Dead or Alive 3: Wanted — Review of the New Slot from NetEnt

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19.03.2026

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NetEnt remained silent for seven years after the release of Dead or Alive 2—and in that time, nothing has been forgotten. DOA 2 remains one of the most popular games among streamers and casual gamers alike. Now, on March 26, 2026, the third installment is set to be released: Dead or Alive 3: Wanted.

The story revolves around Jesse James, Della Rose, and their gang, who are planning one last heist in the desert. But they’re being pursued by a bounty hunter who doesn’t care whether they’re alive or dead.

What's changed? The grid has expanded to 5×5, wilds now collect multipliers, a five-level bonus purchase system has been added, and the sticky wilds are still there—they work during free spins. Let's break it down step by step.

Slot Specifications

About the RTP: The game has six configurations—the casino chooses which one to use. You need version 96.03%/96.04%. If the casino uses 92% or 94%, the difference becomes noticeable over time. Check for RTP in the game information or ask customer support.

What has changed compared to DOA 2?

The first thing that catches your eye is the size of the playing field. Instead of the classic 5×3 and 9 paylines, it’s now 5×5 and 21 paylines. More symbols on the screen, more action per spin.

But the main difference lies in the wild symbol mechanics. In DOA 2, everything revolved around sticky wilds, which would stick in place during free spins. In DOA 3, wilds now have multipliers (ranging from x2 to x100), and the new Bounty Hunter Wilds pool these multipliers into a single pot. At the same time, the sticky wilds haven’t gone anywhere—the Wanted Wilds become sticky during free spins.

Three free spin modes from DOA 2 - Wp content uploads 2022 05 Get 50 no-deposit spins on the Book of Dead slot machine at SpinBountry Casino. jpg webp.webp (Train Heist, Old Saloon, High Noon) have been replaced by two: regular Free Spins and Super Free Spins, each with guaranteed Bounty Hunter Wilds on every spin.

The maximum payout is technically lower (66,666x vs. 111,111x in DOA 2), but the probability of hitting either is roughly 1 in 50 million. In reality, what matters more is that the base game in DOA 3 is noticeably more active: wilds appear more often, multipliers stack up, and there are fewer boring streaks of 100+ empty spins.

How Wilds Work

This is the core of the entire game. There are two types of wilds, each with its own role.

Wanted Wilds

They land on individual positions and come with a random multiplier: x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, or x100. When multiple Wanted Wilds appear on the same winning line, their multipliers are added together. A Wild x5 and a Wild x10 on the same line = your winnings multiplied by 15.

An important detail from the official NetEnt fact sheet: Wanted Wilds that land during the base game and during respins turn into Sticky Wilds and carry over to the free spins round. Those that land during the free spins also become sticky. This is a direct evolution of the mechanic from the original DOA.

Bounty Hunter Wilds

They take up an entire reel—all 5 cells vertically. When the Bounty Hunter lands, he collects the multiplier values from all Wanted Wilds on the screen.

If two Bounty Hunters appear at the same time, the one on the left collects multipliers from the Wanted Wilds, while the one on the right collects everything: both from the Wanted Wilds and from the Bounty Hunter on the left. All collected multipliers are added together.

When two Bounty Hunters land on adjacent reels, they merge into a single giant two-reel wild with a shared multiplier. That’s exactly how those insane numbers in the screenshots are generated.

Free Spins and Super Free Spins

Two Bonus symbols on the reels trigger a Re-Spin—an extra chance to land a third one. Three or more Bonus symbols trigger free spins:

If one of the three bonuses is Super Bonus, Super Free Spins are triggered instead of the usual free spins.

What makes Super Free Spins different?

In Super Free Spins, Bounty Hunter Wilds are guaranteed to appear on every spin. There is no such guarantee in regular free spins. This is a fundamental difference—every spin in Super mode features a full-size wild that collects multipliers.

If Wanted Wilds cover all 5 reels, you’ll be awarded 5 additional free spins. Since the wilds become sticky, filling all the reels becomes more likely with every spin.

Elevate — Bonus Purchase System

There are five levels, each of which activates something different. You can only activate one per spin:

The maximum bet for all Elevate levels is €14.00. Dead or Alive Spins at the €14 maximum bet = €14,000 per round. This isn't for everyday play. However, the lower levels (2x and 5x) are available at any bet amount.

RTP remains virtually unchanged with Elevate: 96.03% without it, 96.04% with it. You're paying for access to the mechanics, not for an advantage.

Note: Purchasing bonuses is prohibited in some countries (the United Kingdom, etc.). If you don't see Elevate in the game, it's because of a restriction in your jurisdiction.

Complete Table RTP

The NetEnt offers casinos six configurations. Here is the complete list from the official documentation:

How to check your version: Open the in-game info menu—it usually lists RTP. If you find the OSS ID (in the game’s technical specifications), check it against the table above. An ID starting with «r96» indicates the best version. «r94» and «r92» are stripped-down versions.

DOA 1 vs. DOA 2 vs. DOA 3: A Comparison

Each part has its own character. DOA 1 is a true classic: sticky wilds and nothing extra. DOA 2 offers maximum risk through the High Noon Saloon with a 111,111x cap. DOA 3 strikes the perfect balance: more action in the base game, a multiplier collection system, and five Elevate levels for those who don’t want to wait 200 spins to reach the bonus round.

Similar Slots

If you like the DOA series, here are some other games you might want to try:

Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming) — the main competitor. It’s just like Wild West, with similar volatility and multiplier wilds up to x100. RTP 96.38%, max win 12,500x. Simpler and more accessible than DOA.

Tombstone RIP (Nolimit City) — For those who find DOA 2 lacks volatility. Extreme variance, xNudge wilds, max win of 300,000x. When it hits, it hits so hard that DOA gets nervous enough to light up a cigarette.

Wild West Gold (Pragmatic Play) — sticky wilds with x2–x5 multipliers during free spins. Max. 10,000x, RTP 96.51%. Easier than DOA, suitable for getting started with the genre.

Money Train 4 (Relax Gaming) — A steampunk western with the best respin mechanics in the industry. Modifiers: Payer, Sniper, Collector. Max. 100,000x.

Where to Play Dead or Alive 3

DOA 3: Wanted will be released on March 26, 2026, at all casinos featuring NetEnt games. Below is a list of verified operators that already offer the entire Dead or Alive series. Some offer no-deposit free spins upon registration.

Before choosing a casino, make sure it uses version RTP 96.03% (not the stripped-down versions 94% or 92%), and check whether the Elevate feature is available in your region.

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