How Megaways Mechanic Took Online Gaming by Storm

The Megaways mechanic is one of the most popular recent innovations among online slots

The story of Megaways online slots games begins with the release of Big Time Gaming’s 2015 title Dragon Born. BTG was not a particularly influential part of the gaming industry back then, so it failed to get much traction. Eventually, though, following the more successful Bonanza from 2016, bigger names started to take notice.

Soon enough, industry heavy-hitters like NetEnt and Storm Gaming started purchasing the licence to this innovative mechanic. It spread like wildfire, spicing up the classic online slots formula in a big way. So – what are Megaways slots and what makes them different?

What is Megaways?

At first glance, the basic idea is simple enough. The number of symbols on a reel in Megaways slots changes with each spin. For instance, one reel might have 5 symbols on your first spin and 3 on the second. Of course, this applies to every reel, the number of which depends on the title in question.

As you might imagine, this greatly increases the number of possible outcomes for every spin. It’s much easier to understand how Megaways slots work in practice if you try out a specific title.

How Does Megaways Mechanic Work

The differences to standard slots games do not end there, however. Usually, winning is a matter of lining up the same symbols along a specific payline.

With Megaways, the goal is to get identical symbols on 3 or more adjacent reels. Note that the position of the symbols on the reel itself does not matter. Additionally, identical symbols along the same reel are not considered a winning combination. However, it’s important that that the reels with said symbols are lined up one after the other.

The fact that Megaways reels change the number of symbols with each spin complicates things further. Throw in a few of the more usual mechanics such as multipliers or free spins, and it’s easy to see why Megaways titles can be so exciting.

That being said, Megaways games are fairly volatile as online slots go. You’ll need to give one quite a few spins before you start seeing noticeable returns. When you do, though, the results can be exhilarating.

The Best Megaways Slots

With that out of the way, here are our suggestions for the top Megaways slots games in online casinos.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways – Red Tiger

A Megaways spin on NetEnt’s acclaimed Gonzo’s Quest title from 2013. This Mayan Temple-themed game boasts a 94.66% RTP rate, multiplier mechanics, and Red Tiger’s signature stamp of quality. Gonzo’s Quest Megaways is arguably one of the most successful games of its kind, and just a few spins make it easy to see why.

Starz Megaways – Pragmatic Play

Starz is a simpler, more toned-down take on the Megaways slots. As such, it may serve as a good introduction for first-time Megaways players. The relatively few symbols and simple presentation make it easy to keep track of what’s going on. Additionally, the 96.48% RTP rate is quite respectable.

Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways – Blueprint

This is another Megaways variation of a much older title. This time, it’s RTG’s Fishin’ Frenzy from 2014. Released in 2019, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways is for players who like to enjoy interesting mechanics with little hassle.

Ted Megaways – Blueprint

This game is probably one of the first Megaways slots made using a licenced IP. However, the relation to Seth MacFarlane’s box office hit is not its only appeal. It also comes with a host of bonus mechanics, cascading symbols, and an RTP of 96.03%.

Rainbow Riches Megaways – Barcrest

RRM is a rather colourful take on a Megaways game. With more than 120000 ways to win, wild symbols, and a myriad other features – it’s not going to get old any time soon. If Megaways alone aren’t enough to keep your attention, this is the title for you.