What Is Megaways™?
Megaways™ is a patented slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian software provider. Since its introduction, it has become one of the most influential innovations in online slot design — so popular that BTG has licensed the mechanic to dozens of other major providers including Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming, and iSoftBet.
The core innovation: the number of symbols on each reel changes randomly with every spin, creating a constantly shifting number of ways to win.
How Megaways™ Works
In a standard slot, each reel displays a fixed number of symbols (usually 3 or 4). Megaways™ reels are dynamic — each spin, every reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols. Most Megaways™ games use 6 reels.
The number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols showing on each reel. With 6 reels each showing 7 symbols, the calculation is:
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win
When reels show fewer symbols, the ways to win drop significantly. This creates a game that feels genuinely different on every single spin.
The Cascade / Avalanche Feature
Megaways™ slots almost always incorporate a Cascading Reels (also called Avalanche or Tumble) mechanic. Here's how it works:
- Winning symbols are removed from the reels after a win.
- New symbols fall from above to fill the gaps.
- If the new symbols form another win, the process repeats.
- Each consecutive win in a cascade typically increases a multiplier.
This chain reaction system means a single spin can generate multiple consecutive wins, with growing multipliers significantly amplifying payouts.
Free Spins and Unlimited Win Multipliers
The most exciting element of many Megaways™ games is the free spins round, typically triggered by landing a set number of scatter symbols. Key features during free spins often include:
- A starting win multiplier (e.g., 1x) that increases by 1 with every cascade.
- No cap on the multiplier — it can theoretically grow indefinitely during the bonus round.
- The combination of maximum Megaways™ and a high multiplier creates the potential for very large wins.
Popular Megaways™ Titles
The mechanic has been applied to a wide range of themes and formats. Some widely recognised titles include:
- Bonanza Megaways™ (Big Time Gaming) — the original that launched the trend.
- Extra Chilli Megaways™ (Big Time Gaming)
- Gonzo's Quest Megaways™ (Red Tiger / NetEnt)
- Buffalo King Megaways™ (Pragmatic Play)
- Primal Megaways™ (Blueprint Gaming)
Megaways™ vs. Traditional Slots
| Feature | Traditional Slots | Megaways™ Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Ways to Win | Fixed (e.g., 25, 50) | Dynamic (up to 117,649) |
| Reel Layout | Fixed rows | Variable rows per spin |
| Win Mechanic | Fixed paylines | Cascades with multipliers |
| Volatility | Varies | Typically medium-high to high |
Is Megaways™ Right for You?
Megaways™ slots are generally high volatility games. They can go significant stretches without a big win, but the bonus rounds — particularly with large multipliers — can produce outsized results. They suit players who enjoy dynamic, fast-paced gameplay and are comfortable with variance in their results. If you prefer steadier, more predictable outcomes, lower-volatility classics may be a better fit.