Game review
The Wanted Dead or a Wild pokie is Hacksaw Gaming's Wild West shoot-out on a 5x5 grid, with a top RTP of 96.38%, a volatility rating of 4 out of 5 and a maximum win of 12,500 times the bet. Three very different bonus games and the DuelReels mechanic make it one of the studio's best-known titles.
These figures are taken from Hacksaw Gaming's own game page.
| Studio | Hacksaw Gaming |
|---|---|
| RTP versions | 96.38%, 94.55%, 92.33%, 88.42% |
| Volatility | 4 out of 5 |
| Grid | 5 reels x 5 rows |
| Paylines | 15 |
| Max win | 12,500x the bet |
| Bonus games | The Great Train Robbery, Duel at Dawn, Dead Man's Hand |
| Base-game mechanic | DuelReels, triggered by VS symbols |
The Wanted Dead or a Wild RTP is the first thing to check at any casino, because the spread between versions is unusually wide. At the top setting, the house edge is 3.62%; at the lowest, 11.58%, more than three times as much. Over A$500 of play, that is the difference between an expected cost of about A$18 and about A$58.
The base game uses fifteen paylines across a five-by-five grid, a small number for a grid this size, so line wins are relatively scarce. The excitement comes from VS symbols. When they land, the DuelReels mechanic kicks in and the VS symbols can turn into wilds carrying multipliers, which apply to any line they complete. A spin with two or three of them on connected lines can produce a sharp jump in an otherwise quiet session.
Hacksaw built three separate features, each with its own character. The Great Train Robbery and Duel at Dawn are free-spin style rounds with different ways of building wins. Dead Man's Hand runs in two phases: first a collection stage, then a Showdown that settles the result. Because the three bonuses behave differently, players often develop a favourite, and the Bonus Buy option, where offered, lets you go straight to a chosen round.
The studio rates the game 4 out of 5 for volatility. In practice that means long stretches with small or no wins, then occasional bursts. The 12,500x ceiling is reached only in rare combinations inside the bonuses.
It suits players who enjoy high-variance games and are happy to wait for a feature. Fans of westerns will like the art and sound, and anyone who likes choosing between bonus types will find the three rounds a draw. It is a poor fit for a short session on a tight budget. At A$1 a spin, a A$50 balance can disappear before a single bonus appears; at A$0.20, you get 250 spins and a far better chance of seeing what the game can do.
Players who use bonus buys should be especially careful here. A purchase is priced as a multiple of the stake, so the cost rises quickly, and buying repeatedly turns a 4-out-of-5 volatility game into something closer to an all-or-nothing bet. Every pokie review Australia players read should make that point, and we are no exception.
If high returns matter more to you than theme, our list of the best paying pokies ranks games by published RTP. For other high-ceiling games, see Tanked from Nolimit City or the cluster-based Pirots 3 from ELK Studios.
Because line wins are scarce on fifteen paylines across twenty-five positions, the base game can feel quiet, and most of the action arrives with the VS symbols and the bonuses. A sensible plan is to size your stake so the budget covers at least two hundred spins: A$0.25 on A$50, A$0.50 on A$100. That gives the game enough room to show a duel or two and, with luck, one of the three bonus rounds.
Think in terms of what you can afford to see. If you would be disappointed to finish a session without a bonus, lower the stake rather than raising it to chase one. And if a bonus pays well early, consider stopping or withdrawing part of the balance. High-volatility games give back wins as easily as they hand them out. A session that ends with a modest profit and a story about Dead Man's Hand is a good session on this game.
These three casinos list Hacksaw Gaming among their studios in our database. Search the lobby for the game title before you deposit.
HellSpin Casino
9.5/10
Up to A$5,200 + 150 FS over 4 deposits: 100% up to A$300 + 100 FS; 50% up to A$900 + 50 FS; then 30% / 25% up to A$2,000 each
Checked 4 Nov 2026
SlotsGem Casino
9.0/10
Up to A$8,000 + 225 FS over 4 deposits: 120% up to A$1,200 + 125 FS / 100% up to A$1,200 + 100 FS / 70% up to A$2,100 / 70% up to A$3,500
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Ripper Casino
8.5/10
Up to A$7,500 over 4 deposits: 150%/175%/200%/225% with codes RIPPER150/175/200/225 (caps A$1,500/1,750/2,000/2,250)
Checked 4 Nov 2026
HellSpin scores 9.5 on our check, lists PayID and offers 30 no-deposit spins with code SPINS30. SlotsGem scores 9.0, launched in 2025, and lists e-wallet payouts within 12 hours. Ripper scores 8.5, takes deposits from A$5 by Lightning Bitcoin and states payouts of about 90 minutes by BTC or eZeeWallet, though its minimum withdrawal is A$100.
Because the three bonuses feel so different, the demo is worth more here than for most pokies. Play the fun version long enough to see each feature at least once and note which suits you. If the casino offers the Bonus Buy in demo, try it with play credits to see how volatile the purchased rounds are before you consider paying for one. Our page on free pokies explains where demos are available.
When you move to real money, open the info screen and confirm the RTP. If it shows 92.33% or 88.42%, you may prefer another casino from the list above that runs the top version. Like any pokie review Australia guides publish, ours can only describe the studio's options; your casino's choice is what you play. Our Australian online pokies guide ranks the highest-scoring casinos overall.
Hacksaw Gaming lists four versions: 96.38%, 94.55%, 92.33% and 88.42%. The casino chooses which one to run, so check the info screen.
12,500x the bet, according to Hacksaw Gaming.
The Great Train Robbery, Duel at Dawn and Dead Man's Hand. Dead Man's Hand has two phases: a collection phase and then a Showdown.
Hacksaw Gaming lists a Bonus Buy that goes straight to a bonus game. Availability depends on the casino and market.
