Bonanza Megaways at a Glance
- Developer
- Big Time Gaming
- Release date
- December 2016
- Grid
- 6 reels with 2 to 7 symbols each, plus a horizontal reel above reels 2 to 5
- How wins are formed
- Megaways: up to 117,649 ways
- Main mechanic
- Reactions (cascading reels)
- RTP
- 96%
- Volatility
- Medium-high to high, depending on the source
- Maximum win
- Up to 26,000x the stake (some sources list a lower figure)
- Free spins
- 4 GOLD scatters award 12 free spins
- Multipliers
- Free spins multiplier rises by 1 with every Reaction, with no limit
- Extra options
- Bonus buy in some versions and markets
Figures are based on information published for the game. Always check the information screen of the version you are playing, as figures and options can differ between casinos and regions.
How Bonanza Megaways Works
The game is set in a gold mine, with gems, gold and a mine cart running along the top of the reels.
Megaways Reels
There are six main reels, and each one shows between two and seven symbols on every spin. Above reels 2 to 5 sits a horizontal reel, styled as a mine cart track, which adds one extra symbol to each of those reels. Because reel heights change every spin, the number of ways to win changes too, up to a maximum of 117,649.
Wins are formed by three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel, in any position. See Megaways Slots Explained and Ways to Win Slots Explained.
Reactions
After a win, the winning symbols explode and new symbols drop in to replace them, and the mine cart reel shifts along to fill its gaps. If a new win forms, the process repeats. Big Time Gaming calls this mechanic Reactions. See Cascading Reels Explained.
Symbols
- Card ranks are the lower-paying symbols.
- Coloured gems are the higher-paying symbols.
- The dynamite wild appears only on the horizontal mine cart reel and substitutes for all symbols except scatters. See Wild Symbols Explained.
- Gold scatters show the letters G, O, L and D and land only on the main reels.
The game's paytable lists the exact value of each symbol.
Bonus Features
Free Spins
Landing all four GOLD scatters in a single spin triggers 12 free spins. Each additional scatter beyond the fourth adds five more spins. During the feature, landing three scatters awards five extra spins, and landing four awards ten.
Unlimited Win Multiplier
During free spins, the win multiplier starts at 1x and increases by 1 with every Reaction. There is no upper limit, and the multiplier does not reset between spins or when the feature is retriggered. It only resets when free spins end.
This is what makes the game famous. A long free spins round with many Reactions can build a very high multiplier. Equally, a round with few Reactions can pay very little. See Slot Multipliers Explained.
Bonus Buy
Some versions of the game, in some markets, allow players to buy their way into free spins for a large multiple of the stake. This option is not available everywhere, including the UK. Read Slot Buy Features Explained before considering it.
RTP and Volatility
The published RTP is 96%. Check the game's information screen to confirm the figure for the version you are playing. See Pokies RTP Explained.
The game is generally described as medium-high to high volatility, and some sources classify it as very high. In practice:
- The number of ways varies widely, so some spins have little chance of winning
- Base-game Reactions are often small
- Free spins can take a long time to trigger, because all four GOLD letters must land together
- The biggest wins depend on long Reaction chains in free spins
See Slot Volatility Explained and RTP vs Actual Slot Results.
Maximum Win
The maximum win is published at up to 26,000 times the stake, although some sources list a lower figure for earlier versions. Wins of this size are extremely rare and should never be treated as a realistic goal.
Gameplay, Design and Mobile Play
Bonanza Megaways has a classic look by modern standards, with a rocky mine backdrop, glowing gems and explosive Reaction animations. The changing reel heights and ways counter make every spin look different. The game runs on desktop and mobile, and a free-play demo is widely available. See Demo Slots Explained.
Its success led Big Time Gaming to license the Megaways mechanic to many other developers, which is why so many Megaways games exist today.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The original, influential Megaways game
- Reactions can create several wins from one spin
- Free spins multiplier has no upper limit and never resets during the round
- High maximum win
Cons
- Free spins can be hard to trigger, as all four GOLD letters are needed
- Results vary widely from spin to spin
- Free spins with few Reactions can pay very little
- Design feels dated next to newer games
Who Might Like Bonanza Megaways?
Bonanza Megaways may appeal to players who enjoy the variety of changing reels and the tension of watching a multiplier build in free spins. It suits only players comfortable with long gaps between features and very uneven results. Every spin is random, and the house edge always applies.
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Playing Responsibly
Waiting for all four GOLD letters can keep players spinning for a long time. Set a budget and time limit before you start, and stop when you reach them. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
In Australia, it is illegal for companies to offer online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
