Microgaming says ‘hasta la vista’ to dull gaming with Terminator 2, a branded slot inspired by the eponymous blockbuster that shot Arnold Schwarzenegger to international stardom in the early nineties. The software powerhouse launched this action-packed release in 2014 but the game continues to enjoy enduring popularity to this day thanks to polished graphics, decent theoretical return, and nice winning potential.
Set on a 5×3 reel grid, Terminator 2 does away with the boring ol’ paylines substituting them for the 243 ways-to-win mechanic. The number of possible winning combinations per round catapults to 1,024 in free spins mode. Also included is a lucrative T-800 Vision feature that rewards players with bonus payouts.
| Terminator 2 Slot Summary | |
 Game Provider: Microgaming |
Release Date: 2014 |
| Game Type: Video Slot |
Theme(s): Movie, Time traveling |
| Reels: 5 |
Wild Symbols: Yes |
| Rows: 5 |
Scatters: Yes |
| Paylines: 243 ways to win |
Free Spins: Yes |
| Payout/RTP: 96.62% |
Bonus Game: No |
| Volatility Level: Low |
Progressive Jackpot: No |
| Min Bet: 0.30 |
Autoplay: Yes |
| Max Bet: 30 |
Max Win: 88000x |
Terminator 2 Theme
Microgaming has done a brilliant job at capturing the essence of the blockbuster flick it was adapted from. The developers have stuck to the script by incorporating crisp, yet hauntingly dark graphics, metallic overlays, and robotic animations that perfectly encapsulate the atmosphere of James Cameron’s immensely popular movie.
The game is complete with an intense soundtrack and footage from the 1991 sci-fi film. Sarah and John Connor, Schwarzenegger’s T-800, and Robert Patrick’s T-1000 all appear as symbols across the five reels. Arnie’s iconic catchphrase ‘Hasta la vista, baby’ is also included, which we think is a nice touch. You get to hear it each time you form a winning combination with the T-800 symbols.
How Terminator 2 Compares to Other Slot Games
Microgaming boasts a comprehensive catalog of branded slots, with Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park ranking as two of its most popular games adapted from Hollywood blockbusters. Both slots were recently remastered with crisper graphics and animations, allowing for a better gaming experience as a whole.
Unlike Terminator 2, Jurassic Park uses a transparent layout that gives you a better view of the thick jungles of Isla Nublar, the fictional island you might remember from Steven Spielberg’s movie. The volatility level is slightly higher than that in Terminator 2 but the theoretical return is nearly the same at 96.67%. The 243 ways-to-win mechanic is another feature the two branded releases have in common.
- Jurassic World: Raptor Riches
- Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs
- Bridesmaids
- Highlander
- Game of Thrones
Terminator 2 Symbols and Payouts
As one would expect from a branded slot, most of the symbols players will encounter in Terminator 2 are borrowed from the movie. The low payers are the only exception as they are represented by the familiar stylized playing card suits – clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds. The payouts these card suits return are far from impressive, though, as the most you can extract from them amounts to 3.33 times your stake.
The leading characters from the movie are used for the high payers. Out of those, Arni’s T-800 returns the highest payouts, awarding 1, 5, and 26.66 times your bet for three, four, and five matches. John Conner can enrich you with up to 16.66 times the bet for five-of-a-kind, followed by T-1000 that returns 13.33 times the bet for the same number of aligned symbols.
The most you can get from Sarah Connor is 10 times your wager. Watch out for the scattered time spheres as five of them award 100 times the stake, the highest payout in the base game. Winning combinations begin from the leftmost to the rightmost reel.
| Terminator 2 Combinations and Payouts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbols | 2 Matches | 3 Matches | 4 Matches | 5 Matches |
 Time Sphere |
1 | x2 | x10 | x100 |
 T2 Wild |
– | x1.66 | x10 | x50 |
 T-800 |
– | x1 | x5 | x26.66 |
 John Connor |
– | x0.66 | x2 | x16.66 |
 T-1000 |
– | x0.50 | x1.66 | x13.33 |
 Sarah Connor |
– | x0.40 | x1.50 | x10 |
 Terminator |
– | x0.33 | x1.33 | x6.66 |
 Spades |
– | x0.23 | x1 | x3.33 |
 Hearts |
– | x0.23 | x1 | x3.33 |
 Diamonds |
– | x0.16 | x0.50 | x1.66 |
 Clubs |
– | x0.16 | x0.50 | x1.66 |
Bonus Features Overview
Terminator 2 does not offer a bonus game but compensates for this omission with a special round of free spins that plays on an expanded layout, allowing for a greater number of possible winning ways. Additionally, players will benefit from the inclusion of a second, randomly triggered feature that can award instant cash prizes on any losing spin. Wilds and scatters are also featured prominently on the five reels.
Wild and Scatter Symbols
The time sphere plays a central role both in this branded slot and the movie that inspired it. It acts as a scatter that awards the highest payouts in the game. You get paid as long as two spheres land in any position on the reels. Additionally, three or more scatters unlock the free spins feature in Terminator 2. The T2 logo is wild and replaces all symbols except the scatter and the T-1000 icon during free spins.
Random Feature
The T-800 Vision feature gives you a second chance of winning as it can activate randomly after any losing spin. Once that happens, the T-800 starts scanning the five reels looking for any high-value character symbols. All targeted symbols award bonus payouts. The T-800 is significant in yet another way – when active, it can trigger the free spins round with a single scatter only.
Free Spins
To enter the free spins feature, you must land at least three time-sphere scatters anywhere on the five reels. Another way to trigger the round is by landing one scattered sphere when the T-800 feature is active. Either way, you get to play 10 rounds at no cost.
The feature unfolds on a larger reel grid that provides extra opportunities to pocket payouts, giving you up to 1,024 possible winning ways per spin. Keep your eyes peeled for the T-1000 during your bonus rounds as his symbol can transform into any other character to form the best possible winning combos. The only downside here is that retriggering the free spins is not an option.
Pros & Cons of Terminator 2
- The slot is a perfect fit for fans of the Terminator franchise
- The expanded layout during free spins is pretty cool
- The T-800 random feature gives you a second chance at winning
- Maximum bets are on the low side of the spectrum
- A pick-me bonus game would have been nice
- Non-fans of the franchise are unlikely to appreciate the dark atmosphere of this slot
Terminator 2 FAQs
Do I have to download anything to play Terminator 2?
This action-packed slot from Microgaming does not require you to download any additional software. Built in HTML5, the game is playable across all portable and desktop devices, including smartphones and tablets that run on iOS or Android. Just load the slot in an up-to-date browser and you are good to go.
Is depositing a requirement to play this branded slot?
Not necessarily. Most online casinos offer demo versions of the game, allowing you to give it a good test drive without risking any money. In the worst-case scenario, you can opt in for a no-deposit bonus and use it to try out this thrilling slot for free. Just make sure you familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions before you opt in for any offer.
Is there anything I can do to improve my winning chances in Terminator 2?
Unfortunately, there is no sure-proof way to boost your winning odds in Terminator 2. The game runs on a random number generator that ensures the outcomes of all spins are unbiased and absolutely unpredictable.