Concrete Cowboys review | New slot from ELK Studios

Concrete Cowboys is a video slot from ELK Studios built around a 5x5 grid where four Collectors, coloured gems and several feature symbols interact. Building Time, Employee of the Month and Heaven each add a different mini game, while the Bonus Game can continue the progression on the current grid. The maximum win is 10,000× the stake.

Game information

• provider: ELK Studios
• release date: 24 September 2026
• RTP: 94%
• volatility: high
• grid: 5 x 5
• mechanic: CollectR™
• maximum win: 10,000× the stake
• features: Collectors, Building Time, Employee of the Month, Heaven, Bonus Game and Super Bonus
• type: video slot

What is Concrete Cowboys?

Concrete Cowboys revolves around four Collectors that move across the 5x5 grid and collect gems matching their own colour. As a Collector moves, it also picks up any feature symbols in its path.

The game includes three separate mini games. Building Time focuses on completing rows and increasing multipliers, Employee of the Month sends Collectors up ladders to gather Coin wins, and Heaven is triggered when all Collectors are removed. A separate Bonus Game and Super Bonus add another layer to the feature structure.

Main features

• 5x5 grid
• four Collectors
• coloured gems
• CollectR™ mechanic
• Building Time
• Employee of the Month
• Heaven
• Bonus Game
• Super Bonus
• grid expansion
• symbol upgrades
• maximum win of 10,000× the stake

Collectors

The four Collectors each have their own colour and collect only gems that match that colour.

When a Collector moves across the grid, it gathers every matching gem and any feature symbols found along its path.

The Collectors therefore sit at the centre of most of the game’s mechanics. Their movement determines which gems disappear, which feature symbols are collected and when certain mini games can be activated.

Coloured gems

The gems appear in different colours corresponding to the four Collectors.

A Collector only gathers gems of its own colour. This means the same spin can create different collection paths depending on which Collectors move and which gem colours are available on the grid.

The gem collection mechanic also interacts with feature symbols that can appear among the regular symbols.

Building Time

Building Time is triggered when the corresponding feature symbol is collected.

This mini game revolves around completing rows. Each completed row increases the multiplier.

As more rows are completed, the multiplier can continue to build, increasing the value of later wins during the feature.

Employee of the Month

Employee of the Month can trigger when all paying symbols have been cleared from the grid.

In this mini game, ladders appear and allow the Collectors to climb through the building. As they move upward, they collect Coin wins.

The feature keeps the same Collector characters from the base game, but changes the movement from travelling across the grid to climbing upward through the building.

Heaven

Heaven is triggered when all Collectors have been eliminated.

The feature uses an 8x8 grid and upgrades all paying symbols to their maximum level.

This makes Heaven noticeably different from the standard 5x5 setup by combining a much larger grid with fully upgraded paying symbols.

Bonus Game

The Bonus Game is triggered by collecting 3 Bonus symbols.

The feature begins with 5 bonus drops on the current grid size. If one of the triggering Bonus symbols is a Super Bonus symbol, the Super Bonus starts instead.

The Bonus Game therefore continues from the current state of the grid and can combine the existing CollectR™ mechanics, Collectors and symbol upgrades.

How Collectors and features work together

The different mechanics in Concrete Cowboys are closely connected. Collectors move across the grid, collect gems that match their own colour and also pick up feature symbols found along their path.

This means the Collectors do more than simply remove gems. Their movement also determines when mini games and other mechanics can be activated, while changes to the grid can in turn create new routes and collection opportunities.

Building Time and increasing multipliers

Building Time starts when the corresponding feature symbol is collected.

The mini game focuses on completing rows. Each completed row increases the multiplier, allowing the feature to build in value as more of the grid is completed.

This gives Building Time a different structure from a standard respin feature because the progression is tied to row completion and multiplier growth.

Employee of the Month

Employee of the Month can be triggered when all paying symbols have been cleared from the grid.

During this mini game, ladders appear and the Collectors climb upward through the building while collecting Coin wins.

The feature keeps the Collector theme at its centre but changes the movement from travelling across the main grid to climbing through the building.

Heaven

Heaven is triggered when all Collectors have been eliminated.

This mini game uses an expanded 8x8 grid, and all paying symbols are upgraded to their maximum level.

Heaven therefore changes both the size of the playing area and the strength of the paying symbols at the same time.

Bonus Game and Super Bonus

The Bonus Game is triggered by collecting 3 Bonus symbols.

It begins with 5 bonus drops and starts on the grid size that is active at the moment the feature is triggered.

If at least one of the 3 triggering Bonus symbols is a Super Bonus symbol, the Super Bonus starts instead of the regular Bonus Game.

This means the state of the grid before the bonus can influence the feature’s starting setup.

Grid expansion

Concrete Cowboys can expand its playing area during certain features.

The base game starts on a 5x5 grid, while Heaven uses an 8x8 grid. The Bonus Game also uses the grid size that is active when the feature begins.

Grid expansion therefore works together with the Collectors, symbol upgrades and mini games rather than acting as a separate standalone mechanic.

Symbol upgrades

Symbols in Concrete Cowboys can be upgraded to stronger levels.

This is especially visible in Heaven, where all paying symbols are automatically upgraded to their maximum level.

The game therefore uses both grid size and symbol level as part of its progression system.

X-iter™

Like many modern ELK Studios slots, Concrete Cowboys includes X-iter™.

X-iter™ offers alternative game modes that provide a more direct route to selected features or bonus mechanics. The available options differ in setup and stake requirement, creating a different route through the game compared with the standard base game.

The exact X-iter™ variants and conditions are shown in the game.

Why Concrete Cowboys stands out

Concrete Cowboys stands out through its combination of four moving Collectors, coloured gems, grid expansion and three different mini games.

Building Time increases multipliers by completing rows, Employee of the Month sends Collectors up ladders to collect Coin wins, and Heaven switches to an 8x8 grid with fully upgraded paying symbols.

The Bonus Game also carries forward the current grid size, linking the progression of earlier spins directly to the feature that follows.

Is Concrete Cowboys worth playing?

Concrete Cowboys is designed for players who enjoy video slots where the grid changes during play and several features build on the same central mechanic.

This ELK Studios release combines CollectR™, moving Collectors, three mini games, grid expansion, a Bonus Game, Super Bonus and a maximum win of 10,000× the stake.

Frequently asked questions about Concrete Cowboys

When was Concrete Cowboys released?

Concrete Cowboys was released on 24 September 2026.

Who developed Concrete Cowboys?

Concrete Cowboys was developed by ELK Studios.

What is the RTP?

The version available at Oranje Palace has an RTP of 94%.

What is the volatility?

The volatility is high.

What is the maximum win?

The maximum win is 10,000× the stake.

How large is the base-game grid?

Concrete Cowboys starts on a 5x5 grid.

What do the Collectors do?

The four Collectors move across the grid and collect gems matching their own colour, together with feature symbols found in their path.

What is Building Time?

Building Time is a mini game where completing rows increases the multiplier.

What is Employee of the Month?

Employee of the Month can trigger when all paying symbols have been cleared. The Collectors then climb ladders through the building and collect Coin wins.

What is Heaven?

Heaven is triggered when all Collectors have been eliminated. It uses an 8x8 grid and upgrades all paying symbols to their maximum level.

How do you trigger the Bonus Game?

The Bonus Game is triggered by collecting 3 Bonus symbols.

How many bonus drops does the Bonus Game start with?

The Bonus Game starts with 5 bonus drops.

When does the Super Bonus start?

If at least one of the 3 triggering Bonus symbols is a Super Bonus symbol, the Super Bonus starts instead.

Does Concrete Cowboys have X-iter™?

Yes. X-iter™ offers alternative game modes that provide quicker access to selected features or bonus mechanics.

About this review

This review has been prepared using the official product specifications provided by ELK Studios together with an editorial assessment of the gameplay. The game features, bonus mechanics and technical information are based on the information available at the time of the game's release.

Oranje Palace publishes this review as a licensed online casino in the Netherlands. Oranje Palace is operated by Holland Gaming Technology Ltd. under licence number 1631/01.272.522, issued by the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, Ksa).

Please gamble responsibly. 18+