Gaming machine and method having bonus features with progressive win options

A method of providing a wagering game under control of a gaming machine electronic controller, the method comprising:

• providing a first data structure stored in a memory of the gaming machine comprising data corresponding to a reel-type game presentations including a set of virtual reel strips including game symbols;
• providing a second data structure stored in the memory comprising data representing a set player interactive bonus objects;
• providing a third data structure stored in the memory comprising data representing graphical indicators of progressive prize awards;
• receiving a player deposit through a credit input device and in response activating a credit meter value that establishes a player credit balance;
• activate the first data structure to cause the game presentation to be displayed by at least one of the displays;
• in response to a wager activation by a player on one of the player input devices, cause the game presentation to display conducting a base game including spinning the sets of virtual reel strips and stopping to produce a respective randomly selected outcome, and evaluate the outcomes for winning patterns each having an associated credit award;
• determine if a bonus trigger occurs in the outcome, and if so, activate the second data structure and the third data structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result, comprising:
• (a) displaying the graphical indicators of progressive prize awards;
• (b) displaying the group of player interactive bonus objects in a gaming area of the display below the graphical indicators;
• (c) receiving repeated player selection of the player interactive objects to reveal progressive prize symbols which persist on the gaming area between player selections;
• (d) determining if three matching progressive prize symbols have been revealed, and if so awarding a corresponding progressive prize;
• (e) determining if a designated progressive eliminator symbol has been revealed, and if so displaying a graphical interaction between an element in the gaming area of the display and the graphical indicators, the graphical interaction including showing a lowest value graphical indicator being removed from availability;
• and
• receive a player cash out input through the player controls and, in response, initiate a payout of the credit balance.

A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium holding a program product for execution by a controller of a gaming machine having one or more video displays, the program product including machine instructions for:

• operating a credit input device in communication with the controller to accept a physical item associated with a monetary value and, in response, establishing a player credit balance;
• controlling a plurality of player-activated input devices in communication with the controller for setting wagers covered by the credit balance and initiating games for determining the outcomes of the wagers;
• providing a first data structure stored in a memory comprising data corresponding to a reel-type game presentations including a set of virtual reel strips including game symbols;
• providing a second data structure stored in memory comprising data representing a set player interactive bonus objects;
• providing a third data structure stored in memory comprising data representing graphical indicators of progressive prize awards;
• activating the first data structure to cause the game presentation data to be displayed by at least one of the displays;
• in response to a wager activation by a player on one of the player input devices, causing the game presentation to display conducting a base game including spinning the sets of virtual reel strips and stopping to produce a respective randomly selected outcome, and evaluate the outcomes for winning patterns each having an associated credit award;
• determining if a bonus trigger occurs in the outcome, and if so, activate the second data structure and the third data structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result, comprising:
• (a) displaying the graphical indicators of progressive prize awards;
• (b) displaying the group of player interactive bonus objects in a gaming area of the display below the graphical indicators;
• (c) receiving repeated player selection of the player interactive objects to reveal progressive prize symbols which persist on the gaming area between player selections;
• (d) determining if three matching progressive prize symbols have been revealed, and if so awarding a corresponding progressive prize;
• (e) determining if a designated progressive eliminator symbol has been revealed, and if so a graphical interaction between an element in the gaming area of the display and the graphical indicators, the graphical interaction including showing a lowest value graphical indicator being removed from availability;
• and
• receiving a player cash out input through the player controls and, in response, initiate a payout of the credit balance.