Hey ... great post. Thanks for your feedback on the games.

On Enchanted Unicorn ... there is a video version and a mechanical version. On the video version ... you have the potential to win very big multiple times. Lion, Unicorn, Unicorn, Unicorn, Lion --- all on the same line, will give you 5-of-a-kind Lions on 3 different lines on a 9-line bet . On the video version, there is also a treasure chest bonus. The mechanical version of the same does not have the treasure chests, so the unicorn appears more frequently. You might enjoy the action on this version of the game. I won over $900 on a 9-coin (nickel) bet this year.

I agree with everything you said about "Wheel of Fortune" ... especially the "Big Wheel". It's a big flop for IGT. They sell the casinos on it because it looks exciting.

For the "Community Bonus" games like Monopoly ... I really like them, but they are just too expensive. Also ... I find they are "buggy". I understand the multiplier needs to drop when you are betting less (to keep the mathematical payout correct) ... but I have been excluded from a game, where I was clearly playing and eligible. I don't think it is fair you lose multiplier while you are in the bonus round. The multiplier should be held while in the bonus round.

I agree that Aristocrat knows how to make an enjoyable game. TIKI TORCH is similar to SUN & MOON. Although the bonus round is difficult, and the number of spins is relatively low, the bonus round is much more generous than most --- as long as the WILDS keep coming up --- you can do very very well.

"Hot Shot" progressives- Welcome to Bally Gaming -- most of their games follow the same model. High risk ... moderate rewards. Bally machines tend to pay out moderate sized jackpots more than any other manufacturer.

As for Cascading Reels ... these were a hit for WMS Gaming ... and the latest titles are fantastic. They pop you into the bonus round after a certain threshold of cascades are hit in a single spin. On the downside, you really have to play all 20 lines to have the best experience. You are correct though -- the game feels like treading water -- unless you can get a bonus round ... and start racking up free spins. "Open the Vault" and "Kaboom" are good for this. The game "All That Glitters" is a little weaker, because the most you can win is pretty much "capped" by the values on the table. Also, it's difficult to complete many of the "settings" before you are out of the bonus.

Hope you keep up the great posts!

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\