Money Train 2 vs Money Train 3 — Original vs Sequel Compared
Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming, June 2020) and Money Train 3 (September 2021) are Relax Gaming's Western extreme-volatility franchise — same Money Cart bonus framework, same special-symbol design philosophy, different iteration of the formula. Money Train 2 defined what contemporary high-volatility bonus-feature design could look like; Money Train 3 extended the framework with additional special-symbol types. The choice between them is subtle and matters most for franchise enthusiasts.
This comparison assesses both on mechanics, RTP, max win, feature structure, and new-player accessibility. For full reviews: Money Train 2 review and Money Train 3 review.
Core Framework — Same Mechanics, Different Extension
Both slots use 5-reel base-game structures with 40 paylines. Both trigger the Money Cart bonus via 3+ bonus symbols — a 3-spin sequence with all non-bonus symbols removed, where bonus symbols carry stake-value multipliers collected at round end. The core commercial character — rare base-game entry into a dramatic bonus round with potential for extreme outcomes — is identical.
The differentiation lies in special-symbol variety. Money Train 2 introduced four distinctive special symbols — Collector (gathers values from other symbols), Payer (distributes values to others), Necromancer (revives previously-removed symbols), Persistent (remains active across multiple spins). These produce rich interaction patterns during the Money Cart bonus. Money Train 3 added extended symbol types — Snake Eye (multiplier potential), Necromancer Plus variants, enhanced Collector/Payer interactions — expanding the interaction space further.
RTP and Max Win
Money Train 2: 96.4% RTP, 50,000x max win. Money Train 3: 96.1% RTP, 100,000x max win. The RTP advantage favours Money Train 2 (0.3 percentage points across extended wagering volume is meaningful). The max-win advantage favours Money Train 3 (double the top-end, though requiring genuinely rare extended bonus sequences to reach).
For wagering-focused play specifically, Money Train 2's RTP edge produces lower expected loss. For players specifically chasing extreme top-end outcomes, Money Train 3's 100,000x headroom matters.
Practical Play Difference — Subtle
In practice, players playing either slot across sustained sessions will experience largely similar outcome distributions. Both produce extreme-volatility variance with most sessions producing losses and occasional sessions producing dramatic wins. The added symbol complexity in Money Train 3 produces richer moment-to-moment visual variety but doesn't dramatically change the mathematical character.
Which Should New Players Try First
Money Train 2. It's the more-tested product with 4+ years of commercial performance and broader player community familiarity — most extreme-volatility-play discussion references Money Train 2 as the baseline. Learning the Money Cart bonus framework on Money Train 2 transfers cleanly to Money Train 3 once players are ready to explore the expanded symbol variety. Starting with Money Train 3 works fine but the extended feature complexity can feel overwhelming for first exposure.
UK Regulatory Context
Both slots exclude bonus-buy in UK distribution (UKGC 2021 prohibition removed the Money Cart bonus-buy option, which is the feature the slots are internationally best known for). UK players access the Money Cart exclusively through base-game bonus-symbol landing at approximately 1-in-200 spin frequency. Both slots are subject to April 2025 slot stake caps. See Relax Gaming casinos UK for operator coverage.
The Verdict — Money Train 2 for Most Players
Money Train 2 wins narrowly for most players. Higher RTP, simpler-but-complete feature design, and broader player community familiarity make it the more accessible and mathematically favourable choice. Money Train 3 wins for two specific audiences: players who have extensively played Money Train 2 and want franchise-continuity with expanded features, and players specifically chasing the 100,000x max-win headroom (a small sub-segment of extreme-volatility enthusiasts).
Both slots are legitimately excellent extreme-volatility flagships; neither is a bad choice. The recommendation is "start with 2, progress to 3" rather than "2 is better than 3" — the two complement rather than replace each other in a comprehensive Relax Gaming slot rotation.
Where to Play Both
Casumo, Spinyoo, Casushi all carry deep Relax Gaming catalogues including both Money Train 2 and Money Train 3. 10Bet, Megaways Casino also carry both.
Related extreme-vol comparisons: Mental vs Wanted Dead or a Wild. Related Relax content: see Relax Gaming casinos UK. Related extreme-vol reviews: Mental, Dead or Alive 2, Tombstone RIP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has higher RTP, Money Train 2 or Money Train 3?
Money Train 2 at 96.4% vs Money Train 3 at 96.1% — meaningful across wagering volume.
Which has higher max-win potential?
Money Train 3 at 100,000x vs Money Train 2 at 50,000x — double the headroom.
How different are the mechanics?
Same Money Cart bonus framework with 3-spin feature. Money Train 3 adds extended special-symbol types (Snake Eye, Necromancer Plus) to Money Train 2's baseline set.
Can I buy the bonus on either in the UK?
No. UKGC 2021 prohibition removed the Money Cart bonus-buy option from UK versions of both slots.
Which should new players try first?
Money Train 2. More-tested product with broader community familiarity; simpler feature set for learning the framework.
Are they interchangeable?
Mechanically similar enough that they don't dramatically replace each other. Best approached as complementary — play Money Train 2 first, add Money Train 3 for variety once familiar.