What are Megaways slots?
Megaways Slots is an online slot game developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG) that revolutionized the slot machine industry with its unique and dynamic reel structure. These games are known for their high level of volatility and massive ways to win, which can exceed 100,000 combinations on a single spin. This is a drastic shift from traditional slots, which typically offer a fixed number of paylines.
How does the Megaways mechanic work?
The Megaways mechanic uses a random reel modifier system that changes the number of symbols that appear on each reel during a single spin. Here’s a breakdown of how this works:
- Each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols on each spin. The number of symbols is determined randomly, affecting how you win.
- The core idea behind Megaways is the calculation of winning ways. The number of potential winning combinations is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if six reels each show seven symbols, the number of Megaways is 7x7x7x7x7x7 = 117,649.
- Most Megaways slots feature cascading reels, meaning winning symbols are removed from the reels after a win. New symbols drop down or slide in to fill the gaps, potentially creating new wins from a single spin.
- Megaways slots often include additional features like free spins, unlimited win multipliers, mystery symbols, and wilds, adding excitement and opportunities to win.
- Some Megaways games add an extra horizontal reel above or below the main reels, increasing the number of symbols and the potential for winning combinations.
How to play Megaways slots?
Want to get a thrilling and dynamic experience with the potential for numerous winning combinations on each spin? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Megaways slots:
- Choose a Megaways slot
Start by selecting a Megaways slot from an online casino that hosts games from providers like Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, or others who license the Megaways engine. Each game can have different themes, features, and variations in the Megaways mechanic. - Understand the game’s paytable and features
Before spinning the reels, review the game’s paytable and rules. This will help you understand the value of each symbol, how the Megaways mechanic works in that specific game, the number of possible ways to win, and the special features like cascading reels, free spins, or multipliers. - Set your bet
Adjust your bet size according to your budget. In Megaways slots, you can usually change the total bet amount per spin but not the number of active paylines, since the Megaways mechanic dynamically adjusts the number of ways to win. - Spin the reels
Hit the spin button to start playing. The reels will display a random number of symbols per reel, typically between two and seven, altering the number of Megaways or ways to win for that spin. Watch as the reels stop and see if you’ve won based on the game’s paylines and winning combinations. - Watch for cascading reels
If the game features cascading reels, any symbols that form part of a winning combination will disappear once the win has been counted. New symbols will then drop down or slide across to fill the spaces, potentially creating new winning combinations with the same spin. This feature will continue until no more wins are formed. - Trigger the special features
Keep an eye out for special symbols such as scatters or bonus symbols. Landing the required number of these symbols typically triggers bonus features like free spins or a bonus round, often with additional perks like increased multipliers or special wilds. - Use free spins and bonus rounds
If you trigger a feature round, take advantage of the enhanced gameplay. Free spins rounds in Megaways slots often include extra features like unlimited win multipliers, which increase with each cascade.
Special symbols and features in Megaways slots
Megaways slots have special symbols and features that enhance gameplay and increase winning potential. Here’s a rundown of common symbols and features you’ll encounter in most Megaways slots:
Special symbols
- Wild symbols: Common in many slot games, wilds in Megaways slots help form winning combinations by substituting for other symbols, except for scatters and bonus symbols.
- Scatter symbols: These are key to unlocking bonus features such as free spins or bonus rounds. Hitting three or more scatters anywhere on the reels will trigger these special features.
- Mystery symbols: Found in some Megaways games, mystery symbols transform into any other symbol (except special symbols like wilds and scatters) when they land on the reels, potentially leading to unexpected wins.
- Multiplier symbols: These symbols multiply the winnings by a specific number. They can appear during the base game or, more commonly, during free spins rounds, sometimes with values that increase with each cascade or win.
Core features
- Cascading reels: Also known as tumbling or falling reels, this feature removes winning symbols from the reels after a payout, allowing new symbols to fall into their place. This can create additional wins from a single spin.
- Free spins: Triggered by landing a set number of scatter symbols, free spins in Megaways slots often come with bonuses like increasing multipliers, expanding symbols, or additional wilds.
- Unlimited win multiplier: This feature is commonly activated during free spins. Each successive cascade or win increases the multiplier, with no upper limit, boosting the potential for big wins.
- Feature buy: Some Megaways slots offer a feature buy option, allowing players to pay a premium to automatically trigger the main bonus feature, usually the free spins round, without waiting to hit the necessary scatter symbols naturally.
- Horizontal reel: An additional reel that spins horizontally, often found above or below the main reels. This feature adds extra symbols to the game, increasing the number of potential winning combinations, especially by extending the length of combinations in adjacent reels.
Megaways slots pros and cons
Megaways slots, with their innovative mechanics and dynamic gameplay, have advantages and disadvantages that affect players’ experiences. Here are some of the key pros and cons:
- One of the most significant advantages of Megaways slots is the enormous number of ways to win, sometimes exceeding 100,000 per spin. This vastly increases the potential for large payouts.
- The variable reel sizes and the random number of symbols per spin keep the gameplay exciting and unpredictable. This variability adds a fresh layer to the gameplay compared to traditional slots.
- Megaways slots are known for their rich features, such as cascading reels, free spins, unlimited multipliers, and mystery symbols, which enhance the gaming experience and offer more ways to win.
- Many Megaways slots are high-volatility, which means they can offer substantial payouts. This attracts players who want big wins rather than frequent smaller payouts.
- Many top game developers have licensed the Megaways mechanic from Big Time Gaming, resulting in various games with unique themes and additional features.
- For some players, the changing reel sizes and the many possible ways to win can be overwhelming and hard to follow, especially for those accustomed to traditional slot formats.
- While the high volatility can lead to big wins, it also means that wins can be infrequent. This can be frustrating for players on a budget or those who prefer consistent, smaller wins.
- Some Megaways games offer a feature buy option that can be quite expensive. While it provides immediate access to potentially lucrative bonus rounds, it’s a risky investment that doesn’t always guarantee a good return.
- To compensate for the lucrative bonus features and high payout potential during free spins, the base game payouts in Megaways slots can be relatively low.
- In some jurisdictions, features like the feature buy option have been restricted or banned due to concerns that they encourage excessive gambling.
Popular Megaways slots
Below, you can find some of the most popular Megaways slots, each offering unique features and exciting gameplay:
Bonanza Megaways
Developed by Big Time Gaming, Bonanza Megaways features 6 reels and up to 7 rows with an RTP of around 96%. It’s known for its high volatility and offers a maximum win of up to 12,000 times your stake. The game includes wilds and scatters and features carts above reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, adding extra symbols for more winning potential. Bonanza is celebrated for its free spins with unlimited win multipliers and cascading reels, which allow continuous wins on a single spin.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
This slot is a collaboration between Red Tiger Gaming and NetEnt, incorporating 6 reels and up to 7 rows with an RTP of about 96%. The volatility is medium to high, with the potential to win over 20,000 times your bet. It includes wild symbols, unbreakable wilds, and an earthquake feature that removes low-paying symbols. The game’s standout features are the free spins with increasing multipliers and the innovative unbreakable wilds.
Extra Chilli Megaways
Big Time Gaming’s Extra Chilli Megaways offers 6 reels with an additional row below the main grid. The RTP stands impressively at approximately 96.82%, and the game is highly volatile, allowing wins up to 20,000 times your stake. It includes wilds, scatters, and an extra reel that adds symbols to reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. Known for its Feature Drop system, the game allows players to buy into the free spins round directly and features a gamble option to increase the number of free spins.
Twin Spin Megaways
NetEnt’s Twin Spin Megaways brings 6 reels with varying rows up to 7 and an RTP of about 96.04%. The game is highly volatile, with a max win potential of 38,000 times your bet. It features wilds and avalanche features, with twin reels that link and show identical symbols, which can expand to cover all six reels for massive payouts.
Genie Jackpots Megaways
From Blueprint Gaming, Genie Jackpots Megaways features 6 reels and up to 5 rows, with an RTP of roughly 96.52% and high volatility. Players can win up to 10,000 times their stake. The game includes wilds and mystery symbols that transform into other symbols to facilitate wins. It’s known for its genie power spin modifiers that randomly activate, offering enhanced features like wild megaways, genie wilds, and bonus megaways for dynamic gameplay.
Play Megaways slots for free
On our website, you can explore various Megaways slots available for free play. This option is perfect for both new and seasoned players looking to engage with these dynamic games without any financial risk. Each game on our platform is meticulously reviewed to ensure it meets high standards of quality and entertainment. You can enjoy these games directly on our site without registering or downloading.
Playing Megaways slots for free is a great way to familiarize yourself with their complex mechanics, such as cascading reels and variable paylines. Our demos include all the original features of the games, like the extensive paylines, special symbols, and bonus rounds. This allows you to test different strategies and understand the game mechanics thoroughly, which is invaluable before you start betting real money.
Play Megaways slots for real money
When you feel confident and ready to ramp up the excitement by playing for real money, our website guides you to the best online casinos offering Megaways slots. We carefully evaluate these casinos to ensure they provide a safe, secure, and fair gaming experience. These platforms are licensed by recognized regulatory authorities, ensuring they adhere to strict player protection and game fairness standards.
Playing Megaways slots for real money heightens the thrill and gives you a chance to win significant payouts. The casinos we recommend offer robust security measures, diverse gaming options, and enticing bonuses to enhance your playing experience. Transitioning from free play to real money games on these trusted sites is seamless, providing you with a secure environment to potentially win big while enjoying the innovative gameplay that Megaways slots offer.
Best online casinos with Megaways slots
- Wager: 40x
- Min Dep: €5
- Win Rate: 94.22%
- Wager: 40x
- Min Dep: €10
- Win Rate: 96.18%
- Wager: 40x
- Min Dep: €5
- Win Rate: 95.92%
Final thoughts on Megaways slots
Megaways slots have revolutionized the online slot industry with their innovative mechanics and dynamic gameplay. These games offer players unprecedented excitement and variability, thanks to the patented Megaways engine, which alters the number of symbols on each reel with every spin. This feature creates thousands of potential ways to win and incorporates cascading reels, multiple bonus rounds, and intense volatility that can lead to substantial payouts.
The allure of Megaways slots lies in their ability to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Each spin feels unique due to the shifting reel structure, and the inclusion of features like free spins, unlimited multipliers, and mystery symbols enhances the potential for big wins. While these slots are favored for their high winning potential, they also require patience and a sizable bankroll to handle their high volatility and the periods between significant wins.
