Once upon a time, you had to physically pull the lever of a slot machine to set the bells, lemons and BARs into motion. All very archaic, if great fun.
The opportunities presented by the internet have changed slot gaming beyond recognition, and today slots have more in common with video games thanks to their special features, bonus rounds and virtual extras.
No in-game mechanic better describes the incredible innovation of modern slot gaming than Megaways, a feature that enables players lucky enough to trigger its unique machinations to maximise their winnings.
So what are Megaways slots, and is this type of slot game worth playing above all others?
What is Megaways?
The key to Megaways games is that there’s no set gameboard with which to play – gone are static paylines, and in their place comes a random mechanic that can increase the number of rows in-play to as many as seven on each reel. With many Megaways games using six reels instead of five, that adds many more opportunities for each spin to be a winner.
And that’s only one function of the Megaways mechanic. Have you ever played a slot with a top bar, where symbols are sent after appearing on your reels? That’s a Megaways innovation, as are those chains of multipliers that increase with each subsequent win.
Cascading symbols is another feature associated with Megaways. This is where winning symbols in a combination are removed and replaced with others falling from above – this creates a chance to connect a series of wins with only one spin of the reels.
The Australian software firm, Big Time Gaming, is credited with the invention of Megaways, and today they still make their own licensed slots as well as ‘lending’ the use of the Megaways mechanic to other development teams in creating their own new releases.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, of course, and now many different software firms are offering extra ways to win in their games – fearing the popularity of Megaways. Ultimately, it’s the player that benefits from a greater selection of dynamic games to choose from, and that’s no bad thing.
How Does Megaways Work?
In essence, Megaways slots work in exactly the same way as any other online slot game – you select your stake, spin the reels and then hope to match three or more winning symbols or a payline.
But, of course, not all Megaways games have paylines – instead matching symbols anywhere on your reels can be enough to trigger a payout, which increases the number of ‘ways to win’ at your disposal.
With the number of rows in play also varying in Megaways slots, you can witness your winning possibilities increase from 30 ways to win (roughly a standard amount in traditional slots) to over 117,649 with seven rows and six reels in play! To figure out how many potential winning symbols you have, simply multiply the number of rows on each reel together.
While that all sounds overwhelmingly positive, it should be said that a number of Megaways slots have a higher volatility and lower RTP than standard games – wins can be more infrequent, but when they do come along they can be super-sized by the Megaways mechanic.
And perhaps the best thing about Megaways slots is that every spin of the reels is different – literally, with varying numbers of symbols in play each time. That unpredictability appeals to some slot lovers more than a ‘static’ gameboard that’s the same each turn.
Do Megaways Slots Have a Higher or Lower RTP?
Because matching symbols don’t have to land on a specific payline, Megaways slots – where the same icons simply on adjacent reels is often enough – can give the feeling that wins are more commonplace.
This isn’t strictly true, and when you consider the raw RTP of each game, it’s clear that some Megaways slots come with an ‘entertainment tax’ – you may wager more for a lesser return, even if the game is great fun to play.
Ideally, you want an RTP as close to 100% as possible in your slot games – some of the best-paying games can get up to 97-98%, which is about as good as it gets. The average RTP of a Megaways slot, according to Big Time Gaming’s own catalogue, is 96.22%, so you might be leaving some money on the table by playing them.
It would be up to you to decide whether that extra 1-2% is a worthy sacrifice for the excitement of Megaways’ features – remember too that some bog standard slots have an RTP of around that 96.2% mark anyway.
As a guide, here’s the RTP of some of the most popular Megaways slots around today:
- Gonzo’s Quest (98%)
- White Rabbit Megaways (97.72%)
- Buffalo Rising (97.01%)
- Big Bass Bonanza (96.7%)
- Jingle Ways (96.69%)
- Wheel of Fortune (96.46%)
- Monopoly (96.31%)
- Age of the Gods (95.94%)
Should You Play Megaways Slots?
Given the possibilities available with each and every spin, most gamers could be attracted by the opportunities that Megaways slots present over more classical slot gaming action.
That’s not to say wins are guaranteed or indeed more frequent – a number of Megaways slots have a lower RTP than their traditional counterparts, which suggests that (probabilistically speaking) you will win less playing them.
But given that the gameplay itself can be more fulfilling and exciting in Megaways slots than some slightly antiquated games that look a tad dated these days, you may feel that the lower RTP is worth it to enhance your actual gaming experience.
One of the most appealing features of Megaways is when the mechanic is combined with another innovation such as avalanche/cascading reels. This enables the most fortunate players to create a chain of wins, which it goes without saying is what you’re hoping for.
Each spin can be different thanks to Megaways, with a small playing area or a huge one – six reels and seven rows – available courtesy of the randomness of the mechanic. If you prefer a static gameboard with each turn then Megaways may not be for you, but if unpredictability is your bag then you should certainly give dynamic form of slot gaming a second look.