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Bonanza Megaways Slot Review

Bonanza Megaways stands as a truly groundbreaking slot, credited with popularising the dynamic Megaways game mechanic. Launched in December 2016, this mining-themed slot continues to be a favourite among players. It features a 6-reel setup offering up to 117,649 ways to win, complete with a free spins bonus and expanding multipliers. With a maximum win potential of 26,000 times your bet, this review explores this enduring classic.

Slot Details, RTP, and Volatility

While Dragon Born was the first slot to feature the Megaways mechanic, Bonanza Megaways is the game that truly ignited its popularity. The gameplay unfolds across 6 reels, where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin, ranging from 2 to 7. This variability directly influences the number of active ways to win. When all reels display the maximum number of symbols, players can benefit from 117,649 ways to win.

To achieve a win, players need to match 3 or more symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The game boasts a hit rate of 37.47%, meaning a win occurs approximately every 2.67 spins. This is significantly higher than some other slots, offering frequent engagement.

Bet levels range from PKR 20 to PKR 2,000 per spin, adjustable via the stake box. Some international versions allow for up to 100 autoplay spins with configurable win and loss limits.

The Bonanza Megaways RTP is set at 96%, which is considered average. The volatility is categorised as medium to high, indicating a balance between frequent smaller wins and the potential for larger payouts.

The maximum potential win has been increased to 26,000 times the bet, a substantial upgrade from its previous potential. This matches the top prize found in other Big Time Gaming titles. The most rewarding opportunities for significant wins are found within the free spins round, where expanding multipliers can greatly enhance payouts.

Theme, Audio, and Symbols

The theme of Bonanza Megaways centres around mining, with the reels set against a backdrop of a waterfall and a miner's hut. The visual presentation is bright and engaging, depicting a gold mine rather than a dark, gritty environment. The colourful symbols are presented on stone blocks, ensuring they stand out clearly, which is essential given the dynamic nature of the reels.

Accompanying the visuals is an upbeat, banjo-driven soundtrack that complements the mining theme effectively. While the music might not appeal to everyone, it adds a distinctive character to the game. Players have the option to disable the sound effects through the game's settings.

The symbols include standard A to 9 royals, alongside green, blue, and red gemstones, and a sparkling diamond. Landing six diamond symbols awards a payout of 50 times the bet. An additional cart symbol appears above reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, adding symbols to the reels below. The wild symbol, represented by dynamite sticks, can appear in this cart above the central four reels and substitutes for all other symbols except the scatter.

The scatter symbol is a collection of gold letters that can spell out the word 'GOLD'. Landing these triggers the main bonus feature. The symbol payouts are as follows:

Bonanza Megaways on Mobile

Bonanza Megaways is fully accessible on smartphones and tablets, offering a smooth gameplay experience across all devices. The game is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. While the mobile version is highly functional, players who prefer to fully appreciate the detailed visuals might find playing on a larger screen more immersive.

Bonus Features

The primary bonus features in Bonanza Megaways include Reaction Wins, Free Spins, and Multipliers. Although later Megaways titles have introduced more complex features, the offering here remains engaging and action-packed.

Reaction Wins

A core element of Bonanza Megaways is the Reaction Wins feature. When a winning combination lands, the winning symbols are removed from the reels, and new symbols fall into their place. This process can trigger consecutive wins, with reactions continuing until no new winning combinations are formed. This feature is particularly effective during the Free Spins round.

Free Spins with Expanding Multipliers

By spelling out 'G.O.L.D.' with scatter symbols in the base game, players activate the main bonus round, receiving 12 free spins. Each additional scatter symbol appearing on the triggering spin grants an extra 5 free spins, up to a maximum of 22.

The free spins commence with a 1x multiplier. This multiplier increases by 1x with every Reaction win achieved during the free spins. Crucially, the multiplier does not reset after a winless reaction and can continue to grow throughout the round without any upper limit.

A new symbol, a trolley filled with gold bars, acts as a scatter and can appear in the positions above the middle four reels. Landing 3 or 4 of these symbols on a single spin triggers a re-trigger, adding an additional 5 or 10 free spins to the player's total.

Bonanza Megaways Slot Verdict

Bonanza Megaways is undeniably a game-changing slot that not only led to several sequels but also propelled the popularity of the Megaways mechanic. Its innovative Reaction Wins, combined with free spins and multipliers, deliver an impressive overall package. This is further enhanced by a maximum win potential of 26,000 times the bet and a satisfyingly high volatility.

Despite the proliferation of slots utilising the Megaways mechanic, Bonanza Megaways remains a frequent choice for many players. Its elegant design, superb gameplay, and compelling bonus round solidify its status as one of the best Megaways slots ever created. It continues to be a standout title in the online casino landscape.

Bonanza Megaways Pros and Cons

• Fantastic gameplay
• The most popular Megaways slot
• Now offers 26,000x bet max wins

If You Like Bonanza Megaways

The immense success of Bonanza Megaways inspired a series of related releases. Bonanza Megapays offers a similar experience with reaction wins, free spins, and multipliers, but crucially adds a progressive jackpot element. The Mega Jackpot starts at a significant amount and can grow considerably.

Bonanza Falls presents a design akin to the original, retaining the classic Reaction Wins. Its key addition is the Megadozer Free Spins feature, where gold coins can drop onto the reels, awarding multiplier wilds, extra free spins, repeating symbols, or expanding multipliers. With an RTP of 96.51% and a maximum win of 93,540 times the bet, this highly volatile slot serves as a worthy successor to the original Bonanza Megaways.