Megaways Slots

More on Megaways

Megaways is a game engine created by Australian developers Big Time Gaming, where every spin produces a different number of symbols on each reel. Generally, this amounts to 2-7 symbols, over 5 or 6 reels, generating a huge number of win ways. In essence, Megaways is so simple you wonder why no one had thought of it before - and therein lays its genius.

No doubt a lot of other developers wished they had because the engine's popularity has exploded, powering a ton of different slots. Thanks to licensing agreements, many developers have used Big Time Gaming's engine to power their own games, including modernising older slots via Megaways remakes.

How does Megaways work?

Megaways has proven to be extremely versatile, propping up all manner of themes in a variety of configurations. However, the standard format usually involves 6 reels, sometimes with a special 4 symbol bonus reel running horizontally above the game grid.

Having different numbers of symbols on each spin, means the number of maximum win ways shifts dramatically. Win ways usually top out at 117,649, though they can be as high as Holy Diver's (Big Time Gaming) 576,981. Other developers have taken the engine in the opposite direction by reducing win ways to a more manageable, but still huge, 15,625 as seen in Fishin' Frenzy Megaways by Blueprint Gaming. Or, even lower, at 512 used to power Games Inc's fruit-filled slot Joker Megaways.

How do you win with Megaways?

The general rule of thumb is to land three matching symbols, consecutively, from the first reel onwards. Since there are no paylines, symbols can land on any row and still form a winner. With all of that space to use, it is possible to win from more than one type of symbol on a single spin as well. It is similar to the classic 243 win ways scenario, but with a whole lot more going on.

Megaways features

Another area where Megaways proves its worth is in the large range of features it can incorporate. As well as the standard ones you find everywhere such as wilds, scatters, and free spins, here are a few others you are likely to come across when taking on a Megaways title.

Cascades

This feature may appear under different names such as Reactions, Avalanches, Cascades, and is the peanut butter to the jelly when it comes to Megaways. How it works is that when a winning combination lands, the symbols involved explode off the grid to let new ones cascade down into the gaps. This can lead to consecutive chains of wins from a single spin and is a match made in slots heaven when it comes to Megaways.

Progressive win multiplier

One feature that builds on the cascading mechanic is a progressive win multiplier. Here an initial win comes with a multiplier of x1, which increases by +1 for each subsequent cascade. This means the more consecutive cascades, the higher the multiplier will climb. When active during a base game, the multipliers resets to x1 on a new spin. However, during free spins, the multiplier often does not reset but can only ever go up leading to significant values.

Mystery symbols

This is another feature common to Megaways slots. Whenever mystery symbols land, they all change to reveal the same common symbol. Usually, they appear scattered around the grid, but you may find them stacked in some titles.

Wild Multipliers

While not exclusive to Megaways, wild multipliers are another feature that absolutely shines in conjunction with what the engine can do. Inspired Gaming's Desperados Wild Megaways is a great example of this, as not only do wild multipliers star in the game, they can also become sticky, and two or more have their multipliers multiplied together for potentially better results.

Bonus buy

Another Big Time Gaming innovation is the bonus buy option. This gives players the chance to buy their way to the bonus game for a multiple of the total stake. Twists on bonus buys include collecting some sort of token to reduce the cost of buying the feature, or opening up an enhanced bonus game such as with Royal Mint Megaways (Big Time Gaming).

What are All Action Megaways Slots?

Developer Blueprint Gaming is the creative team behind this clever innovation. These are big bet slots allowing players to make larger than average wagers in return for skipping the base game altogether. Essentially, players buy a set number of free spins – or try their luck with a random amount. Popular with high rollers or anyone looking to avoid grinding through a base game to try and score it big in free spins. The first in this category is Blueprint Gaming's Buffalo Rising Megaways: All Action that offers high RTP along with high rewards.

What are the best Megaways slots to play?

Of course, the best slots are the ones that match you and betting requirements. With Megaways powering games of so much variety, there is bound to be plenty to fit your style. But for a helpful nudge, here are several perennial crowd-pleasers that each have something special to offer.

Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)

Okay, it might not be the very first Megaways title - that honour went to Dragon Born Megaways. Bonanza is, however, the first to really put Megaways on the map and kick off the revolution. Possibly the most famous Megaways slot out there, Bonanza is for many the de facto benchmark for each subsequent Megaways release. Featuring free spins, retriggers, cascades, and unlimited multipliers, you can't say you've had the full Megaways experience unless you've had a crack with Bonanza.

White Rabbit (Big Time Gaming)

White Rabbit is another release from Big Time Gaming to showcase another innovative new feature. This Alice in Wonderland inspired game was the first to offer a bonus buy option where players can skip the base game and go straight to free spins. During the bonus game, White Rabbit can extend its reels to 12 rows high, producing up to 248,832 ways to win in the process. Compelling gaming and an RTP as high as 97.77% with the feature buy active; means White Rabbit is another hit in the Megaways pantheon.

Primal Megaways (Blueprint Gaming)

Blueprint Gaming is one developer who took to Megaways like a duck to water, using it to power many of their slots. One of their earlier hits was the prehistorically themed Primal Megaways. A favourite for those who like highly volatile gaming, Primal Megaways also features mystery symbols, wild multipliers, and a clever retriggering bonus guarantee. Blueprint has gone from strength to strength when it comes to Megaways, but Primal Megaways remains one of their best.

Wrap up

It's easy to toss around words like 'game-changer', but when it comes to Megaways, it's hard to think of another mechanic that has seriously changed the game like Big Time Gaming's engine has. Megaways brought with it, big reels, big win ways, and some of the largest non-jackpot payouts possible on a slot. If competitors aren't lining up for a Megaways license, they are hitting the drawing board to conjure up game engines of their own to compete with it.

In both scenarios, it's a win-win situation for players who benefit from ever better games. Megaways has, without a doubt, smashed the boundaries of what slots can do, while steadily pushing game quality in a positive direction. Even its maker Big Time Gaming are constantly looking at new ways to innovate, as evidenced by the next evolution - Megaclusters.

The Megaways phenomenon is running as strong as ever, with players spoilt for choice. To find your next favourite, make sure to go over the reviews here, fire up a demo, and get ready for some of the finest slots gaming available.