What Are Megaways Slots? A Comprehensive Guide
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Megaways slots have taken the online casino world by storm with their advanced and dynamic play, offering gamers an unprecedented slot experience that diverges from the traditional fixed-payline machines.
These new slots, created by Big Time Gaming, make every spin an exhilarating adventure, with the power to generate as many as 117,649 ways to win and feature cascading reels, several bonus features, and a changing reel layout that keeps players in suspense.
With their revolutionary mechanics to their huge potential for jackpots, Megaways slots are a quantum leap in slot machine technology that has taken the world by storm.
By the end of this guide, you will:
- Have the concept of Megaways slots explained;
- Understand how does Megaways work;
- Be able to play Megaways slots in a more informed way.
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What Are Megaways Slots?
Megaways slots are an innovative breed of online slot play that renders the standard casino gambling session redundant. Invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), they have a unique reel modifier mechanism that produces an astronomical number of potential winning combinations. In answer to "What does Megaways mean in slots?", the answer is in its changing reel mechanism whereby the number of symbols shown on every reel alters at random with each spin.
How Does Megaways Work?
Megaways games work by adjusting the number of symbols on each reel during a single spin, often between 2 to 7 symbols on each reel. This creates an ever-changing number of possible winning ways, with some games offering as many as 117,649 possible ways when all the reels display the most symbols.
Unlike the traditional slots which have fixed pay lines, Megaways slots (such as Bonanza Megaways or
Millionaire Megaways) pay for adjacent reels with identical symbols, irrespective of their location. The new design makes it possible for players to bet Megaways slots with a significant level of excitement and winning chances.
A Brief History of Megaways Slots
Megaways slots came about courtesy of Big Time Gaming, which was founded by Nick Robinson and Hugh McIntosh in 2011. Their first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, hit the scene in 2016 and it was the casino-exclusive. The innovative slot presented players with an opportunity to have more than 4,096 ways of winning, opening doors to something new and bigger in the industry.
While Dragon Born initially introduced the Megaways concept into the world, it was with the introduction of Bonanza Megaways later in 2016 that the format truly came to the fore. Bonanza was a hit with players right away and continues to be well-liked today.
Following the success of their best Megaways slots, BTG began licensing the Megaways engine to other providers. This led to a huge boom of Megaways slots, continuing to cement the mechanic as a fan favourite.
Main features of Megaways Slots
Megaways slots also have certain unique features that set them apart from other slot games:
- Randomised pay lines: The number of ways to win changes with every spin, usually as many as 117,649 and more than 200,000 in certain games.
- Cascading reels: The symbols that form a win are discarded and new ones added, enabling the player to create several wins out of a single spin.
- Multipliers and bonus features: Most Megaways games boast special features like expanding win multipliers, mystery symbols, and bonus features.
- Free spin and retriggering: The games also often feature free spin features with the possibility of retriggers, which amplify the bonus play and winning opportunities.
- Dynamic game: The changing reel matrix makes each spin dynamic.
Pros and Cons of Megaways Slots
| Advantages 👍 | Disadvantages 👎 |
| High potential for winning: A lot of pay lines and bonus features can cause big payouts. | High volatility: Wins can be less frequent but potentially larger, which may not suit all playing styles. |
| Creative mechanics: Megaways slots tend to involve special bonus games and bonuses which are absent from standard slots. | Complex mechanics: The dynamic nature of Megaways slots can be overwhelming for some players. |
| Nice graphics and layout: These slots always feature fine images and simple interfaces. | Higher minimum bets: Due to the increased number of pay lines, minimum bets tend to be higher compared to traditional slots. |
| Flexible pay line system: The flexibility of Megaways slots creates a game that is unforeseeable and exciting. | Reduced significance of base game: Some Megaways slots may focus heavily on bonus features. |
How to Play Megaways Slots
Playing Megaways slots is relatively straightforward, despite their complex mechanics:
- Choose your bet size and hit the spin button.
- See the reels spin and then come to an abrupt stop, revealing a large amount of symbols per reel.
- Successful combinations are created by the alignment of symbols on consecutive reels from the left.
- When you receive a winning combination, the cascading reels feature will kick in, leading to additional winnings.
- Look for special symbols that will trigger bonus rounds or free spin features.
Megaways Slots RTP and Tips
When playing Megaways slots, consider these tips:
- Begin playing with small wagers to sense the volatility of the game.
- Take advantage of free play options to practice the game dynamics without spending real money.
- Get an idea of RTP (Return to Player) between 95% to 97% in the case of Megaways slots.
- Watch over your bankroll and establish boundaries to maintain controlled gambling.
Main Megaways Slot Game Developers
While Big Time Gaming created the Megaways mechanic, many other developers have since licensed the technology and created some of the best Megaways slots around:
- Big Time Gaming
- Blueprint Gaming
- Red Tiger Gaming
- NetEnt
- Pragmatic Play
Each developer puts its own twist and characteristics on the Megaways format, so there is something for everyone to play.
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Conclusion
One word that you can be sure has made its way into many online slot games is Megaways. From their cascading icons, vibrant reels, and new-age bonus rounds – these slots offer an exciting gaming experience that’s second to none.
Though the wild volatility and complex mechanics may be too much for some, Megaways slots are just as popular as they’ve ever been.
As developers keep innovating and figuring out new ways to interpret the Megaways theme, we can expect even more interesting titles to use the formula in the coming months, ensuring the Megaways mechanic's place in history as a modern online slot gaming staple.
Lucie Turner
Author
Lucie is a content specialist with extensive expertise in the iGaming and Sports betting industries. With a strong background in PR and Marketing Communications, she excels at crafting engaging casino and slot reviews that resonate with players. Her exceptional proofreading and editing ensure content is both accurate and compelling. Lucie's talent for translating complex gaming concepts into accessible, search-optimised content has established her as a valuable professional in the competitive iGaming landscape.
