Megaways Slots Explained

Slots with the Megaways mechanics have been among the most popular games at casinos worldwide, and the ones regulated and licensed in the US are no exception. Have you ever wondered what makes them so popular?

In our guide, we’ll try to cover everything, from their introduction and evolution to how these games work and what the best representatives of the genre are.

The Most Popular Megaways Slots

Origins and Evolution of Megaways Slots

It all started back in 2016, when Big Time Gaming, an Australian software provider, launched Dragon Born, the first online slot equipped with the Megaways mechanics. The same year, Starquest was released by the same provider. Truth be told, none of these titles was a hit even though they used the innovative system.

However, the launch of the third slot, Bonanza, truly revolutionized the iGaming industry. It quickly became one of the most popular slots at online casinos, thanks to a high winning potential and the added excitement of the varying number of symbols per reel and the ways to win.

After releasing a range of successful titles, BTG decided to license the Megaways mechanics to other developers. As a result, you can choose from dozens titles from the creative kitchens of reputable providers, with the likes of Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, and Blueprint Gaming, to name a few.

Over the years, Megaways slots have evolved, bringing engaging bonus features and modifiers into play. At licensed US online casinos, players can enjoy Megaways slots offering free spins with increasing multipliers, Expanding and Sticky Wilds, instant cash prizes, and even progressive jackpots. Also, the number of winning ways can go up to 1 million.

Some partner developers have even experimented with the Megaways mechanics, blending them with other features and mechanics, such as Infinity Reels and Hold and Win. Even Big Time Gaming came up with several twists on the popular system, such as Megaclusters and Megaquads. Today, some of the most popular slots have their Megaways version. Here is a timeline of Megaways slots’ evolution:

How Megaways Mechanics Work

The best part about these slots is their unpredictability. Although all slots are luck-based and you can never tell what the next spin’s result will be, the ones using the Megaways system build anticipation through dynamic reels. Their height changes from spin to spin, which results in a different number of symbols and ways to win every time.

Most Megaways slots have 6 reels with up to 117,649 ways to win. These games can have each reel populated by up to 7 symbols, forming winning combos as long as they land on adjacent positions, left to right. Winning spins are usually followed by reactions, or cascades, meaning that successful symbols get removed from the grid and replaced with new ones, providing an additional chance of winning.

The maximum number of winning ways can sometimes be achieved only within the free spins feature. Also, certain takes on Megaways slots have added expanding symbols, letting players win in more than 117,649 ways. That’s the case with White Rabbit Megaways, another Big Time Gaming slot that made history by introducing the bonus buy feature.    

Best Megaways Slots to Play

Many players love Megaways slots for their high volatility, letting them win some astonishing payouts, exceeding 130,000x the bet in some titles. At trusted US casinos we recommend, you can choose from dozens of slots using this mechanics. Below, we list the top 5 Megaways slots worth your while.

Extra Chilli Megaways

Along with Bonanza, Extra Chilli Megaways is a slot machine that has made the revolutionary Big Time Games mechanics popular. Because of that, we must include it in the list of the Megaways titles you must not miss out on. With an RTP going up to 96.82% and a max win of 16,877x the bet, Extra Chilli takes you to Mexico.

Keep an eye on chilli peppers made of precious stones as these are top-paying icons. The extra reel below the main reel set will help you complete winning combinations, with each win followed by reactions.

Once you land 3 Scatters reading HOT on the reels, you’ll trigger free spins, where a multiplier increases on each reaction without limits. Before playing free spins, you can use the Gamble Wheel to collect the original number or try to win up to 24 free games.   

Wheel of Fortune Megaways

Although IGT is well-known for its Wheel of Fortune slot series, which was inspired by the famous TV game show, this one is another title created by the inventors of the Megaways system. It deserved its spot on this list thanks to its free spins feature, where up to 1,000,000 ways to win are available. Its RTP is above-average, sitting at 96.46%. The top payout is equally impressive – 82,700x the stake.

The game also benefits from the Wild Megastacks feature, covering 7 positions in the base game and 10 in free spins with Wilds. Within free games, an Expansion symbol extends reels with extra symbols. If a reel contains 10 symbols, the feature gets retriggered, awarding 12 additional spins.    

Twin Spin Megaways

Speaking of iconic slots getting the Megaways treatment, we must mention the NetEnt title Twin Spins, which got upgraded in 2020 to offer up to 117,649 ways to win. The high volatility slot pays up to 38,000x the wager and has an RTP of 96.04%, a tad above the industry standard.

Besides Megaways and cascades, which are called the Avalanche feature in NetEnt slots, Twin Spin Megaways also uses the Twin Reel feature, which made the original game a hit among players. This feature makes two or more random adjacent reels spin together, featuring identical icons.

Free spins are also available, offering Wild symbols with a 2x or 3x multiplier. When these icons are included in a winning combo, they increase the number of winning symbols on the reel by 2 or 3, respectively.

Deal or No Deal Megaways: Jackpot King

Inspired by another popular TV game show, Deal or No Deal Megaways is one of Blueprint Gaming‘s slots belonging to the Jackpot King network. It means only one thing: you can win a progressive jackpot while playing it. Regular payouts in this 6-reel slot with up to 117,649 ways to win go up to 10,000x the bet, so volatility is medium to high.

Mystery symbols can appear throughout the game in multiple positions to reveal icons of a kind and help you create more winning combinations. Like most Megaways slots, this one benefits from cascades. Yet, it takes them to the next level, since 4 or more cascades activate the bonus game. Once in, players will participate in the game show by choosing from 22 boxes with cash prizes and free spins.

Deal or No Deal Megaways also offers retriggerable free spins with Mystery symbols and an unlimited win multiplier. Land 4 Crown icons on the extra reel to activate the Jackpot King feature. Collect 15 or more crowns to spin the Wheel King Bonus reel. This gives you a chance to trigger the progressive jackpot.

The Dog House Megaways

Last but not least, we have a Pragmatic Play slot, which became a classic even before adding Megaways to the equation. The Dog House Megaways boasts an RTP of 96.55% while awarding payouts of up to 12,305x the stake. In terms of structure, the slot uses 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win, which is standard for a Megaways slot.

The Dog House Megaways has two exciting free spin features. You choose one after landing 3 or more Scatters anywhere on the reels. Sticky Wilds Free Spins gives up to 20 free games. You can get up to 7 Sticky Wilds per reel. These Wilds stay in place and have random multipliers up to 3x. Raining Wilds Free Spins gives up to 30 free games. Up to 6 Raining Wilds appear in random positions with multipliers up to 3x.

Why Play Megaways Slots?

These slots are unpredictable and thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat. At the same time, they are highly volatile, meaning that payouts can be huge. Still, you must be prepared to experience a series of dead spins until a big win kicks in.

Besides that, Megaways slots are packed with various bonus features, boosting your odds. With each new title including more innovative and potentially rewarding features, there’s much to explore. So, visit the best US online casinos, browse Megaways slots, and give the ones you like a go. You’ll most certainly be entertained, and, if you are lucky enough, you can end up winning big.  

FAQs