Northern Lights has been catching plenty of attention, so we put it through its paces to see how it really holds up. This is a GMW release, sitting firmly in the medium high volatility bracket and paying back an RTP of 95.99%. Visually it's built around an animal theme, with the action running on 5 reels and 30 paylines. It first went live in 2025 and still earns its place today. If everything lines up, Northern Lights can pay up to 5,000x your bet. Let's break down what works and what doesn't.
Written by James Holloway · Last updated: February 2026
Northern Lights comes to us from GMW, leaning into an animal aesthetic. It runs on 30 paylines across 5 reels with medium high volatility, and a return-to-player rate of 95.99%.
Where Northern Lights earns its keep is the feature set. Look out for scatter symbols that unlock free spins and extra bonus rounds. The medium high volatility strikes a middle ground that should suit most playing styles. All told, it's a solid entry in the GMW catalogue.
At 95.99%, the RTP is slightly below the industry average of ~96%. While this is typical for many popular slots, players should be aware of the slightly lower theoretical return.
Medium-high volatility means wins come less frequently but tend to be larger when they hit. Players should be prepared for dry spells between bigger wins, requiring a moderate bankroll.
About 1 in 3 spins results in a win. This is a moderate hit frequency that balances win frequency with payout size.
Northern Lights features scatter symbols that can trigger free spins rounds. Landing the required number of scatter symbols anywhere on the reels activates the free spins feature, giving you extra chances to win without additional bets. During free spins, special modifiers may apply to boost your winning potential.
3.0 / 5 — Good
Northern Lights by GMW is a solid offering that delivers good entertainment value. The 95.99% RTP combined with medium high volatility creates a well-balanced gaming experience.