The Osbournes Details Page

Software (9)

What can one say about The Osbournes except that it is the product of a great piece of software. Microgaming always goes to the limit when it comes to providing the player with the utmost in convenience and friendliness. It is very easy to navigate around the game, and even easier to make the bets and read the results of the spins. The pay table is very clear in explaining what you can win, and there are speed and sound controls to make the whole thing an experience where everything is very much in your hands.

Easy to Understand (9)

As far as the nature of the game itself is concerned, it's a slot game, so the basic rules are not very difficult. One needs some orientation with the premise behind all the bonus games, and that's important, because there's a lot of potential money at stake. Some players may be attracted by the payoffs associated with the game, but are not all that familiar with the Osbournes, and I guess that would take some enlightenment. Microgaming has comprehensive help files to assist the players in finding out anything they need to about the game.

Graphics & Sounds (9)

The design of the site is very colorful, and the graphics are very lifelike, which is significant, because they are portraits of real people who are familiar to many. Microgaming, the designers of The Osbournes, understand that the game is no fun if you can't tell which of the symbols is which.

Theme and Concept (10)

It is a terrific theme, because it is based on a popular TV show and is connected to what, for lack of a better term, has become a genuine "brand," which is the Osbourne family, The generous payouts should be able to bring in the more established players, while the "Gen X" crowd that has an interest in casino gaming and slot machines will be pulled in by virtue of the identification with a pop culture icon (or icons, as it were). Also, check out that intro movie when you enter the game. It's really something else!

Game Features (10)

This game has regular features such as the "Quick Spin" option, which will, in effect, speed up the spinning of the reels, allowing for more play in a shorter period of time, and AutoPlay, which puts your play on auto-pilot and is found in Expert Mode. The three bonus games are great features as well. The Mini's Free Spin Trail Bonus Game has two components - the free spins component and the trail game. The Knock Knock Bonus Game allows you to achieve a random bonus amount when you choose a Knocker symbol, and the Grab a Gift Bonus Game can be triggered at any time, which is pretty cool.

Betting Options (9)

The minimum coin size is .01, with a maximum of 0.50. With 20 lines and ten coins per line, the maximum wager is 200 coins. There is nothing wrong with this, and there is nothing wrong with the payouts that are offered.

Jackpots (9)

The biggest payout available for regular play in The Osbournes is 15,000 coins for five Osbourne Logo symbols in an enabled payline. Hey, it's not exactly Ozzie and Harriet, but five Ozzy symbols in a row pays out 5000 coins, and five Sharon symbols will bring 3000. Granted, the payout for four symbols is one-tenth as large for those two symbols, but it's pretty good nonetheless. In the Mini's Free Spin Trail Bonus Game you can win up to 300,000 coins. The Knock Knock Bonus Game offers a potential reward of up to 100,000 coins, and the Grab a Gift Bonus Game can pay out as much as 6000 coins.