MonkeyPop 2 – A Fresh Spin on AvatarUX’s PopWins Magic

It’s been a while since AvatarUX gave us a new PopWins release, so seeing MonkeyPop 2 finally land in online casinos feels a bit like catching up with an old friend. The first MonkeyPop from 2022 had that fresh, quirky charm that really made it stand out—bright colours, expressive monkey characters, and the sort of lively PopWins action that keeps players glued to the screen. With the sequel, AvatarUX seems to have taken the “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” approach, tweaking things more gently than dramatically.

The art style is familiar right away. It still has that soft, Asian-inspired backdrop and friendly monkey characters, although the surprise factor is naturally less than it was the first time around. It’s still a nice-looking slot, just not quite the kind that makes you blink twice like the original did. But presentation has never been the issue with AvatarUX—they know how to make a game look good, and MonkeyPop 2 fits right into modern casinos without trying too hard.

Base Game Flow

MonkeyPop 2 runs on a 5×3 grid with 243 ways to win, paying only left to right. The game is certainly on the volatile end of the spectrum, sporting a 96% RTP and allowing bets anywhere between €0.10 and €300. There’s also an ante option that bumps your stake by 50% but doubles the chances of triggering the bonus—handy if you’re impatient.

The symbols are straightforward: 9–A icons on the low side and a cast of monkey characters for the bigger wins.

• Lows pay 0.5× to 0.6× for 5 in a row
• Highs pay between 1.25× and 2.5×
  Wilds step in as expected, helping complete winning combinations.

Nothing too complicated here, which isn’t a bad thing. It keeps the focus on the features—the real backbone of any PopWins slot.

Features & Mechanics

PopWins

The main mechanic works exactly as fans would expect: every winning symbol pops and is replaced by two new ones, expanding the reels.

• Base game reels can stretch to 6 rows
• Free spins can reach a tall 9 rows
  

It’s still as satisfying as ever to see wins chain together, especially when the grid starts towering upward.

Monkey’s Blessings

At random moments, the monkey mascot can step in and stir the pot.

• In the base game, it can blow the grid open to full height and activate a Global Multiplier, which grows by +1 for every hit on that same spin.
• In free spins, it can fill the Bonus Collector, add an extra spin, or toss in a few wilds wherever it feels like.
  

Free Spins

Three scatters trigger the bonus. But before you start, MonkeyPop 2 assigns three random parameters:

• 7, 9, or 12 free spins
• x3, x5, or x10 multiplier
• Starting grid height of 4, 5, or 7 rows (1,024 / 3,125 / 16,807 ways)
  

Now here’s where things get spicy: each of those can be gambled once. Win the gamble, and you move up to the next tier. Lose, and the entire bonus evaporates. Gone. POOF. It’s harsh, but some players live for that kind of risk.

During the bonus round, every scatter nudges the Bonus Collector upward by +1. Hitting 3 resets the counter and grants +1 spin. Again, Monkey’s Blessing can step in and fill the collector instantly whenever it feels generous.

XPress Feature Buys

If you’re playing at a site that allows feature buys (not all do):

• Fortune Bonus (60×) gives you a random bonus setup.
• Bonus Max (500×) hands you the best possible start: 12 spins, a x10 multiplier, and maximum ways.
  

High rollers and bonus hunters will know immediately whether this appeals to them.

How It Actually Feels to Play

What stands out after a few sessions is that MonkeyPop 2 is still fun—fast-paced, colourful, full of those PopWins moments where the grid keeps stretching and stretching. That part hasn’t lost its excitement. It’s easy to see why these games continue showing up in the best casinos in Iceland and across Europe.

But there’s also an elephant (or monkey) in the room: the max win is 10,000×, which is exactly half of what the first MonkeyPop offered. Sequels usually go bigger, not smaller, so this choice might leave some players scratching their heads.

The gamble feature before the bonus is probably the most divisive addition. Some will absolutely love the thrill of pushing their luck for a stronger setup; others will avoid it completely, fearing the heartbreak of losing a bonus they already triggered.

In short, MonkeyPop 2 plays well, but players familiar with the series may notice that it leans more on refinement than bold innovation.

A Quick Note for Bonus Seekers

Between the ante bet, the gamble feature, and the feature buys, there are plenty of ways to raise the stakes. But every one of those options increases volatility, so this game leans strongly toward players who enjoy risk rather than those looking for gentle, predictable bonuses.

When the Monkey Teaches You a New Trick

MonkeyPop 2 is a polished and enjoyable slot that keeps the PopWins spirit alive, but it does so in a more cautious way than some fans might hope. The artwork is charming, the gameplay is snappy, and the little surprises from Monkey’s Blessings add a nice touch. Still, with the reduced max win and a lot of familiar mechanics returning unchanged, it doesn’t feel like the big leap forward some players expected.

If you enjoy pushing your luck—especially with that all-or-nothing bonus gamble—MonkeyPop 2 might be exactly your kind of chaos. But if you’re chasing the highest potential possible or looking for something dramatically new, the original MonkeyPop might still be the better choice.