What is Megaways?
Megaways is an innovative and exciting online slot game mechanic created by software developer Big Time Gaming. The big difference between Megaways slots and standard slots is the shape-shifting reels. In standard slots, the number of symbols on each reel is fixed. This means you can win by landing matching symbols in paylines or on adjacent reels.
In the case of the latter, you’ll usually be offered 243 or 4,096 ways to win. These number are dwarfed in the Megaways games where the number of ways to win often reach 117,649 and in some instances can reach 1 million. With so many winning chances on offer, it’s easy to see why Megaways slots have become so hugely popular as they are so exciting. Plenty of BTG slots (with the mechanic) have become the most popular slots around.
What are Megaways slots?
So how on earth can you get so many ways to win? The answer comes from the reels. Instead of featuring a fixed number of symbols on every spin, the number varies each time but can often reach 7 and sometimes 8 symbols. The more symbols on each reel, the bigger the number of active Megaways. You can usually see just how many are in play by looking at a meter to the side or above the main reel set.
The total number of Megaways is the number of symbols on each reel multiplied together. For example, a 6 reel Megaways slot where each reel can include 7 symbols would be 7x7x7x7x7x7 which gives a total of 117,649 ways to create a winner. The most common combination is 6 reels with 117,649 ways to win.
How do Megaways slots work?
Like standard ways to win slots, winning combinations in Megaways games are created by landing matching symbols on adjoining reels. For example, land the same symbol on reels 1, 2, 3 and 4 and you’d create a winner. So far, so standard. In the example above, the Megaways mechanic offers the chance to land up to 7 matching symbols on each those 4 reels, greatly increasing the potential for bigger payouts. The more symbols on more reels, the bigger your chances of landing a winning combination.
Q: Are Megaways slots expensive to play?
You might expect slots that offer so many ways to win to be more expensive to play than your common or garden video slot. Think again. Megaways slots offer a similar range of stake levels as standard games. You can play many of them for an investment of as little as 10p per spin – this means a deposit of £10 can go a long way. Of course, if you’re a high roller and want to get stuck in with some big bets, then you’ll have ample opportunity to do so.
What features do Megaways slots include?
Some Megaways slots feature the standard Megaways game mechanic and leave it as that as far as gameplay is concerned. Many developers spice up the action still further by adding features and bonus features commonly found in standard slots. You’ll find the usual wilds and scatters too.
Many feature cascading reel wins where symbols are removed following a winning spin and new ones drop in and replace them. These cascades keep on coming as long as a new winning combination is created. They can offer winning opportunities but don’t count as a paid spin. These consecutive cascades can also bring multipliers into play. That’s certainly the case if you get on a roll during a free spins feature which you’ll find in many Megaways slots.
Another increasingly popular extra you’ll find in Megaways slots are mystery transforming symbols. All examples of a chosen symbol transform into the same one and a new payout calculation is made. Land a high value transformer and the coins can quickly build.
It’s a similar story with wild multipliers. These do exactly what they say on the tin. The wild element substitutes for the other symbols and the multipliers boosts your payout by the amount shown.
Some Megaways slots also allow players the opportunity to buy the bonus round. This varies from game to game and usually costs a set amount. This feature isn’t available in the UK though unfortunately.
In summary, Megaways slots offer the same exciting features found in other slots but with many more ways to win – this takes them to a whole new level!
What is the jackpot on a Megaways slot?
In most cases, the maximum payout from a Megaways slot is a non-too shabby 50,000 x stake. Big Time Gaming has licensed the technology to other slot developers. Blueprint Gaming is one such developer. They operate their own Jackpot King progressive jackpot network. Some of their Megaways slots are part of the Jackpot King and so offer chances to land a potentially life-changing payouts.
Are Megaways slots random?
The number of active Megaways changes randomly with each spin. In some Megaways slots, Return of King Megaways for example, you’ll always have a minimum number of Megaways active. In other games, there isn’t a minimum number in play. Be sure to check out the paytable when you fire up a slot.
What does Megaways mean?
Megaways is simply the name used to describe the game mechanic. The number of ways can reach mega proportions if the reels expand to their full configuration!
Who uses the Megaways mechanic?
Big Time Gaming are the creators of the Megaways game mechanic. They have licensed the software to other developers who have all put their individual stamp on their own Megaways releases. The biggest offering of Megaways slots comes from Blueprint Gaming. You’ll also find Megaways slots from Red Tiger Gaming, Relax Gaming, Kalamba Gamin, NextGen Gaming, Barcrest, Bally, Iron Dog Studio and iSoftBet.
What are the best Megaways slots?
There are plenty of Megaways slots to choose from so theme and features are at the forefront of our thoughts when it comes to picking the best games. If you like playing a standard slot with a popular theme, then you’ll likely find a Megaways game in the same genre.
For example, if you’re one of the legions of fans of the Chinese-themed slot, then 88 Fortunes Megaways from Bally should appeal. For ancient myth and legend lovers, you have Blueprint Gaming’s Gods of Olympus Megaways and NextGen Gaming’s Medusa Megaways. If ancient Egypt is more to your liking, then you’ll have Blueprint Gaming’s Legacy of Ra Megaways and Big Time Gaming’s Queen of Riches Megaways.
Fans of old school slots are well catered for too. The classic fruity has been given the Megaways treatment in Mystery Reels Megaways by Red Tiger Gaming. Likewise, the hugely popular Irish fortune-themed slots such as Barcrest’s Rainbow Riches Megaways and Blueprint Gaming’s Slots ‘O Gold Megaways.
You’ll find popular branded slots here too. Both Monopoly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire have been given Megaways makeovers.
If you’re after something really different, then give the highly unusual Holy Diver Megaways from BTG a look. Based on an obscure concept album by a US rock band, it takes players on a quest with a gallant knight to unlock free spins, multipliers and up to 586,971 ways to win!
What’s the most popular Megaways slot?
There’s a growing selection of Megaways slots available but one that players keep on coming back to is the Bonanza Megaways slot. Created by Big Time Gaming, it’s played using a 6-reel game engine where the number of Megaways can reach a massive 117,649.
Other highlights of this virtual trip the American West are cascading reels. These can really come into their own when you trigger the feature round. On offer here are 12 free spins. Each cascade win during those free games increases a multiplier by 1x which can really get things moving if you get on a winning run.
It might not have the visual polish of some releases, but the catchy country and western backing track and the potentially explosive gameplay have made Bonanza a classic and a must-play Megaways slot. It also offers wins of 50,000 x stake on each spin or free spin!
Typically, Big Time Gaming slots with Megaways tends to be most popular overall.
What Megaways slot has the highest RTP %?
The answer is
NextGen Gaming’s Medusa Megaways with an
RTP of 97.63%. Medusa is 1 of NextGen Gaming’s most popular ever games and has been given the Megaways treatment to create an explosive and exciting game that offers up to 117,649 ways to win, plenty of features and 50,000 x stake payouts.
