Quick Facts
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Release Date | March 2020 |
| Grid | 5x5, expanding up to 11x11 |
| Pay Mechanic | Cluster Pays (5+ same color) |
| RTP | 96.35% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max Win | 3,167x stake |
| Min/Max Bet | Typically $0.20 to $100 CAD equivalent |
Introduction
Cubes launched in March 2020 as one of Hacksaw Gaming's earliest genuinely inventive releases, introducing a bright, colorful cube-based concept unlike almost anything else in the slots industry at the time. Built around a grid that physically expands as you win, it remains a distinctive, approachable title within Hacksaw's catalogue and helped establish the studio's early reputation for experimenting with unconventional slot mechanics well before the extreme-volatility titles that now define much of its brand.
Theme and Presentation
Cubes presents a bright, colorful, almost puzzle-game aesthetic built around clusters of colored cubes rather than traditional slot symbols. The presentation is genuinely playful and visually distinct, evoking a casual puzzle-game feel that stands apart from Hacksaw's later, grittier, more atmospheric releases - a reminder of just how varied the studio's design range has been since its earliest days.
How Cubes Plays
The game begins on a 5x5 grid, using a cluster pays system where five or more cubes of the same color connecting anywhere on the grid create a win. What makes Cubes genuinely distinctive is that the grid itself expands with each consecutive win - growing from 5x5 to 7x7, then 9x9, and finally up to a maximum 11x11 layout, giving Canadian players a real, visual sense of building momentum as a hot streak develops.
Corner Multipliers and Free Spins
Each corner of the base game grid contains an X symbol. When a winning cluster includes that X, it transforms into a multiplier value equal to the number of cubes involved in that particular win, and the final payout is multiplied accordingly. Beyond the base game, Cubes' free spins feature is triggered by a genuinely unique mechanic: forming clusters in five different colors lights up one of five letters spelling out "CUBES" above the grid, and illuminating all five letters triggers the free spins round.
RTP and Volatility in Practical Terms
At 96.35%, Cubes carries a solid, consistent RTP without the wide range of alternate configurations found in many of Hacksaw's later titles. Volatility is rated medium, and the published hit frequency of around 32% supports a genuinely steady, approachable session - considerably gentler than the extreme-volatility titles that now dominate much of Hacksaw's current catalogue.
The 3,167x max win is modest by the standards of Hacksaw's newer, far more aggressive releases, but it's entirely consistent with the game's medium-volatility design philosophy, offering Canadian players a more measured, predictable rhythm rather than the boom-or-bust swings typical of the studio's high-ceiling titles.
Cubes 2
Hacksaw Gaming released a sequel, Cubes 2, in February 2021, keeping the same core expanding-grid, cluster-pays concept while significantly raising the stakes: the max win climbs to 10,500x at a similarly strong 96.33% RTP, though volatility shifts up to high. The sequel adds two distinct free spins modes and refines the Corner Multiplier system, giving Canadian players a considerably higher-ceiling option if they enjoy the original's core mechanic but want more dramatic upside.
Playing Cubes in Canada
Cubes is available at many Canadian-facing online casinos carrying Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue. In Ontario, it's accessible through operators regulated under the AGCO's iGaming Ontario framework. Elsewhere in Canada, players typically reach it through provincial lottery corporation platforms where Hacksaw content is licensed, or through operators licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or another internationally recognized regulator accepting Canadian traffic.
Bankroll Considerations
With medium volatility and a hit frequency around 32%, Cubes is one of the more approachable, forgiving titles within Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue. A reasonable guideline is budgeting for 200 to 300 spins at your chosen stake, which should provide a representative sample of the expanding-grid mechanic along with a reasonable chance at lighting up enough letters to trigger free spins.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Solid, consistent 96.35% RTP without confusing alternate configurations
- Genuinely inventive, visually distinctive puzzle-inspired concept
- Expanding grid mechanic gives real, visible momentum to winning streaks
- Approachable medium volatility suits steadier, extended sessions
- Anchors a well-supported sequel with a considerably higher ceiling
Cons:
- Modest 3,167x max win by current industry standards
- Simpler feature set compared to Hacksaw's newer, more elaborate releases
- Unique "CUBES" letter-lighting free spins trigger takes some getting used to
- Less dramatic win potential than most other titles in this review series
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Cubes? 96.35%, a consistent figure without the wide range of alternate configurations found in Hacksaw's later titles.
What is the maximum win on Cubes? 3,167x your total stake, achieved through Corner Multiplier symbols combined with the expanding grid's larger cluster potential.
How does the free spins trigger work? Forming winning clusters in five different colors lights up one letter each in "CUBES" above the grid; illuminating all five letters triggers the free spins round.
Is Cubes available to Canadian players for real money? Yes, through Ontario's regulated iGaming market and through Kahnawake- or internationally licensed operators serving the rest of Canada.
Final Verdict
Cubes remains a genuinely inventive, approachable classic within Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue, and its expanding-grid mechanic still feels visually satisfying more than five years after release. Its modest 3,167x max win and medium volatility make it a considerably gentler experience than the studio's newer, more extreme titles, and for Canadian players who want a colorful, puzzle-inspired session with a steadier rhythm - or who want to trace Hacksaw's design evolution back to one of its earliest experiments - Cubes remains a worthwhile, distinctive pick.
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