Gaming machine and game having symbol collection and win-improving purchase features

Abstract

Games include a symbol collection feature, such as games in which a player collects symbols during the play of a base game, which collected symbols may be used in the play of a bonus game. The collected symbols may preferably improve the probability of the player winning the one or more bonus events or improve the probability of the player achieving a higher payout or winnings as a result of play of the one or more bonus events. Yet another aspect of the invention comprises games which permit a player to purchase symbols or game-extending features. In one embodiment, a player may purchase special symbols for use in improving the probability of their winning a bonus game. In another embodiment, a player may purchase spins or other game-extending or win-improving features for use in improving the probability of their winning a bonus game. The features might comprise, for example, free spins, wild symbols or other elements.

1 . A method of playing a game at a gaming machine comprising the machine-implemented steps of:
 accepting a wager from at least one player to play a game;   presenting a base game to said at least one player, said base game comprising displaying a plurality of base game symbols;   at one or more times as part of said base game, awarding one or more bonus symbols;   displaying each awarded bonus symbol as a collected bonus symbol;   determining if an outcome of said base game comprises a winning or losing base game outcome with reference to one or more of said base game symbols;   determining if a bonus game has been triggered as a result of the play of said base game and, if so:   presenting said bonus game to said at least one player, wherein said collected bonus symbols are usable in said bonus game to improve the probability of said bonus game resulting in a winning bonus game outcome or a higher paying winning bonus game outcome; and   determining if said outcome of said bonus game.   
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base game comprises a matching game comprising displaying at least one set of base symbols and a plurality of game symbols in a matrix and determining if any of said base symbols said game symbols. 
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bonus symbols are not used in determining the outcome of said base game. 
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of awarding one or more bonus symbols comprises randomly displaying one or more bonus symbols with said base game symbols. 
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of awarding one or more bonus symbols comprises awarding one or more bonus symbols in a bonus symbol awarding event of said base game. 
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein one or more of said bonus symbols prevent at least one occurrence of said bonus game ending. 
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bonus game is triggered if at least one specific outcome of said base game is achieved. 
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bonus game is triggered if at least one particular base game symbol is displayed during the play of said base game. 
     
     
         9 . A method of playing a game at a gaming machine comprising the machine-implemented steps of:
 accepting a wager from at least one player to play a game;   presenting a base game to said at least one player, said base game comprising displaying a plurality of base game symbols;   determining if an outcome of said base game comprises a winning or losing base game outcome with reference to one or more of said base game symbols;   determining if a bonus game has been triggered as a result of the play of said base game and, if so:   offering said player the opportunity to purchase one or more features which are usable in said bonus game to improve the probability of said bonus game resulting in a winning bonus game outcome or a higher paying winning bonus game outcome;   if said player purchases one or more of said features, presenting said bonus game including said features;   if said player does not purchase one or more of said features, presenting said bonus game without said features; and   determining if said outcome of said bonus game.   
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said bonus game comprises spinning one or more reels and at least one of said features comprises at least one additional spin of said reels. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said step of offering occurs before said presenting of said bonus game. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said step of offering occurs during the presentation of said game. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said feature comprises at least one bonus symbol. 
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said bonus game comprises a matching game comprising matching base symbols to one or more game symbols.