There’s nothing quite like seeing a herd of wildlife traipse across the savannah, and if you’ve been around the casino long enough, you’re bound to hear a very familiar cry – “BUFFALOO!”
Aristocrat’s Buffalo slot series has become such a fan-favorite that the company has created countless variants. From the undeniably popular Buffalo Gold to newer options like Buffalo Link and Wild Wild Buffalo, I’m taking you on a deep dive through this slot machine’s history over the years.
Looking to indulge in a few rounds of Buffalo themed slots online? I’ve written an article with my top five favorite online Buffalo slots for players who just can’t get enough of the big wins, massive bonuses, free spins, and gold-plated graphics offered by the original.
Let’s get started with where it all began: Buffalo!
Buffalo (2008)
The original Buffalo slot game skyrocketed to popularity with insane hits and equally massive dry spells, but one thing remains certain – this machine’s volatility can lead to a great day or a terrible night at the casino.
With bet sizes ranging from $0.40 – $4/spin, it shouldn’t do too much damage if you get unlucky.
The action takes place on an unassuming 4×5 grid, but 1,024 paylines lie beneath the surface. Buffalo, wolves, tigers, elk, and moose overlook the sunset for a gorgeous view, but the reels become even more beautiful if you manage to land three, four, or five golden dollar symbols.
Seeing this combination appear activates a bonus game featuring eight, 15 or 20 Booster Spins. If you get two or more coins during the bonus game, you’ll receive extra spins. It’s even possible to land 2x or 3x wild multipliers that can enhance your payouts even further!
Cash Express Gold Class Buffalo (2013)
Cash Express Gold Class Buffalo takes users on a three-reel journey to jumbo jackpots. While it has all the flavoring you’d expect from a Buffalo-style machine, it operates on Luxury Line rules.
Cash Express differs from the base game with a multiplier wheel that occupies the upper portion of the screen. If triggered at random, it multiplies your latest win by 2x, 3x, 5x, or 10x.
Watching three freight trains appear on the 3 x 3 grid unlocks a sea of locomotives that can drop unforeseen prizes straight into your bankroll. Of course, if you get lucky enough to hit three gold Jackpot symbols in a line, you’ll skip straight to the machine’s top prize.
Buffalo Gold (2013)
Buffalo Gold is one of the few sequel machines that’s managed to outshine its predecessor. For that, we’re incredibly grateful. Buffalo Gold utilizes the same 5 x 4 grid mechanics, all ways pays format, and free spin re-triggers that made the original feel larger-than-life across Las Vegas.
As for some notable changes, the minimum bet limit is enhanced from $0.40 to $0.60. It’s also possible to trigger 2x or 3x multipliers during the base game and free spins round. The original machine only added those multipliers with your free spins, so there’s more opportunity to win.
Just like the name suggests, Buffalo Gold’s primary draw is your ability to collect golden buffalo heads. If you collect fifteen gold heads during the bonus, all premium animal symbols turn into buffalo symbols. Without going into too much detail, this brings out the game’s full win potential.
Buffalo Grand (2015)
Buffalo Grand enhances the thrill of the savannah (and builds upon Buffalo Gold) with a bonus wheel that can award free spins or any of four progressive jackpots. Unlike Buffalo Gold and its predecessors, Buffalo Grand includes Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand prizes that climb over time.
It keeps the 2x – 10x Bonus Wheel and unlimited free spins potential that made Buffalo Gold a smash-hit. If you’re looking for a game with a bigger screen and the potential for reel expansion, Buffalo Grand offers all the accoutrements of the classic with a few baked-in twists and turns.
Buffalo Diamond (2018)
In celebration of the original Buffalo slot’s 10th anniversary, Aristocrat opted to release Buffalo Diamond. Unlike previous variants of the game, Buffalo Diamond utilizes a 4-5-6-5-4 reel array that boosts the number of available paylines from 1,024 to 2,400 on every spin.
In addition to enhancing potential win combinations and including 4K graphics for the first time in the game’s history, Buffalo Diamond panders to high rollers by offering a progressive jackpot worth at least $500,000.
But the primary differentiator here is just how many free games you can get. Spinning the bonus wheel gives you a chance to collect 49 free games with a 4x multiplier attached to all your wins.
You could also win the Grand Jackpot, but you have to bet the maximum in order to be eligible.
Buffalo Chief (2020)
Buffalo Chief builds on the massive jackpot potential of Buffalo Diamond and Buffalo Grand with 3,456 ways to win across a 4-6-6-6-4 reel matrix. However, it gets rid of the Mini Jackpot found in Buffalo Diamond. Players spin for a denomination-based Minor/Major and progressive Grand.
Just like the original game, landing three gold coins triggers a free spins round. The difference is subtle but noticeable if you’re lucky enough to land wild symbols on the second, third, and fourth reels during a bonus. Instead of your standard 2x or 3x multiplier, you can win up to 27x the bet.
If you buy the bonus, there’s a chance to trigger the Buffalo Chief Stampede feature at random. This feature expands the middle three reels to occupy ten spaces instead of six, boosting your available number of paylines from 3,456 all the way up to 16,000.
Buffalo Link (2021)
What happens when Buffalo Gold and Lightning Link have a baby? The answer is: Buffalo Link.
Buffalo Link blends the thrilling jackpots and game mechanics offered by Lightning Link with the same familiar sounds, themes, and symbols featured in the Buffalo range of slots. Aristocrat has always found creative ways to keep the saga alive, and Buffalo Link is an excellent merger slot.
You’ll unlock free games by landing three gold coins on any spin, and there’s a bonus within the bonus. Buffalo Link brings Lightning Link’s Hold & Spin feature to the savannah! If you trigger eight buffalo symbols in the free games round, you’ll have a chance to earn the Grand Jackpot.
However, as opposed to filling up the 3 x 5 grid in Lightning Link or Dollar Storm, you’ll have to fill the entire 4 x 5 grid with 20 Buffalo symbols to get the job done.
Cash Express Luxury Line Buffalo (2021)
Eight years after Cash Express Gold Class Buffalo was released, Aristocrat decided to give their Luxury Line a facelift with Buffalo-inspired symbols. The game’s best feature is an incorporation of the luxury line, which credits lucky players with a seemingly endless stream of cash prizes.
Buffalo Gold Revolution (2021)
Buffalo Gold Revolution was released in 2021, but it’s so similar to Buffalo Gold that most users won’t be able to tell the difference. Aristocrat excels with subtlety, and this game is no exception.
The biggest change is the bonus wheel at the top of the screen, which delivers a chance to win the game’s Grand Jackpot. You could also pocket eight buffalo heads and gain a head-start on the bonus round. It has higher bet minimums than Buffalo Gold in exchange for more features.
Jackpot Carnival Buffalo (2022)
Jackpot Carnival Buffalo takes new players to the nearest carnival with a Buffalo-themed twist.
While this game doesn’t have the same line-up of features that made Buffalo Gold Revolution a must-try among high rollers, you can choose between eight free spins or the Jackpot Carnival feature after triggering three golden coins on the reels.
The Jackpot Carnival feature unlocks a chance to win the game’s Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand Jackpot. You might also bump into a handful of clowns, which can award multipliers up to 25x.
Buffalo Ascension (2022)
As the name suggests, Buffalo Ascension brings your winning potential to new heights with reel growth during the base game. This change means that 5,488 paylines are available on any spin, making Buffalo Ascension a better title than Buffalo Chief for players interested in low volatility.
In order to expand the machine from a base 4 x 5 grid, you’ll need to land a purple arrow on one of the reels. If the reel touches the upper portion of the screen, you unlock a Stampede feature!
Finally, landing a gold arrow symbol on the third reel wins you the game’s progressive jackpot.
Buffalo Diamond Extreme (2023)
Buffalo Diamond Extreme is the latest iteration of Buffalo Diamond, which first released back in 2018. The “extreme” version of this machine promises a better view of the action and offers the chance to win more free spins via the “Extreme Wheel.” It also features better max betting odds.
Unlike Buffalo Diamond, which has a max limit of 53 free spins with a 4x multiplier attached, you could win up to 139 free games with the same 4x multiplier attached. Of course, it’s still possible to take home the Grand Jackpot if you get extremely lucky!
Buffalo Triple Power (2023)
Buffalo Triple Power incorporates three unique free games – Buffalo Rising, Buffalo Gold, and Buffalo Bucks. The “Buffalo Rising” feature expands the grid from a standard, 4 x 5 layout to a 4-5-6-5-4 matrix.
“Buffalo Gold,” which has the same name as Aristocrat’s trademark title, gives you a chance to collect gold buffalo heads and convert other symbols to buffalo for a larger potential win. Lastly, the “Buffalo Bucks” feature makes it possible to collect green or gold cash bags.
Green cash bags award additional credits and gold cash bags come with jackpots hidden inside!
Lightning Buffalo Link (2023)
Lightning Buffalo Link is yet another wildly successful combination of Buffalo and Lightning Link.
It doesn’t incorporate very many changes compared to the original Buffalo Link, but it does offer a brand-new Super Grand Jackpot that can only be activated during the game’s “Hold & Spin” feature. If you collect all 20 symbols to fill the 4 x 5 grid, you’ll pocket an unimaginable jackpot!
Buffalo and Friends (2024)
Buffalo and Friends brings more than one wild animal to the party. As the Buffalo meets up with Mr. Cashman, More Chilli and the goddess behind Wicked Winnings, you’ll have ample enough opportunity to claim brand-new bonuses.
Mr. Cashman steps in at random during the free spins round to award respins, credits, jackpots and even additional Buffalo symbols. If you happen to find More Chilli instead, you’ll unlock four potential reel sets during the bonus game by collecting chilli pepper symbols.
Finally, the Wicked Winnings feature awards one extra respin at the tail end of your free games.
Buffalo Gold Cash Collection (2024)
Buffalo Gold Cash Collection was released in 2024, but its similarity to the original game shows that Aristocrat only improves with time. The slot’s Cash Boost feature awards additional buffalo symbols with boosted cash values. It’s triggered as you land three gold coins with blue borders.
The slot’s Gold feature brings it back to Buffalo Gold with eight free games and classic buffalo collection opportunities. Finally, the multiplier feature triggers when you land three gold coins with purple borders. This bonus is enhanced with 4x/5x wild multipliers across eight free spins.
Buffalo Ultimate Stampede (2024)
Buffalo Ultimate Stampede introduces a bonus meter to the mix. If you fill it all the way to the top with Cash-on-Reel prizes (the green symbols), you’ll potentially trigger the Ultimate Stampede.
If you’ve never watched a herd of buffalo run across your screen, it’s something you have to see to believe. Even if you don’t get the Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand, you’ll win plenty of cash prizes.
Buffalo Power Pay (2024)
Buffalo Power Pay puts Aristocrat in the seven-figure category with potential million-dollar prizes from the game’s “Power Pay” feature. Any winning Buffalo combination could unlock four grids.
At the tippity-top of the food chain, you’ll have a chance to win the Power Grand – a great option for high-rolling players.
Buffalo Gold Max Power (2024)
Buffalo Gold Max Power brings your win potential to the max with up to 46,656 paylines. There’s no set grid matrix here, which is the secret behind this game’s ability to create tens of thousands of winning combinations. Each column features between two and six symbols for extra payouts.
Buffalo Quad Power (2025)
Buffalo Quad Power is the latest iteration of the Buffalo slot series, and it builds on Buffalo Triple Power with a quadruple metamorphic feature that promises multipliers up to 5x. You’ll also see the grid expand to 4-5-6-5-4 whenever purple coin symbols appear on the screen.
It’s like playing Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Triple Power at the same time – you get all the classic action of Buffalo Gold with the same mini-games that make Buffalo Triple Power so entertaining.
Streamers Big Wins on Buffalo Slots
Here are some of the biggest wins that top influencers have marked down on the Buffalo series:
Slot Machine Wins by CHICO – $26,608 on Buffalo Gold (February 21, 2022)
Chico landed nine buffalo symbols on a $24 spin, and the sheer size of his wager allowed him to pocket $26,608 from a lucky hit. Those 2x and 3x multipliers played a major role in his jackpot.
NG Slot – $22,647 on Buffalo Gold Revolution (December 8, 2020)
NG Slot is no stranger to high-rolling, and he was maxing out the reels with $22.50 bets when he landed a 68-spin bonus. Retrigger after retrigger left NG Slot $22,647 richer by the end of it.
The Good Life 88 – $10,642.14 on Buffalo Gold Wheels of Reward (March 21, 2024)
The Good Life 88 found himself on a strong run playing a less-common variant of Buffalo Gold – in fact, his run was so awesome that it landed him 15 golden buffalo heads over the course of 159 free games.
He joined the 15 Golden Buffalo Heads Club, and by that token, his $10,642.14 jackpot was just the icing on the cake.
