The Chicken Road franchise is a series of games from InOut Games, a leading European studio with a record of popular casino pokie releases. Here, we examine the gameplay and user experience of the original Chicken Road and the sequel, Chicken Road 2. We help you decide which pokie to play based on mechanics, win potential, and special features.
What is Chicken Road?
Chicken Road is a fast-paced arcade-style game where players must guide the chicken across busy lanes and tricky paths. The challenge lies in navigating the exclusive chicken road, dodging hazards while racing against time. With simple mechanics but addictive gameplay, it’s a fun pick for quick sessions and deserves a solid spot on any casual gamer’s list.
Chicken Road vs Chicken Road 2 Casino Games Comparison
Check the comparison of the basic features of two popular pokies. Try demo versions of both before playing them in real money casinos.
| Feature | Chicken Road | Chicken Road 2 |
| Release Date | 04/04/2024 | 15/04/2025 |
| Graphics & Style | 2D retro-style arcade visuals, set within an oven | Enhanced HD, smoother animations, modern sound design, set on a busy highway |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 98% | 95.5% |
| Volatility | Varied & adjustable | Varied & adjustable |
| Betting Range | $0.01 – $150 | $0.01 – $200 |
| Max Multiplier | Up to 3,203,384x in hardcore mode | Up to 3,608,855x in hardcore mode |
| Max Win (Per Round) | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Step-by-step cash-out; RNG traps; four difficulty levels | Step-by-step cash-out; RNG traps; four difficulty levels |
| Difficulty Levels | Easy, Medium, Hard, Hardcore | Easy, Medium, Hard, Hardcore |
| Special Features | Provably fair, manual cashout strategy | Provably fair, manual cashout strategy |
Game Concept & Core Mechanics
These are very similar games. They’re both crash-style casino online games with increasing multipliers, but they differ in theme and a few other key areas:
Chicken Road
When Chicken Road casino game launched, I had never played a game like it. It is more than just a classic chicken crossing the road idea. Sure, I’d played Spribe’s Aviator and a few other crash games, but the simple novelty of helping a chicken from one side of the screen to the other appealed to me.
It features a built-in runner mechanic. When you make it from one spot to the next, the multiplier increases. The game plays out inside an oven, and if you take one risk too many, your chicken will be fried!
While there are several other chicken-themed crash games (Uncrossable Rush, for instance), Chicken Road is unique because it happens inside an oven. Most other chicken crash games, including Chicken Road 2, play out across a busy highway.
One of the most appealing things about Chicken Road gambling game is the adjustable levels. I’m not a fan of super high volatility casino pokies, as I target bankroll preservation via regular small wins. So, being able to play on easy and medium difficulty was a big draw to me, as I often find crash games too volatile for my liking.
Chicken Road 2
It is a natural evolution of the original game. It doesn’t change anything too drastically but offers slightly different gameplay to build on its predecessor’s success.
The most notable difference between 2 and the original is the setting. While Chicken Road sees you navigate a fiery inferno within an oven, Chicken Road 2 takes place on a busy highway, which you must navigate without your chicken getting squashed by zooming cars.
I like the switch to the great outdoors, but feel that Chicken Road 2 demo is too similar to the many other chicken-themed crash games already out there. It’s just my view, but the oven theme in the original game is one of the standout things about this crash game, and it’s why I still prefer the original.
Gameplay Comparison
After playing both of these games for several hours, there are a few differences to be aware of relating to the core mechanics, graphics, and features:
Core Mechanics
Frankly, the core mechanics in these games are the same. The goal is to lead the chicken game from one side of the screen to the next. The chicken starts in a doorway in the original version and on the pavement in the sequel.
In the original, each line has a flaming grill at the bottom, which may or may not fry your chicken at any time. In the sequel, each line features zooming traffic, which could squash your bird at any stage.
When you make it from one line to the next, the multiplier increases, and the amount attached to the yellow CASH OUT button at the bottom of the screen gets progressively higher. In both games, you can click the CASH OUT button or green GO button anytime.
New Features in Chicken Road 2 Game
Given the popularity of the original crash game, it’s unsurprising that InOut didn’t tear up the script and start again. For this reason, the two pokies are very similar, and there aren’t many new features to report. That said, there are some notable differences.
- The original game has a higher return to player percentage (98%) than the new release (95.5%), indicating that it offers better long-term payouts.
- On the other hand, the maximum win in Chicken Road 2 per round is double that of the original, offering a $20,000 maximum win rather than $10,000.
- The bet limits have also changed. While both games let you bet from just $0.01 per round, the max bet in Chicken Road 2 is $200, $50 higher than in the original.
So, if you’re a high roller keen to make big bets per game, Chicken Road 2 is the better option. But if you’re like me and are eager to preserve your bankroll with low-value wagers on easy difficulty, the 98% RTP makes the original Chicken Road app game more appealing.
Visuals & Design
As with the newer game, it’s unsurprising that the visuals and graphics in Chicken Road 2 are slightly better than those in the original. I say slightly because I’m a big fan of the original game’s simplicity, and I think this is what makes it work.
That said, the original is set inside an oven, with a boring blue/grey background. The only lively aspect of the original is the flame flickering up from each grill at the bottom of the screen. Otherwise, the game is a little bland from an aesthetic perspective.
New Outdoor Setting
💬 Editor’s Note: In the newer game, the plump white chicken (a carbon copy of the original bird) swaps the fiery inferno for the great outdoors. She begins the game on the pavement to the left of the screen, with a tree and a lamppost on either side.
Highway Features & Traffic
The multi-lane highway features manhole covers to replace the original’s flaming grills, but the moving traffic makes this game more visually appealing. Trucks, cars, and taxis zoom across the lanes, hoping to turn your plump white friend into roadkill.
Barrier Protection
If the chicken makes it successfully onto the highway, a black and yellow barrier appears, protecting her from subsequent damage while you plot your next move. This is a quirky feature and a nice addition that helps the sequel stand out.
As much as I like the original’s simplicity, there’s more happening visually in Chicken Road 2. The moving traffic seems to add jeopardy to the game. While the mechanics are fundamentally the same, I’d recommend Chicken Road 2 if you want something more visually appealing.
Performance & Technical Improvements
There was only one year between the releases, so both pokies perform well on mobile platforms. This is not like the case with some older classic slots getting a full multimedia makeover. Chicken Road and its sequel are modern, mobile-optimised crash games, playable on PC, smartphone, and tablet.
While playing each game, we didn’t encounter any bugs, glitches, or issues. Our experience is echoed by many of the positive user reviews of both Chicken Road games, with very few players reporting technical problems or glitches.
💬 Editor’s Note: One thing we did notice is that if you leave Chicken Road versus Chicken Road 2 real money games open on your browser for a while without playing (20+ minutes), the pokie will time out. You might see the message “an error occurred while processing the bet.” If you see this, you must exit the game and reload it.
Community Feedback & Reception
Chicken Road has a solid reputation on Trustpilot based on 50 reviews. Reading between the lines, most negative reviews gave bad feedback because the pokie didn’t offer payouts. But as the developer mentioned in their responses, most players play the Chicken Road demo version for free, so obviously, there isn’t a chance of winning real-money prizes.
Most people who played it enjoyed it. This review confirms it.
Chicken Road 2 has even better reviews based on 80+ ratings on Trustpilot.
Overall, Chicken Road vs Chicken Road 2 have received good reviews from over 100 verified players, highlighting that both titles are worth checking out.
Strengths & Weaknesses
If you’re still on the fence about whether to play Chicken Road or the sequel, browse through the following pros and cons to see which title best suits your gaming preferences at online casinos in Australia:
Chicken Road Advantages
- ✅ Higher RTP. Chicken Road has a higher RTP than Chicken Road 2 (98% vs 95.5%), so the game offers better value gameplay in the long run.
- ✅ More widely available. Our research found the original Chicken Road to be more widely available at online casinos in Australia. Not all the sites we reviewed stock the sequel yet, but this may change as the pokie becomes more popular in the coming months.
- ✅ Unique theme. Chicken Road free demo takes place inside an oven, and the bird will get fried if you don’t cash out in time. This is a unique and fun theme, as most chicken crash games occur on a busy highway, as in Chicken Road 2.
Chicken Road 2 Advantages
- ✅ Higher max win. InOut increased the max win per game in Chicken Road 2 to $20,000, up from $10,000 in the original.
- ✅ Higher bets supported. If you’re a high roller, Chicken Road 2 is a better option, as you can wager up to $200 per game, compared to $150 in the original.
- ✅ Improved visuals. Free Chicken Road 2 is more visually appealing than the original release, which some people perceive as a little bland.
Common Weaknesses
- ❌ Extreme volatility. The hard and hardcore levels in both games aren’t for the faint-hearted. In other words, if you want to play for the biggest wins in Chicken Run and Chicken Run 2, you must tolerate extremely volatile gameplay.
- ❌ Can be overly consuming. Crash games like Chicken Rush and Chicken Rush 2 can be overly consuming and challenging to step away from. We recommend setting your limits and taking breaks from gameplay to preserve your bankroll and to gamble responsibly.
- ❌ Off-putting soundtracks. This is just my view, but the soundtrack in both pokies can be grating, and they get on my nerves! You can toggle the sound on and off via the settings tab to play in peace and quiet.
Australian Online Casinos that Feature Chicken Road
Final Verdict on Chicken Road vs Chicken Road 2 Review
So, which game rules the roost? This depends on what you’re looking for. If bankroll preservation is your objective, the original Chicken Road is better. If you want to play for the biggest wins and wish to place higher wagers per round, opt for Chicken Road 2.
Ultimately, both slots are fun and worth playing, with very similar mechanics and gameplay. Sign up for the top Australian casinos today to play the Chicken Road and Chicken Road 2 for real-money prizes.
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