Ice Field

Where to Play?

Hunting down a top-notch online casino to play Ice Field with the best RTP can be a bit of a mission. Some operators might run a lower version. I always reckon it's best to stick with the trusted places on our list that use the official software with fair settings. When I was putting this pokie through its paces, I played at Vavada and Joycasino, and the RTP was spot on at 96.03%.

When you're ready to play for some real Kiwi dollars, you'll want a casino that's got your back with easy deposits and fast NZD payouts. Plenty of our top picks for NZ punters have generous welcome offers, and sometimes even free spins to use on games just like this one. Just have a proper look at the wagering requirements before you dive in, aye. And remember, if the fun stops, support's available at ProblemGambling.org.nz.

Play Free Demo

Before you chuck any real Kiwi dollars at the frosty reels of Ice Field, I seriously recommend you give the demo a go. It's free as, and you don't even need to sign up. You get the full experience — all the bonus features and symbols — but you're playing with fake credits. It's the best way to get a feel for that high volatility and decide if it's your kind of fun.

In the demo, you can mess around with different bet sizes and try out some strategies without any risk to your wallet. It's what I always do. I'll play the demo until I've got the mechanics down, and only then do I think about playing for real.

You'll find a sweet demo of this and other pokies right here at Casinoz.

Verified NZ Online Casinos

Picking the right online casino for Ice Field is just as important as getting your head around the game itself. Not all casinos are the same, aye? Some have better bonus deals, others are known for super-fast payouts. My team and I have personally checked out heaps of sites to bring you only the best ones for Kiwi punters.

In our dynamic list below, you'll find only licensed casinos with solid reputations. We've focused on those with Ice Field in their game library, offer decent welcome packages for new players, have good payment options, and provide excellent customer support. These are the spots where you can play safe and know you're getting a fair go.

Best Ice Field bonuses

How to Play Ice Field (Upgaming)

Ice Field is your standard video pokie, with a 5x3 reel grid and 20 fixed paylines. The whole game board looks like an Arctic research station, which is a pretty cool touch. You're trying to land winning combos on the paylines from left to right, starting on the first reel.

The betting range is nice and flexible, starting as low as NZ$0.10 and going up to NZ$100 per spin. So it's good for Kiwi punters just starting out or high-rollers looking for some serious action. The symbols are split into the lower-paying ones (the stylish 10, J, Q, K, A cards) and the higher-paying ones (like lab gear, an icebreaker ship, and a polar explorer). But what you're really after are those special bonus symbols.

Screenshot

Bonus games

The main reason to brave the cold in Ice Field is the Freeze Spins bonus round, aye. You trigger it by landing 3, 4, or 5 Scatter symbols, which gets you 8, 10, or 12 free spins. But the real action starts once you're in. Special multiplier symbols (x2, x3, x5) can land on the reels and get collected in this special 'freezer' meter on the side.

The whole idea is to stack up these multipliers. Every time a multiplier symbol lands, it's added to the meter and 'frozen' in there. Then, when the Freeze Spins round is over, all those collected multipliers are added together and applied to your total win from the feature. That's how you can end up with some truly massive payouts, especially if you manage to collect a bunch of those higher multipliers during your free spins.

RTP, Volatility & Hit Frequency

• The technical specs of Ice Field tell you straight up what you're in for, aye? The RTP (Return to Player) is a solid 96.03%. That's a bit above the average, which is always a good sign for Kiwi punters. But it's always a good idea to check the RTP at the casino you're playing at, just in case they're running a lower version.
• The volatility is high — no two ways about it. So you should expect some pretty long dry spells where your bankroll takes a hit, followed by some sudden, and potentially huge, wins.
• The hit frequency, from what I saw, is around 20-25%, which is pretty normal for a high-vol game. Basically, the frozen tundra doesn't give up its treasures easily, but when it does, it's a proper snowstorm of cash. Patience and a decent bankroll are key.

Comparison Ice Field with analogues

Strategy: How to Win

Let's get one thing straight, aye? There's no magic strategy to guarantee a win on Ice Field or any other pokie. They all use a Random Number Generator (RNG), so it's all down to luck. But there are smart ways to manage your bankroll that can help you play longer and give you a better shot at being there when that big bonus round finally hits.

My best advice for Kiwi punters: set a budget for your session and don't budge from it. With a high-volatility game like this, a solid plan is to keep your bets small — somewhere between 0.5% and 1% of your total bankroll for the session. That way, you can ride out those dry spells. And please, never try to chase your losses. If you hit your limit, just call it a day. Remember, this is for fun. If it's not fun anymore, or you're worried, help is available at ProblemGambling.org.nz. Play smart.

More Upgaming games

Interface

The controls in Ice Field are a piece of cake and pretty standard for any video pokie. In the middle of the bottom panel, you've got the spin button. On the left, you can tweak your bet size with the '-' and '+' buttons. On the right, there's the autoplay feature, where you can set a bunch of automatic spins and tell it when to stop, like if you hit a certain win or loss limit.

Before you get spinning, I'd definitely recommend clicking on the settings cog icon. That's where you can turn the sound on or off, mess with the graphics, and, most importantly, switch on 'Turbo Spin' or 'Quick Spin' mode. This makes the reel animations way faster, so you get to the result much quicker. For a high-volatility pokie like this, where you might be spinning hundreds of times waiting for that bonus, it's an absolute lifesaver.

New Upgaming

Mobile Compatibility

These days, a good pokie needs a solid mobile version, and Ice Field doesn't let the side down. The game's fully optimized for smartphones and tablets, whether you're on Android or iOS. I gave it a crack on an iPhone 13 and a Samsung Galaxy S22, and it ran perfectly smooth — no lag, no crashes, aye?

The touchscreen controls are well done; all the buttons are a good size and easy to tap. The graphics are just as sharp as on the desktop version, and the game screen automatically adjusts to fit your device. So you can enjoy that frosty look wherever you are — on the bus, waiting in line, or just chilling on the couch.

Other games

Should You Play for Real Money in New Zealand?

So, is Ice Field worth your time and Kiwi dollars? My answer is a definite yes — but with a pretty big 'if': you have to be into high-volatility pokies with serious bonus potential. The game has a cool, unique theme, great graphics, and a genuinely exciting bonus mechanic with those stacking multipliers that can lead to some epic payouts.

But, if you're the type who likes frequent, smaller wins and a nice, steady game, the frozen tundra of Ice Field might feel a bit too harsh. This is a pokie for patient punters who are hunting that one big score and are willing to sit through some long cold spells. Me? I had a blast testing it and will definitely be going back for more.