There are many different types of slots online — classic 3-reel games, 5-reel online slots, slots with unlockable symbol positions, progressive jackpots, and more. Each of these offers its own style of play and features that appeal to different types of slot players.
Megaways slots take a distinct approach to slot reel mechanics. For players interested in a more varied slot experience, Megaways slots introduce a new kind of gameplay that sets them apart from standard slots. Read on to learn more about this slot reel mechanic and how it works.
What Are Megaways Slots?
Megaways are a type of online slot game that provides a unique experience. Unlike typical slots, Megaways slots have shifting reels, where the number of symbols displayed changes with every spin.
This mechanic was developed by Big Time Gaming and has been licensed to various game developers, which has allowed a number of slot providers to create a wide range of Megaways casino games.
How Do Megaways Slots Work?
Players who understand how online slot machines work should keep in mind that Megaways games work a little bit differently. In Megaways slots, each reel can display 2–7 symbols, with the number of symbols changing with every spin. This variability means the number of possible winning combinations also changes with every spin.
For example, a Megaways game with six reels typically offers up to 117,649 ways to win, with some titles providing even more than that. This dynamic reel structure creates an unpredictable gaming experience every time the reels are spun.
Understanding Ways to Win in Megaways Slots
Traditional slot games often have a set number of paylines, such as 20 or 50. In contrast, Megaways slots have shifting reels that pay out from left to right. As long as players land the required number of adjacent symbols, they’ll receive a payout.
Cascading Reels in Megaways Slots
Many Megaways slots incorporate a cascading symbols feature. Once winning combinations of symbols have appeared on the reels, they disappear again, causing new symbols to fall into the empty slot positions. If these new symbols form a winning combination, the paying symbols disappear again. This process continues until there are no more winning combinations.
This allows players to land multiple wins from a single spin, allowing them additional opportunities to capitalize on various slot budget management tips.
Characteristics of Megaways Slots
A number of factors are likely to vary from one Megaways slot to another.
Return to Player
The first characteristic is the game’s return to player (RTP), which shows the average return or payout over time as a percentage. This percentage is calculated over thousands and thousands of games and should not be confused with the rate of return a player could expect during a single session.
Slots players looking for slot games with the best chance of returns should look for slot games with a high RTP. For example, a slot with an RTP of 97% will, in the long run, pay out more to players than a slot with an RTP of 94%.
Volatility
It’s important to understand a slot game’s volatility. This refers to the frequency and size of slot payments a player can expect to receive over a particular period.
When assessing online slots, players will find that these games are typically categorized as low, medium, or high volatility. Low volatility games provide smaller, more frequent wins, while high volatility games offer larger but less frequent payouts. Medium volatility slots offer a balance between the two.
Sometimes, slots may use a number or star rating to indicate volatility — for example, three out of five stars or a seven out of 10 volatility rating.
Theme
There’s an almost endless number of slot themes to choose from in Megaways slots, from animals and mythology to food, science fiction, and various kinds of adventure. This large variety allows players to choose a game with a theme that appeals to their interests.
Game Features
Just like other online slots, Megaways games offer features like extra spins, multipliers, special symbols, and imaginative bonus games to enhance the player’s experience. For example, wild symbols can substitute for paying symbols and increase the player’s odds of landing a winning combination. Alternatively, the game might feature a mini bonus reel above the constantly evolving Megaways reels.
Some Popular Megaways Slots
Here are some Megaways online slot machines with real-money rewards.
Arriba! Heat Megaways
| Software Provider | 1X2gaming |
| RTP | Up to 95.06% |
| Volatility | High–Very High |
| Jackpot Type | N/A |
| Paylines | Up to 200,704 |
| Reels | 6 |
| Max Wager | 25 Credits |
| Max Win | 20,000x |
Arriba! Heat Megaways from 1X2gaming is a lively, Mexico-themed online slot game featuring the Megaways mechanic with up to 200,704 ways to win. Set across six reels with cascading symbols and a horizontal reel, it offers a high to very high volatility experience and an RTP of up to 95.06%.
The game includes wilds, chilli bomb explosions, and extra spins triggered by four or more scatters. During bonus spins, special symbols like Mr. Peppe enhance gameplay with added wilds or extra spins, while the Lucky Last Spin feature can extend winning streaks.
Buffalo King Megaways
| Software Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| RTP | 96.52% |
| Volatility | High |
| Jackpot Type | N/A |
| Paylines | 200,704 ways |
| Reels | 6 |
| Max Wager | $125 |
| Max Win | 5,000x |
Buffalo King Megaways from Pragmatic Play is a high-volatility slot set against the backdrop of the American wilderness, featuring a Megaways reel with up to 200,704 ways to win. This game features an RTP of 96.52% and offers a max win potential of 5,000x the player’s wager.
The game features include tumbling reels, wild symbols, an extra spins feature that can award up to 22 extra spins, and wild multipliers ranging from 2x to 5x.
Cash ‘N Riches Megaways
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| RTP | 95.98% |
| Volatility | High |
| Jackpot Type | N/A |
| Paylines | 117,649 |
| Reels | 6 |
| Max Wager | $20 |
| Max Win | 5,000x |
Cash ‘N Riches Megaways from Triple Edge Studios is a high-volatility, gem-themed slot featuring a 6-reel Megaways reel with up to 117,649 ways to win, an RTP of 95.98%, and cascading reels for consecutive wins. Set against a glitzy, game show-inspired backdrop, the game includes bonus spins with increasing multipliers and a jackpot pick feature offering four fixed jackpots, with a top prize of 5,000x the stake.
