For those who play online slots, you will be familiar with Megaways slots as these titles have become more and more popular throughout the industry since their creation. Megaways slots allow for the reels to be dynamic, meaning they can produce a different number of symbols every spin. Unlike traditional slot games, the playgrid is not fixed, meaning symbols can appear in a wide variety of different ways! Here, we are going to be talking about all things Megaways slots, whether that be how they work, the history of Megaways slots and some of the most popular Megaways slots around.
What Are Megaways Slots?
Megaways slots are some of the most popular types of slot games across the slot industry. Megaways slots feature reels that change the number of visible symbols on every spin, typically between 2 and 7 symbols per reel. This variability means the number of possible paylines, or “ways to win,” changes on each spin, often ranging from a few hundred to over 100,000 ways, with some games offering up to 248,832 ways to win.
Key features of Megaways slots include:
- Dynamic Reels: Each spin shows a random number of symbols on each reel, creating a constantly shifting number of paylines.
- Cascading Reels: Many Megaways slots use cascading (or tumbling) reels, where matched combinations disappear and are replaced by new symbols falling from above, potentially triggering multiple matched combinations from a single spin.
- Adjacent Reels: Matched combinations are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of their vertical position, without relying on fixed paylines.
- Bonus Features: Megaways slots often include free spins, multipliers, mystery symbols, and other advanced bonus rounds that enhance gameplay.
The History of Megaways Slots
The history of Megaways slots begins with Australian developer Big Time Gaming (BTG), founded by Nik Robinson in 2011. BTG sought to revolutionise the online slot industry, which at the time was dominated by established names like NetEnt and Microgaming. Their breakthrough came in 2015 with the invention of the Megaways mechanic!
The first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, was released in 2015 (some sources cite early 2016), introducing players to this innovative system. However, it was the release of Bonanza Megaways in 2016 that truly put the mechanic and BTG on the map, thanks to its immense popularity and the excitement generated by up to 117,649 paylines per spin.
Following Bonanza’s success, BTG began licensing the Megaways mechanic to other developers in 2018, allowing studios like Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, and Playtech to create their own Megaways slots. This led to a surge in the number and variety of Megaways games, including branded titles like Monopoly Megaways and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways.
BTG continued to innovate, expanding distribution through partnerships and eventually being acquired by Evolution Gaming Group, cementing Megaways as a staple of modern online slots. Today, Megaways slots are among the most sought-after games in online casinos, celebrated for their dynamic gameplay.
Most Popular Megaways Slots
Megaways slots have continued to grow throughout the industry, with every game using its own bonus features and themes. Here, we will look at some of the Megaways slots that really stand out due to their brilliant gameplay features and mechanics!
Bonanza Megaways
Bonanza Megaways by Big Time Gaming is widely regarded as a pioneering and iconic slot that helped launch the Megaways revolution. Set against a vibrant gold mining backdrop, the game features six dynamic reels, each displaying between 2 and 7 symbols per spin, and an extra horizontal reel above the middle four reels. This setup allows for up to 117,649 ways to land combinations on every spin, making every round unpredictable!
The visuals are colourful and detailed, with animated waterfalls, rustic wooden carts, and sparkling gemstones populating the reels. The main attraction is the free spins feature, triggered by landing four gold bar scatter symbols spelling “GOLD.” Players start with 12 free spins, with each additional scatter adding extra spins. During free spins, an unlimited win multiplier increases by +1 after every cascade!
Some other examples of popular Megaways slots are:
- Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways (Blueprint Gaming): A favourite for its simple gameplay, rewarding free spins, and fishing-themed bonus features, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways remains popular with players to this day.
- Buffalo Rising Megaways (Blueprint Gaming): With its Wild West theme, cascading reels, and customisable free spins, this slot is praised for its engaging features!
- Extra Chilli Megaways (Big Time Gaming): Known for its feature buy, cascading reels, and spicy free spins, Extra Chilli is a staple for fans of high-volatility Megaways action.
- Monopoly Megaways (Big Time Gaming): This branded slot combines the classic board game with Megaways mechanics and innovative bonus rounds, making it a hit among fans of both slots and Monopoly.