Pokies
Thunderkick games for NZ players
Small studio known for distinctive pokie art and design.
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Catalogue
- 40+ titles
- Certified by
- eCOGRA, iTech Labs
Popular Thunderkick titles at NZ casinos
- ▶Pink Elephants
- ▶Fruit Warp
- ▶Esqueleto Explosivo
- ▶Riders of the Storm
- ▶1429 Uncharted Seas
NZ note: Thunderkick is a smaller studio with a loyal following among players who prioritise distinctive visual design and fair RTP settings. Like Push Gaming, it does not offer operators reduced-RTP variants. Its catalogue is smaller than the major studios but generally available at NZ-facing casinos that carry premium studios.
RTP: check the setting, not the headline
Many studios, including Thunderkick, supply games at more than one RTP setting — the operator chooses which to apply. On NZ$1,000 of spins, the gap between a 96% and a 92% setting is roughly NZ$40 in expected losses. Always open the game's information panel on the specific casino you are using to see which RTP setting is actually in play.
Maximum win potential: Up to 2,581x on Riders of the Storm. High max-win games achieve these returns rarely and with high variance — they are not typical session outcomes.
Volatility and your bankroll
Two games with identical RTP can behave very differently. Low-volatility games pay small amounts often — suited to longer sessions with a limited budget. High-volatility games can run cold for extended periods before a large win. Set a session budget and stick to it before you start, whichever studio you play.
Expected hourly cost is the house edge multiplied by total amount wagered. Speed matters: a fast pokie at NZ$1 per spin (around 400 spins/hour) wagers NZ$400/hour — with a 4% house edge that is NZ$16 expected loss per hour. A live blackjack hand at NZ$10 with basic strategy has a house edge near 0.5%, costing about NZ$3/hour at 60 hands. See our RTP and volatility guide for full examples.
What an hour of play costs
| Scenario | Wagered/hour | House edge | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokie NZ$1/spin · ~400 spins/hr | NZ$400 | 4% (96% RTP) | ~NZ$16 |
| Pokie NZ$1/spin · 8% edge (92% RTP) | NZ$400 | 8% (92% RTP) | ~NZ$32 |
| Pokie NZ$0.20/spin · ~400 spins/hr | NZ$80 | 4% | ~NZ$3.20 |
| Live blackjack NZ$10/hand · ~60 hands/hr | NZ$600 | ~0.5% basic strategy | ~NZ$3 |
Figures are illustrative. For bonus play: what wagering requirements really cost.
Playing responsibly
Understanding the studio behind a game helps you make informed choices — but no amount of studio knowledge changes the house edge. All casino games are designed so the operator keeps a percentage over time. Set deposit and session limits before playing; NZ casinos reviewed on this site all offer these tools. The Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655) is free and available 24/7.
Thunderkick FAQ for NZ players
Not always. Thunderkick publishes an RTP range of 96–97% — Thunderkick consistently publishes high RTPs and does not offer reduced-RTP operator variants. Some studios supply the same game at multiple RTP settings and each operator chooses which to offer. The only reliable place to confirm the exact setting is the game's own information panel on the specific casino you are playing at.
Thunderkick games are certified by eCOGRA, iTech Labs. Independent testing confirms results are random and match the published maths — it does not mean the game favours the player, as every game has a house edge.
Thunderkick is best known for pokies. Its most popular titles among NZ players include Pink Elephants, Fruit Warp, Esqueleto Explosivo. Thunderkick is a smaller studio with a loyal following among players who prioritise distinctive visual design and fair RTP settings. Like Push Gaming, it does not offer operators reduced-RTP variants. Its catalogue is smaller than the major studios but generally available at NZ-facing casinos that carry premium studios.
Medium to very high — Fruit Warp is very high volatility; 1429 Uncharted Seas is medium-low