Big Time Gaming’s Bonanza Megaways is a 6-reel slot with up to 117,649 ways to win. This title runs on a cascading reels mechanic and features free spins with multipliers for wins worth up to 12,000x your bet.
This game will appeal most to players with a preference for higher-risk gameplay and who can bear stretches of mostly sedate spins to claim bigger payout potential. This iconic slot kicked off the Megaways revolution, but it could do with an extra bonus feature or two.
- Thrilling wins: The fast-paced gameplay keeps you on your toes.
- Top potential: You can win up to 12,000x your bet on any spin.
- Sights and sounds: The game’s high-quality theme has stood the test of time.
- We want more: The gameplay could do with additional bonuses and mechanics.
Bonus Features in Bonanza Megaways
Bonanza Megaways popularized the iconic Megaways slot format with cascading reels, Free Spins, and a progressive multiplier.
Below are explanations of each bonus feature:
1. Cascades
Any winning symbol combinations you land will be removed from the reels, leaving room for more symbols to fall into the gaps. This means you can collect multiple wins from a single spin.
2. Free Spins
When you land four Scatter symbols that spell out the word G O L D in the base game, you will get 12 Free Spins.
Every extra scatter you land will award you an additional 5 starting free spins each, and each time you land 3 scatters during the feature, you will also get a 5-spin boost.
An Unlimited Win Multiplier will be active during the feature. It starts at 1x and increases by +1 with every cascade.
Bonanza Megaways Volatility and Return to Player
The 96% theoretical RTP of Bonanza Megaways is on par with the industry average. The volatility is high, so remember that you’re trading higher wins for potentially more pressure on your bankroll.
The cascade mechanic helps you combat the challenging gameplay by keeping the base game interesting. However, most of this slot’s winning power is bound to the bonus round.
Note! The Return to Player (RTP) for a slot can differ from one online casino to another, as operators may select from several RTP versions supplied by the game developer. For complete accuracy, we recommend checking the RTP information in the game’s help or info section at the casino where you’re playing.
How Does Bonanza Megaways Compare to Similar Megaways Slots?
Bonanza Megaways wasn’t the first Megaways slot, but it took the industry by storm with its then-brand-new revolutionary slot mechanic. Let’s see how this pioneering title stands up to three other high-impact Megaways slots.
- Unearth ancient treasures in Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, a slot that takes you on a jungle adventure.
- Go on a fishing trip in Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, and reel in big prizes with Free Spins and multipliers.
- The beat goes on in Money Stacks Megaways, an EDM-infused slot featuring classic looks and potent Wild multipliers.
| Bonanza Megaways | Gonzo’s Quest Megaways | Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | Money Stacks Megaways | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Big Time Gaming | Red Tiger | Pragmatic Play | Pragmatic Play |
| Max Win | 12,000x | 21,000x | 4,000x | 10,000x |
| Features | Free spins, progressive multipliers, cascades, megaways | Free spins, progressive multiplier, sticky wilds, symbol removal, avalanche wins, Megaways | Free spins, collect, progressive multiplier, prize upgrades, Megaways | Free spins, progressive multiplier, multiplier wilds, collect, bonus buy, Megaways |
| Volatility | High | Medium | High | High |
| RTP | 96% | 96% | 96.7% | 96.52% |
Bonanza Megaways Symbols and Payouts
The Bonanza Megaways paytable showcases glittering gem symbols, along with card royals.
The highest-valued symbol is the diamond, which awards you 50x your bet if you manage to land 6 of a kind. This is decent for a top symbol payout, as far as Megaways slots go, so you can still claim satisfying wins while you wait to trigger the bonus.
Bonanza Megaways offers prizes worth up to 12,000x your bet.
Here are the game’s symbol combinations and their payout values:
| 6 symbols | 5 symbols | 4 symbols | 3 symbols | 2 symbols | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 50x bet | 25x bet | 10x bet | 5x bet | 2x bet |
| Red Gem | 7.5x bet | 2.5x bet | 2x bet | 1x bet | — |
| Blue Gem | 2x bet | 1.5x bet | 1x bet | 0.25x bet | — |
| Green Gem | 2x bet | 0.75x bet | 0.5x bet | 0.25x bet | — |
| A | 1.75x bet | 0.6x bet | 0.4x bet | 0.2x bet | — |
| K | 1.75x bet | 0.6x bet | 0.4x bet | 0.2x bet | — |
| Q | 1x bet | 0.6x bet | 0.25x bet | 0.2x bet | — |
| J | 1x bet | 0.5x bet | 0.25x bet | 0.15x bet | — |
| 10 | 0.9x bet | 0.5x bet | 0.25x bet | 0.15x bet | — |
| 9 | 0.8x bet | 0.4x bet | 0.2x bet | 0.1x bet | — |
How to Play Bonanza Megaways
The Bonanza Megaways game controls are arranged next to the reels. Above the big spin button, you’ll find the autoplay, menu, and betting buttons.
The game’s trend-setting layout features a bonus horizontal reel above the main grid, which is the only place where the Wild symbols can land.
Bonanza Megaways: Theme, Presentation, and Music
Bonanza Megaways plays out in front of a rustic mining scene. The reels are set in a massive rock face, and the scenery switches from day to night when you activate the bonus round. The high-energy country music soundtrack suits the fast-paced gameplay perfectly.
Verdict
Bonanza Megaways has earned its place as an industry icon, and it’s not hard to see how. This slot made big waves in the iGaming sphere, and we’re always happy when we get to give it another look. The cascading reels keep the wins rolling in, but the biggest action is in the bonus round, where the multiplier grows every time you win.
There isn’t much to critique when it comes to this title, but the base game can get a bit dull with only cascades to keep you busy. Adding a multiplier or special Wild modifier would have made a big difference.
Bonanza Megaways FAQs
How much can I win in Bonanza Megaways?
The largest possible payout you can win from a single spin is 12,000x your bet.
Was this the first Megaways Game?
No, the first slot to feature the Megaways mechanic is called Dragon Born, and it was released in early 2016, while Bonanza was released 10 months later.
Can I retrigger Free Spins?
Yes, every time you land 3 scatters during the bonus, you will receive 5 more Free Spins.
