Legendary Pick & Click Bonuses from NetEnt, Playtech, Microgaming

What is Pick & Click (short)

This is a bonus round where the player makes a series of conscious choices (chests, boxes, places on the map, tools), receiving instant prizes/multipliers/modifiers. Classical elements:
  • Trigger: 2-5 bonus symbols along the line/on the reels.
  • Mechanics: N "peaks" from a set of objects; hidden under each is a prize/multiplier/" stop."
  • Finish: either the attempts are exhausted, or the "stop "/" Collect "is extended, or the level limit is reached.
  • Reward: summing up cash prizes, activating freespins with improvements, sometimes - entering the jackpot game.

"Legendary" criteria

1. instant readability and rhythm of choice;
2. clear reward scale and risk escalation;
3. additional levels (× - multipliers, repeated peaks, safes/locations);
4. strong thematic "physics" (music/animations for successful and unsuccessful peaks);
5. longevity is a recognizable bonus years later.

NetEnt: Reference Choice Directing

Blood Suckers - "vampire lair": three or more Bonus symbols launches cash prize coffin selection round (Pick & Click; freespins are activated separately from Scatter).
The Invisible Man - Griffin's Rage: step-by-step point-and-click on three locations with prizes and multipliers (up to × 4).
Guns N" Roses - Crowd Pleaser: The wheel can launch a pick-play with a selection of tools and hidden prizes (Pick & Click).

What NetEnt remembers: deeply "packs" the choice into the plot (locations/tools/atmosphere), adds levels and safely explains the rules right in the interface.

Playtech: Show Serve and Jackpots

Gladiator is a bonus with helmets: three helmets on 2-3-4 reels - and the player opens 9 helmets with prizes (classic Pick & Click).
Pink Panther - Crack the Pink Code: open safes, get freespins/multipliers; there are other peak scenarios ("Pink Trail").
Age of the Gods - jackpot game: a side game is randomly launched with a choice of coins; matching three characters of the same type is one of four progressive jackpots.

Signed Playtech: visual drive and frequent Pick & Click bundle with progressive jackpots.

Microgaming: pure classics of the genre

Mermaids Millions - Treasure Bonus: 3 chests on the active line - teleport to the underwater hall with shells; the number of picks depends on the trigger, prizes are added to line wins.
Tomb Raider (2004) - Tomb Bonus: 3-5 bonus characters along the line - a classic click-and-pick mini-game with idols and random prizes.
Alaskan Fishing - Fly-Fishing Bonus: special symbols on the 1st and 5th reels - a choice of 5 out of 9 places "on the reservoir," each gives a multiplier to the bet.

Microgaming style: direct, fast, with understandable "peaks" and transparent mathematics of awards.

How Pick & Click math works

The number of peaks sets the upper limit of the sum of prizes;
Pool composition (prizes/" dummies "/" stops ") balances risk;
Modifiers (× multipliers, "repeated attempt," "open more") add dispersion;
Bundle with freespins: Pick & Click often unlocks freespin modifiers (add-ons, extensions, permanent ×-multiplier), or issues direct loans;
RTP is distributed between the base game, pick-up bonuses, freespins and (if any) jackpot feed; Pick & Click's tangible "weight" reduces the frequency of large drifts, but increases the "perceived return" due to frequent interactive wins.

UX solutions that make the bonus "legendary"

1. Telemetry of choice: animations of success/failure, growing sound, counter of the remaining peaks.
2. Transparency: clear hints and win-meter (real-time total).
3. Escalation: levels/locations with increasing rates/multipliers (example - 3 scenes in Griffin's Rage).
4. Connection with meta-goals: entry into freespins/jackpot or freespin upgrade (choice of modifiers).
5. Time limit (rarely, on topic): Keeps pace without building pressure.

How to rate a specific Pick & Click (checklist)

Trigger and frequency: how many characters are needed, along the line or in any positions;
How many peaks are given and whether they can be "bought" add. symbols;
Is there a "stop "/" Collect "and how often it occurs;
Are there levels/factors/re-peak;
Does the bonus lead to freespins/jackpot;
Does the game show the total at once;
How the theme (music/effects) is implemented and whether it "breaks" readability.

Why these implementations have become iconic

NetEnt: cinematic storytelling + variability of choice (locations, objects, "wheel → peak").
Playtech: pairing peaks with a large target (jackpot/scale prize) and a "subject" choice (helmets/safes).
Microgaming: benchmark pace and clarity of rules, making bonuses like Treasure/Fly-Fishing remain an "eternal classic."

Results

Pick & Click is one of the most "honest to feel" bonuses: the player sees every step and result of the choice. NetEnt impresses with production (Blood Suckers, Invisible Man, Guns N" Roses), Playtech - show format and jackpot bundle (Gladiator, Pink Panther, Age of the Gods), Microgaming - pure classics and pace (Mermaids Millions, Tomb Raider, Alaskan Fishing). If you look at a specific slot, check the trigger frequency, the number of peaks, the presence of a "stop," levels and a bundle with freespins/jackpot - this checklist immediately shows how much the bonus "holds" the voltage and how much real value it contains.