Since 2016, Megaways slots have been revolutionizing online gambling as they don’t have 10 to 25 fixed paylines like traditional slots. They change how it feels to play slots with their dynamic reel systems that can generate hundreds and even thousands of ways to win on every spin. The number of winning paths changes constantly, and this makes every spin feel different.
Big Time Gaming’s ‘Dragon Born’ was the first Megaways slot, but it was ‘Bonanza Megaways’ that made the real difference. It had a mining theme, up to 117,649 ways to win, and cascading reels, which quickly made it a favorite. Now, the mechanic is licensed to many developers who all put their own twist and characteristics on the Megaways format. Today, there is a huge variety of Megaways slots to choose from.
The mechanics
Reels can display from two to seven symbols on every spin, with the grid constantly changing. Players don’t know how many winning combinations they will get on the next spin. The number of ways to win can reach up to 117,649 in many games. This happens by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel.
As the reels shift constantly, the player experience is never boring when playing Megaways slots on casino apps. There’s a sense that anything could happen. Gonzo’s Quest Megaways combines the mechanics of the original Gonzo’s Quest with the Megaways mechanic.
Cascading wins
Many Megaways slots feature cascading wins, where the winning symbols disappear, and new ones take their place. A single spin has the potential of creating multiple wins. One spin can turn into a chain reaction of wins. This is powerful as spins feel longer and more dramatic. The feature taps into the psychology of momentum and progression.
High volatility
Megaways slots are usually highly volatile, which means they have fewer wins overall, but wins are much bigger when they do hit.
Every spin feels unpredictable
Traditional slots can feel repetitive, but Megaways spins feel dynamic because the reels’ heights change with every spin, win paths change constantly, and cascades can create unexpected combinations of symbols. This unpredictability taps into reward psychology in the brain. It heightens player anticipation when they don’t know what a spin will bring.
Bonus features amplify the experience
Many popular Megaways games include these features, making them a potentially successful option among ideas for quick cash.
- Special symbols that can modify reels or trigger mini games.
- Bonus buy options, which give you direct access to bonus games.
- Mystery symbols which may transform into matching symbols for more winning potential.
- Reel modifiers, which guarantee maximum ways to win.
- Progressive jackpots, making Megaways slots even more attractive.
Free spins rounds may feature unlimited win multipliers that increase with each cascade.
They make players feel that skill matters
Players often have the feeling that Megaways slots reward their patience and build towards bonuses. In fact, the outcomes are random, but their design gives players a sense that they are making progress. As the gameplay is more complex, they remain more engaged, but it isn’t so complex that they feel overwhelmed.
Good timing
Megaways slots exploded at around the same time as social media and streaming became so popular. Gamblers were posting on social media about their wins, and there were Twitch gambling streams and YouTube channels highlighting slots. Online casino content creators began to post about these dynamic slots that were so entertaining to watch and allowed players to win huge amounts.
