New Hold & Win games: interesting implementations

The Hold & Win format, which gained wide popularity due to its simplicity and high engagement, received significant development in 2025. The developers have ceased to be limited to the classic scheme of character retention and fixed payments - instead, new hybrid models have appeared that add depth and variability.

1. Basic mechanics modifications

Instead of the standard three respins when activating the bonus, the new releases offer:

• Dynamic number of spins depending on the number of activating characters;
• Transferring the collected multipliers to the main game;
• Additional slots for bonus symbols that expand the reels.

Example: in one of the ReelPlay releases, with each new respins symbol, it becomes not three, but four, increasing the chances of collecting the jackpot.

2. Hold & Win combination with Megaways or Infinity Reels

In 2025, games appeared where retention mechanics are used on expanding drums or a grid with a variable number of characters. This makes it possible to collect large factors in non-standard formats.

Example: a slot with Megaways in which each new Hold & Win symbol opens an additional row.

3. Integration of multipliers and progression

New versions add progressive multipliers that accumulate from bonus to bonus. Sometimes the multiplier is applied to each character, sometimes to the total amount won.

Example: Each time a row is filled, the multiplier increases by x1, and the entire grid is filled by x10.

4. Special bonus symbols

In addition to standard coins, there are:

• Wild coins (replace any characters in Hold & Win);
• Key symbols for opening additional reels;
• Collectibles that activate the superbonus.

5. Multilevel bonuses

Instead of one round of retention - a series of levels with increasing complexity and payments. For example, on the first level there are ordinary coins, on the second - with multipliers, on the third - with jackpots and fixed prizes.

6. Thematic variations for local markets

Australian providers are introducing local themes - bush, gold rush, animals of the continent - making mechanics closer to the local audience. In such versions of Hold & Win, symbols can be designed as nuggets of gold, medals, or aboriginal artifacts.

7. Combined with "bonus purchase" features

Many new Hold & Win games allow you to immediately purchase access to a super bonus or an improved version of the hold, where there are more starting characters, higher multipliers or guaranteed jackpots.

Conclusion

Hold & Win in 2025 ceased to be only a "quick bonus with coins." Now it is a flexible system that adds levels, progression, unusual characters and integration with other popular mechanics like Megaways. Australian studios including ReelPlay and Lightning Box are actively experimenting with the format, creating more complex and exciting versions that attract both beginners and experienced players.