If you have been playing online slots for any period of time, chances are you will have encountered the Megaways gameplay mechanic. This is a popular reel modifier that allows games to offer an increased number of ways to win, often up into the hundreds of thousands. In this online Megaways slots guide, we are going to explore exactly what Megaways is, how it works, and more.
Megaways was designed and developed by the Australian company, Big Time Gaming. The first slot to use the feature was Dragon Born, but it did not become hugely popular until the release of the Bonanza online slot. This became an instant hit with players, with streamers, in particular, taking to the game’s exciting gameplay and winning potential.
Since then, the mechanic has developed and it is now one of the most popular types of online slots. Big Time Gaming licences other developers to use it, and the number of Megaways slots online continues to grow.
Megaways slots will often come with a selection of different bonus features to complement the titular mechanic. Let’s look at some of the most popular online Megaways features you will encounter.
No online slot is complete without some free spins. These do as they say on the tin, providing players with a number of free spins to work with. In Megaways titles, these are often modified in some way to help boost winning potential.
Mystery symbols are a popular online slot bonus feature. Whenever more than one mystery symbol lands, they will be revealed to be matching symbols.
The above-mentioned bonuses are just some of the bonus features you will encounter when playing Megaways slots online. There are a variety of other unique features that can be encountered depending on the slot and the developer.
In selected markets, players may be able to buy their way into a bonus round. This option is no longer available for UK customers following changes made by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Megaways slots tend to have generous RTPs, owing to the unique nature of their set-up and the increased number of ways to win in the game.
Megaways slots have become extremely popular since the mechanic hit the market in 2015, and upon closer inspection, it is easy to see why. The most obvious advantage of Megaways slots is the increased number of ways to win on each spin. This is a major selling point for players, and often gives games a higher RTP than standard slots.
They also provide an alternative taken on classic slot games. They have become an excellent way to breathe life into a franchise or to freshen up an old slot game that players have lost interest in.
Above all else, Megaways slots tend to just be more fun than standard slots. The increased number of ways to win, combined with their additional bonus features, and winning potential makes them a hugely attractive proposition for players.
One of the biggest disadvantages of Megaways slots is that they can be somewhat confusing to newer players. The complex mathemathics model can leave players feeling a little lost and features like Cascading Reels sometimes add to this. This is not really a huge con, though. Players should play Megaways slots for free for a while, and they will soon adjust to how these games work and unlock the potential they bring. Another con, at least for some players, is that Megaways titles are not available in all international markets.
Megaways is one of the most exciting innovations to have ever happened to online slots. The addition of the mechanic has been able to transform even the most mediocre of online slot games into an exciting gameplay experience with tons of winning potential.
As always, we would like to remind our readers to gamble responsibly. An increased number of ways to win does not mean that you are more likely to win, and the house will always have the advantage when you are playing online slots. Online slots can be highly addictive, and, as such, players should make sure they practise responsible gambling techniques.