BuffaloAscensionvsBuffaloLink:WhichSlotMachineShouldYouPlay?
Buffalo Ascension is a Accumulator game while Buffalo Link is a Must-Hit-By — different play style entirely.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Buffalo Ascension | Buffalo Link |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Aristocrat | Aristocrat |
| Mechanic | Accumulator | Must-Hit-By |
| Risk Level | High | High |
| Trigger Display | Ways counter at 3,360+ or reel 2/4 maxed out | Play at 1,610+ on the counter |
| Recommended (when to sit) | When the ways counter shows 3360+ or reel 2/4 is maxed out — the machine is one arrow away from the reel-top bonus… | 1610 |
| Exit Rule | Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold. | It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+. |
| Summary | Eagle Ascension is the same game. 3 middle reels can expand higher on arrow symbol hit. The bonus on top of the reel is triggered when the reel is 7 high and an arrow symbol hits in this reel. | As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive. |
Buffalo Ascension
- Manufacturer
- Aristocrat
- Mechanic
- Accumulator
- Risk Level
- High
- Trigger Display
- Ways counter at 3,360+ or reel 2/4 maxed out
- Recommended (when to sit)
- When the ways counter shows 3360+ or reel 2/4 is maxed out — the machine is one arrow away from the reel-top bonus…
- Exit Rule
- Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold.
- Summary
- Eagle Ascension is the same game. 3 middle reels can expand higher on arrow symbol hit. The bonus on top of the reel is triggered when the reel is 7 high and an arrow symbol hits in this reel.
Buffalo Link
- Manufacturer
- Aristocrat
- Mechanic
- Must-Hit-By
- Risk Level
- High
- Trigger Display
- Play at 1,610+ on the counter
- Recommended (when to sit)
- 1610
- Exit Rule
- It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+.
- Summary
- As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive.
When to play each
Buffalo Ascension
AccumulatorSit when: When the ways counter shows 3360+ or reel 2/4 is maxed out — the machine is one arrow away from the reel-top bonus…
Exit: Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold.
Read the Buffalo Ascension guideBuffalo Link
Must-Hit-BySit when: 1610
Exit: It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+.
Read the Buffalo Link guideBoth guides
Aristocrat
Buffalo Ascension
Eagle Ascension is the same game. 3 middle reels can expand higher on arrow symbol hit. The bonus on top of the reel is triggered when the reel is 7 high and an arrow symbol hits in this reel.
View full guide
Aristocrat
Buffalo Link
As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive.
View full guide
Common questions
Neither machine is universally better — it depends on the state you find on the floor. Buffalo Ascension is a Aristocrat Accumulator game, while Buffalo Link is a Aristocrat Must-Hit-By game. Read each machine's trigger value before you sit down: whichever is closer to its play-at threshold is the better play right now.
Both machines surface their trigger state on the cabinet itself. Buffalo Ascension: Ways counter at 3,360+ or reel 2/4 maxed out. Buffalo Link: Play at 1,610+ on the counter. Compare visible meter against the recommended threshold in each guide.
Both Buffalo Ascension and Buffalo Link are commonly placed on US casino floors. Use our venue map at /casino-map to filter casinos by manufacturer (Aristocrat) and see which floors carry recent installs.
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