In this article, we explore a one-of-a-kind type of casino game called Megaway slots. The online casino world is fast-paced and packed with action, and these specially designed online slots are loaded with cool features. Get more value from the slots you play, with a changing reel-set providing over 117,000 ways to win and an unforgettable slots experience.
Casino fans who love the chance to win huge prizes will appreciate the latest Megaway games. While traditional casino slot players might find these new and more advanced systems hard to understand at first.
If you’ve been hanging around the best online casinos for the past year or so, then you’ve probably noticed that more and more slots are appearing with the made-up word ‘MEGAWAYS’ emblazoned across them. This may confuse you somewhat, as you have no idea what it means and why so many online casinos now have lots of MegaWays slots.
New Australian casinos and new Canadian casinos are especially eager to snap up video slots with this feature, but what makes such online pokies so special, and which are the best MegaWays slots? Here are the answers to both those questions!
What is the MegaWays Concept?
It is a brilliant concept from the online software company Big Time Gaming. When you play any slot, you will notice that it may have a fixed number of paylines. These are sequences across the reels that identical symbols need to fall upon to trigger a win.
Some have the ‘all ways win’ feature. Here, you have to land identical symbols on successive reels to win. Their actual positions on the reels are of no consequence.
To work out how many paylines this is, you have to multiply the number of rows in sequence as many times as there are reels. So, if a slot has three rows of five reels, then that’s a possible 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 which equals 243 paylines.
With MegaWays, the actual number of rows per reel varies with each spin. Some reels may have as little as two symbols on them, while others can have as many as eight! To max out your chances of a winning combo, even more, there are six reels in play as opposed to the ‘traditional’ five.
Now, you would think this would give you a maximum of 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 = 262,144 ways to win – however, there’s a catch! But it’s a good catch! Above the middle four reels, there’s an extra, ‘sideways’ reel that spins each time you spin the main reels. This gives the middle four reels and extra symbol, meaning that the maximum ways to win are actually 8 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 8 = 419,000,914!!
Of course, this number is controlled by parameters set within the video slots game, and few games actually max out at this stunning total. Typically with all MegaWays slots, the number of paylines is displayed with each spin, so you know how many chances to win you have!
What Makes Megaway Slots Unique?
Megaways is a unique reel-set modifying system for online slot games. An Australian company called Big Time Gaming developed it in 2015. Over the last six years, the brand has expanded it’s reach with strategic partnerships with many popular game studios seeking to use their patented Megaways system on their own titles. This helped the series grow in popularity, with players around the world hunting for the latest megaways slots to play online.
When you play at Megaways casinos, the main difference is the amount of paylines on the slot game. Classic slots typically have a 3×3 or 5×3 reel layout, with a fixed number of paylines, usually between 10-25.
Games at Megaways casinos vary drastically, with a special reel modifier system providing six reels and space for two-seven symbols in each column per spin. As well as a horizontal row above the reels, which feature more symbols. This results in different paylines and ways to win for every spin, and a fantastic game play experience.
In total, there are over 117,649 ways to win with this system. This can be achieved when all six reels reach the maximum seven symbols. When this happens, it provides the best opportunity for big wins, with paylines connecting in thousands of ways, helping connect more symbols.
Which Are The Best Megaways Casinos?
In 2021, it’s not hard to find reliable megaways casinos to play at. This style of slot game is featured by many famous partner providers like iSoftBet, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Shuffle Master. We’ve searched online to find the best megaways casinos online in 2021.
Each gaming site has numerous megaway games covering various themes and suitable for all types of players. You can find classic and new megaways slots like Hypernova, Madame Destiny, Dog House, 88 Fortunes, Wheel of Fortune, Divine Fortune, Moriarty, and Wild Hammer.
Are All Slots with the MegaWays Feature Made by Big Time Gaming?
No! If you search around both established and new UK casinos you will notice that there are lots of games saying they are ‘MegaWays’ games, and all from different providers. Have these providers ‘stolen’ the aspect of their games from Big Time Gaming?
The answer is ‘No!’ – Big Time Gaming have been very clever, and they lease the popular concept to other gaming providers, meaning that their fellow online wagering software companies can jump about the bandwagon … for a suitable fee of course!
What are the Best MegaWays Slots that are Available to Play?
Players at Megaways casinos are spoiled for choice, with many exciting tiles to try their luck on. Each game varies and has its own unique features, including avalanche wins, bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers, wilds and other modifiers that enhance the entertainment. We’ve listed some of the leading megaway slots that people love.
Here then, without further ado, are what we at NewCasinos.org judge to be the best online video slots games to play that have been blessed with the MegaWays concept.
Hypernova (Big Time Gaming)
Reel Play released the Hypernova Megaways slots game in 2019 and is licensed to use Megaways by Big Time Gaming. Hypernova features a rewarding RTP of 96.095%, exciting inter-galactic theme, jackpot re-spins and a huge max win of up to 8,641x!
The base game uses cascading wins, with winning symbols replaced with new ones. This style of game play is popular in Megaways slots and gives gamers the chance to get lucky with long winning streaks. The bonus spins on Hypernova can be won by landing six x Scatter symbols, awarding a re-spins feature, with a top jackpot prize reaching 2000x the spin.
Madame Destiny (Pragmatic Play)
One of the newer Megaways slot games released in 2021 is Madame Destiny. This game was developed by Pragmatic Play and has an RTP of 95.7% and a decent max win up to 5,000x. It’s worth noting that other titles in the Megaway series offer better maximum winning potential.
The game has an enchanting mystical fortune teller theme, with cool cats, owls and other magical elements gracing the reels. Players can get lucky with cascading wins, providing awesome game play and win combos.
The extra spins bonus on Madame Destiny is awarded when three x Scatter symbols appear. This takes players to a bonus wheel to spin, which determines the number of spins, ranging from 5-12, and a random multiplier value between 2-25x.
Dog House (Pragmatic Play)
The Dog House Megaways slot title was released in 2020 and continues to be a favorite with global casino players today. Pragmatic Play released the game, with vivid graphics and fun furry dog characters. The RTP is around average, at 95.53%, but the Dog House boasts a massive 12,305x max win.
Based on a 6×7 reel layout, the base game uses the popular cascading wins system, with multipliers and wilds providing fun entertainment, while players chase the bonus feature.
Land three or more Paw Scatter symbols to activate the bonus feature on Dog House, with two features to choose, Raining Wilds, or Sticky Wilds. Both offer multiple free games, ranging from 15-30 and 7-20 respectively. Sticky Wilds stay in place to help generate substantial wins, while Raining Wilds are randomized and land in different positions each spin, with multipliers helping boost payouts.
88 Fortunes (Big Time Gaming)
88 Fortunes Megaways is a popular slot game from Shuffle Master. It uses the licensed reel mechanic modifier by BTG and offers gamers a classic oriental theme with cool features and high payouts. A 96.27% RTP ensures players have plenty of chances to win.
Gamers can bet between $0.88 – $88, making it suitable for recreational and high roller slot players. Like many other games with megaways, this title has avalanche wins, where symbols are removed to make way for new ones, often resulting in huge win combos.
The bonus on 88 Fortunes offer loads of action, with an unlimited progressive multiplier helping generate considerable returns. Players love testing their luck on 88 Fortunes for the chance to win up to 10,000x the stake.
Wheel Of Fortune (Big Time Gaming)
Fans of Wheel of Fortune will love the new Megaways slot based on the famous TV show. This is a new game release from Big Time Gaming and IGT in 2021. Players will appreciate the super high RTP of 96.46% and mind blowing 80,150x max win!
The 6×7 reel layout features over 117K ways to win, with the base game using popular cascading wins, multipliers, and wilds to ensure players stay entertained. Wheel of Fortune Megaways is perfect for all gamers, with bet sizes ranging from $0.20 up to $100.
The free spins feature is activated when three or more Scatters appear on the reels. This awards 12-18 free spins. This bonus round has a wheel for players to spin to determine the number of starting paylines. With expandable rows that can fit up to 10 symbols, the bonus provides an astonishing 1,000,000 ways to win when the reels are maxed out.
Divine Fortune (NetEnt)
Divine Fortune is a popular Megaways slot game produced by NetEnt in 2020. Players can step into an ancient world, with Greek gods, creatures, and statues in stunning detail. The game offers plenty of rewards, with a lovely 96.09% RTP, and exciting wild re-spins on the 6×7 reel-set.
Players can win entry to the free spins bonus on Divine Fortune megaways by landing four – six scatter symbols. This awards 10 – 20 free spins, with Wild symbols playing an important role. Land bonus wild symbols to fill the jackpot meters and win prizes up to 500x. Compared to other megaway games, this title has a much lower maximum win potential.
Rainbow Riches (Barcrest/SG Digital)
Rainbow Riches has always been one of Barcrest most popular slots. Still, when SG Digital snapped the company up in 2011, the new guys eventually decided to give Rainbow Riches a fresh lick of paint and add the MegaWays concept. This is an Ireland-themed slot where you explore the path along a rainbow hoping, of course, to find a pot of gold right at the end of it. This slot maxes out with 117,649 ways to win, plus a pleasing RTP (Return-to-Player) of 95.9%.
Sweet Success (Blueprint Gaming)
Blueprint Gaming was one of the first software houses to lease the concept from Big Time Gaming, and so this company has more MegaWays slots than anyone else, aside from Big Time Gaming themselves of course! You can experience a real sugar-rush via this sweetie of a game that comes complete with mystery symbols and a ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’ bonus trail. It also comes complete with max paylines of 117,649 and a finger-sucking RTP of 96.06%.
Rick and Morty (Blueprint Gaming)
Wubba-lubba-dub-dub! If you’ve never entered the cartoon world of Rick and Morty, then we suggest you do so pronto! A loose spoof of ‘Back to the Future’, Rick is a nihilistic time-travelling genius who takes his generally hapless grandson Marty along for the ride. This game pays homage to the Adult Swim series, with an RTP of 96.55% and a maximum number of ways to win set at 117,649.
Battleship Direct Hit (WMS/SG Digital)
It’s hard to believe, but in the days before XBOXs and PS4s children were content to play games involving just pen and paper. The ‘Battleship’ was one such game that eventually became an electronic game but has since faded out of existence. You can, however, relive those days by playing the “Battleship Direct Hit” game, originally from WMS. This game has a maximum 117,649 ways to win and an explosive RTP of 95.9%.
Holy Diver (Big Time Gaming)
As you may have noticed by now, the majority of the slots on this list are from the originators of this concept – Big Time Gaming! This is a mega MegaWays slot as the number of paylines maxes out at a spiffing 586,971! This slot is set in the middles ages when knights were bold, and damsels were always getting kidnapped by dragons … or should that be dragon-napped? Anyhow, this slot has a rewarding RTP of up to 96.54%.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Big Time Gaming)
Of course, when asked, most people would say that they would want to be a millionaire. Unfortunately, you will not become a millionaire if you play, but you’ve still the chance of winning something, as thanks to this concept this slot has a maximum of 117,649 ways to win and an RTP of 96.27%. The slot is, of course, based on the top-rated quiz show of the same name.
Vikings Unleashed (Blueprint Gaming)
What is it about Vikings and slot machines? It seems that there are plenty of Viking-themed slots around, so those Nordic nuisances must have been playing slots when they were not invading foreign territories and generally being bad people. This innovative game from Blueprint Gaming is another to have been given the ‘MegaWays’ concept, giving it a maximum of 117,649 ways to win and helping it towards a decent RTP of 96.5%.
Extra Chilli (Big Time Gaming)
There are many hot and spicy slots about, but perhaps none hotter and spicier than Extra Chilli MegaWays from Big Time Gaming themselves. This is the second game made with this concept (see our number one selection for the first-ever made game) and the gameplay is set around a Mexican market. You might get a little hot and sweaty playing this game with its 117,649 max paylines and a max RTP of 96.82%.
Primal (Blueprint Gaming)
There’s a rumble in the jungle, and it’s thanks to Primal from Blueprint Gaming which wins our vote as the best MegaWays game that has not been produced by Big Time Gaming themselves. Not quite up to the max with 46,656 ways to win, this animalistic slot still boasts an RTP of 96.76% which is pretty impressive. Look out for the free spin bonus with multipliers up to x243.
Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)
For number one we are of course going to select the game where it all started for Big Time Gaming – Bonanza MegaWays. Nothing to do with the 60s TV show, this game sets you searching an old abandoned gold mine for treasures. Maxing out with 117,649 paylines and a 96% RTP, you are more likely to hit gold than with other, non-MegaWayed slots!
Conclusion
The online casino world is growing rapidly, and finding the best online slots can be challenging with so many gaming options available. By looking at the Megaways casinos and slots above, you can find some excellent new slot games to try your luck on. These types of slots offer the most ways to win, and a truly unique & randomized gaming experience in 2021.
Remember, just because a slot has the Megaways concept, it does not mean you are more likely to win a vast fortune if you play it. All slots should be played for entertainment purposes only, and you should only ever gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Stay safe!
