Cranky Panda (Relax Gaming) – Review & Demo Play

Cranky Panda Slot Review

Cranky Panda from Relax Gaming lands as a Kindred‑exclusive June 2025 release with an Asian theme, a 5x4 layout and 20 fixed paylines. I found a balanced gaming experience with a fair 96.10% RTP, Medium‑High volatility, and a respectable 5,000x max win. The feature set is easy to follow, anchored by sticky Grid Frames and scatter mechanics that keep sessions lively. It feels light and approachable, aimed at casual to moderate play rather than high risk chases.

Base Game & Features in Cranky Panda

Cranky Panda plays on a 5x4 grid with 20 fixed paylines and 10 regular symbols. Card ranks 10 to Ace sit at the low end, while Bonsai Trees, Koi Fish, and the Panda pay up to 5x for five of a kind, with lows from 0.8x. Coin symbols can appear with random cash values between 1x and 25x stake, dropping tidy pick‑ups into base spins. Stakes range from 0.20 to 200 per spin, so I could tailor sessions to my bankroll.

The Cranky Panda Wild Feature uses a Grid Frame system. When a wild lands, its position frames and stays sticky, carrying forward across spins. Further wilds hitting inside those frames apply multipliers up to x5, which can combine with line hits for tidy outcomes. I liked that this framing persists in bonus play as well, adding anticipation between triggers. It is straightforward, doesn’t need manual activation, and does a decent job of keeping the base game from going flat during quieter patches.

Cranky Panda Symbols and Paytable

Symbol	Quantity	Payout
	5	x5
	4	x3
	3	x2
	5	x5
	4	x3
	3	x2
	5	x4
	4	x2.5
	3	x1.5
	5	x3
	4	x2
	3	x1
	5	x3
	4	x2
	3	x1
	5	x2.5
	4	x1.5
	3	x0.9
	5	x2.5
	4	x1.5
	3	x0.9
	5	x2
	4	x1.2
	3	x0.8
	5	x2
	4	x1.2
	3	x0.8
	5	x2
	4	x1.2
	3	x0.8
	Collect

Yin Yang Scatter Re-Spin in Cranky Panda

Landing two scatters in Cranky Panda triggers the Yin Yang Scatter Re‑Spin. Reels holding scatters drop by one position on each respin, and the sequence goes on until there’s no room for more scatters or a third scatter lands to finish the hunt. This shifting pattern breaks up the monotony of standard spins and throws in fresh lines, so base play never feels static. It is a tidy bridge between dead spins and feature entries, with some fun near‑miss tension.

Cranky Panda Free Spins

Free spins in Cranky Panda trigger with 3, 4, or 5 scatters for 8, 10, or 15 spins. Unless the Booster Pot is primed, you start at entry level with no global multiplier. During the round, Panda Coins can land with multipliers ranging from 1x to 1,000x bet, injecting proper excitement when they connect. The underlying maths feels Medium‑High, so the round can swing, but when multipliers line up with frames and premiums, the slot shows why the 5,000x ceiling exists.

Progression is driven by collecting three Chau Gong symbols, which upgrades you through four levels. Level one applies x2, followed by x3, x4, and x5, with +5 extra spins awarded at each step. The structure gives you something tangible to work towards, and the small escalations matter. I’ve had rounds where a late upgrade with a handful of extra spins turned an average feature into a tidy return, especially when Grid Frames held and wild multipliers stacked within framed spots.

I also like that the sticky frame system remains active during free spins, echoing the base game’s rhythm. Big clusters can swing outcomes when multipliers apply inside established frames. Some sessions feel measured, others snowball when early upgrades arrive, and that variance matches the Medium‑High label. The design doesn’t try to reinvent anything, but it pieces together steady mechanics that work in concert, so free spins have flow rather than a one‑shot burst that ends before you can build.

Bonus Buy Feature

Free Spins Buying Free Spins will cost 50x the reference bet size and starts a round with a guaranteed Free Spins trigger.
Feature Cost:	x50 Bet
RTP:	96.50%
Volatility:	-

Free Spins Booster Pot in Cranky Panda

The Free Spins Booster Pot in Cranky Panda collects Panda Coins from scatters during base play. When 50 coins are banked, your next bonus starts at Level 1 with an immediate x2 multiplier and +5 extra spins. It adds a longer‑term layer to sessions, so regular base play can set up an improved entry. I liked tracking progress between features, as it takes the sting out of a dry spell and nudges your next free spins towards a stronger start.

From a bankroll angle, I’d rather feed coins naturally than chase. The slot’s 96.10% RTP means value comes from steady cycles, and the Pot perk rewards patience. When the meter pops just before a trigger, you begin that round already ahead, which changes how you feel about marginal bonuses. It is not a silver bullet for returns, yet it gives you a decent bump at entry that can combine with early Chau Gong progress for proper momentum.

Bonus Buy Feature in Cranky Panda

Cranky Panda offers a Bonus Buy for non‑UK players at 50x stake. Hitting the button forces three scatters on the next spin, so you jump straight into free spins without waiting. Buying increases RTP from 96.10% to 96.50%, a small uplift that adds appeal if you prefer feature‑led play. Price‑wise it sits on the lower side, and I’ve found it handy when the base feels quiet but the Booster Pot is nowhere near full and I want a shot.

Value depends on tolerance for swings. You get the feature, not a guaranteed payday, and Medium‑High volatility still rules outcomes. I’ve had duds and I’ve had solid rounds when early upgrades landed. If your plan is to buy repeatedly, track returns in blocks rather than one‑offs, and be mindful of the 5,000x ceiling shaping outliers. For me, it is a practical option that complements natural entries, especially during sessions where the base game frames are simmering without delivering.

Our Honest Verdict on Cranky Panda

Overall, Cranky Panda is alright, but just alright. It’s solid enough for casual sessions with a well‑rounded package: sticky Grid Frames add interest, scatter respins break things up, and progressive free spins offer steady escalation. The 96.10% RTP, or 96.50% when buying, feels fair. The 5,000x top end needs ideal conditions and won’t show often. It doesn’t do anything new, yet it provides light, approachable play that I’m happy to spin when I want something easygoing.