Space Wars

Space Wars is a retro science-fiction pokie from NetEnt, and it remains a favourite with New Zealand players who enjoy a fast, colourful game without any fuss. The theme is pure cartoon sci-fi: rival alien species square off across the reels in a battle for a glowing crystal, drawn in a bright comic-book style that has aged well since its 2013 release. For Kiwis who search for the Space Wars slot or its RTP, the appeal is simple. You can spin for a few cents or a few dollars in NZD, the pace is quick, and the signature re-spin keeps the action rolling. It is one of those pokies you can pick up in a couple of spins.

How Space Wars plays

Space Wars uses a 5x4 grid with 40 fixed paylines, so every spin covers all 40 lines. All the alien symbols land in stacks, which raises the chance of several matching symbols dropping in at once. Wild symbols appear only on reels 2 and 4, where they substitute for every regular symbol to complete lines. The mechanic that defines the game is the Cloning Pod re-spin: every winning spin triggers a free re-spin, and the winning symbols are transferred into the Cloning Pod and cloned back onto the reels. Those cloned symbols can extend a win or set up fresh combinations, and the re-spins continue as long as new wins keep landing. There is no separate free spins round here; the re-spin feature is the star, and it fires far more often than a traditional bonus.

Space Wars RTP, volatility and max win

Space Wars runs at a published RTP of 96.75%, which sits comfortably above the average for older NetEnt titles. Its volatility is on the low to medium side, meaning wins tend to arrive regularly in smaller amounts rather than in rare, huge bursts. That steady rhythm is largely thanks to the Cloning Pod re-spins, which turn many spins into short chains of connected wins. The maximum win is 1,000x your stake, so a lucky sequence of re-spins with stacked symbols and wilds is what you are chasing. It will not deliver the five-figure multipliers of modern high-variance pokies, but the trade-off is more frequent action and a friendlier bankroll.

Playing Space Wars in New Zealand

Space Wars is available at a range of online casinos that serve New Zealand players, and you can play it in NZD. A free demo runs in your browser with no account and no deposit, which is the easiest way to see whether the pace and the Cloning Pod suit you before you commit real money. It is worth being clear about the local picture: New Zealand does not yet license domestic online casinos, and the Department of Internal Affairs is only introducing the Online Casino Gambling Act from December 2026. Until that regime is live, Kiwis play at casinos licensed offshore, so the sites listed here operate under overseas regulators rather than a New Zealand licence.

Is Space Wars worth playing?

Space Wars has earned its long shelf life. It is bright, quick and genuinely fun, and the Cloning Pod re-spin gives it a hook that many simple pokies lack. The 96.75% RTP is solid and the low to medium volatility makes it a comfortable choice for shorter sessions or a smaller bankroll. If you want a giant top prize, a modern high-variance slot will suit you better, but as an easy-going, replayable classic it still holds up. Whatever you play, set a budget before you start and treat it as entertainment. For support and tools, see NetEnt's responsible gambling page.