The modern iGaming industry is a multi-billion-pound industry which has grown over time thanks to technological advances and innovation. One of these innovations is the Megaways mechanic, which, since its introduction, has become a genre in its own right in the industry. Before the introduction of the Megaways mechanic, slot games lacked variation, with all being played on playgrids with fixed paylines and symbol counts. The birth of the Megaways mechanic enabled developers to create dynamic playgrids with reel setups featuring unique symbol counts on each spin.
Big Time Gaming launched the Megaways mechanic into the industry, and since then, many other development studios have adopted it. In today's iGaming industry, there are thousands of Megaways slot releases, and this article breaks down some of the best to date.
Bonanza
The first-ever slot game to feature the Megaways mechanic was the Bonanza title, developed by Big Time Gaming. This slot release marked a significant landmark in the iGaming industry and has influenced many subsequent Megaways releases. The Bonanza slot game is based around a mining theme and was released on screens in 2016. In addition to featuring the Megaways mechanic, Big Time Gaming has also implemented bonus features that gamers may experience. The Bonanza slot game set the standard for subsequent Megaways releases, featuring a 6-reel layout with each reel holding up to 7 symbols. The Bonanza slot game features a maximum payline count of 117,649, which has become the industry standard for Megaways releases.
The mining theme is effectively showcased in the visual design of the Bonanza slot, with gameplay set at the mine's outskirts. The playgrid is set at the opening of the mineshaft, and above is a selection of mine carts, with tunnels on either side. To the side of the playgrid, a range of greenery is embedded between stones, along with a desolate wooden hut, adding to the overall aesthetic.
In addition to the Megaways mechanic, there is a range of bonus features that can elevate the gaming experience. In this slot, there is a Free Spins feature, as well as Wild symbols and multipliers that can be triggered in the gameplay.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
The iconic fishing-themed series has implemented the Megaways mechanic in the Big Bass Bonanza Megaways slot, released in 2021. As with its preceding releases in the series, the Big Bass Bonanza Megaways slot game was developed and released by Reel Kingdom. In this release, the developers have implemented features similar to game design, with all visuals centred on the fishing theme. The Big Bass Bonanza Megaways slot game differentiates from other titles in the series thanks to the dynamic Megaways mechanic. The gameplay in the Big Bass Bonanza Megaways slot takes place across a 6-reel playgrid, with a maximum payline count of 46,656.
As with all titles in the Big Bass series, gameplay will commence in an underwater environment, with a translucent playgrid that allows players to view the aquatic elements. At the bottom of the ocean on either side of the playgrid, there are ranges of ocean life, including coral reefs.
The Fisherman Wild returns in this Big Bass instalment, which can be landed in the Free Spins feature and collect the values of Fish symbols landed on the reels in the same spin. In addition to this feature, there is also a variety of other game mechanics, including cascading reels and multipliers.
Buffalo King Megaways
Pragmatic Play is one of the largest names in the iGaming industry, with an expansive slot resume with numerous Megaways titles. The Buffalo King Megaways slot is one of their most notable to date, and is based around an animal theme. The Buffalo King Megaways is a follow-up title in Pragmatic Play’s slot portfolio, featuring some familiar elements seen in subsequent titles in the series. The gameplay in the Buffalo King Megaways slot is elevated with the use of bonus features, which may be triggered randomly. As with the other slots mentioned in this write-up, the gameplay in the Buffalo King Megaways slot will take place on a 6-reel playgrid. In this playgrid, the maximum payline count is 200,704.
The Buffalo King Megaways slot features a visually appealing design that resembles other titles in the series. The gameplay is set in the North American plains, which are visible behind the playgrid in the backdrop under the sunset. To further enhance the aesthetic, Pragmatic Play has added a selection of rock formations in the background, a common feature in other animal-themed slots.
As with all slots in the series, Pragmatic Play has incorporated a selection of bonus features which help elevate the overall gameplay. The most notable of all bonus features in this slot game is the Free Spins bonus rounds, which can be triggered if 4 Scatters are landed in the same spin. In addition to the Free Spins feature, there are also cascading reels, Wild symbols, and multipliers in this slot game.
