icons and fiery special effects as the battle between Charlie and his devilish foil unfolds.
Eight paying symbols occupy the reels. They are divided into four low-paying suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades), followed by three mid-tier icons (imps, bells, “666”), and one top-tier symbol—Charlie Chance himself. A Wild symbol (labelled “Wild” in stylised text) shares the top pay with Charlie, while the devilish Scatter triggers the bonus features.
Below is a simplified paytable:
Diamonds
5x = 0.4x / 4x = 0.2x / 3x = 0.1x
Clubs
5x = 0.4x / 4x = 0.2x / 3x = 0.1x
Spades
5x = 0.5x / 4x = 0.3x / 3x = 0.2x
Hearts
5x = 0.5x / 4x = 0.3x / 3x = 0.2x
666
5x = 1x / 4x = 0.6x / 3x = 0.4x
Bells
5x = 1.5x / 4x = 0.8x / 3x = 0.5x
Imps
5x = 2x / 4x = 1x / 3x = 0.6x
Charlie Chance
5x = 20x / 4x = 10x / 3x = 2x
Wild
5x = 20x / 4x = 10x / 3x = 2x
On mobile, the game runs optimally. Over the last few iterations in the franchise, Play’n GO has really polished the game a lot. XreelZ offers crisp graphics and a lightweight game design for the ideal mobile experience. The reels take centre stage when you are playing and all controls are stashed away neatly inside menus. Everything from adjusting your bet size to spinning the reels and interacting with the bonus rounds is super smooth on all mobile devices and browsers.
Charlie Chance XreelZ from Play’n GO might have an old-school black-and-white look, but it comes loaded with modern twists. Most of the excitement is thanks to the XreelZ mechanic that sprinkles multipliers on your spins whenever a Wild is involved in forming a winning payline. On top of that, the game offers both a Second Chance Respin feature and three different free spins modes, each with a bigger multiplier range than the last.
This is an innovative feature by Play’n GO. Whether it is a hit or a miss is quite arguable. What is certain is that it is certainly interesting. The XreelZ feature activates any time a Wild symbol forms part of a winning combination.
A horizontal reel above the main grid spins to reveal a multiplier—up to x5 in the base game—that applies to the highlighted reel’s payouts. If multiple winning lines stem from that reel, each gets boosted by the shown multiplier. It is a simple, powerful way to supercharge your wins, especially with larger-value symbols.
Landing two or more devil Scatters on the reels will trigger the Second Chance Respin. All reels containing scatters remain locked, while the others spin again.
The idea is to pick up additional scatters—each new one triggers yet another respin. If you end up with three, four, or five Scatters, you upgrade to the free spins round. Even if you do not quite get enough Scatters, the feature can yield some nice smaller wins, giving an extra shot at ramping up your bankroll without having to rely on standard spins alone.
Gather three, four, or five devil Scatters (either outright or via respins). The more Scatters, the better the initial free spins mode you unlock:
The XreelZ mechanic applies on every spin during the free spins round.
Then I found myself interested in the XreelZ mechanic—any time a wild helped complete a win, my pulse quickened at the sight of those creeping multipliers. Charlie’s charm lies in reminding you of a 1930s cartoon hero who almost bungles everything before waltzing off unscathed.
The cranked volatility (9 out of 10) might leave you sweating, but it also injects a sense of electric excitement, especially when you stumble into the bigger free spins modes. Sure, the game lacks the comedic animations I adored from the first Charlie Chance title, but the upped potential of 20,000x more than compensates.
Rating: 8 (Very Good)
I am giving Charlie Chance XreelZ a commendable 8, as it blends style, risk, and rewards with surprising finesse. There is real tension when the reels start whirring and you see a Wild land—what multiplier is coming next? Meanwhile, the retro cartoon aesthetic is a breath of fresh air among so many futuristic or ancient-themed slots. While it might be too volatile for players seeking steady, smaller wins, if you are up for the hellish spin, you have a shot at devilishly big payouts.
These are some common questions about Charlie Chance XreelZ.