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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
Bonanza Megaways start screen.
Below are explanations of each bonus feature:
1. Cascading Reels
Every winning combination disappears from the grid. Base reels fill from top to bottom, while the top cart reel fills from right to left, allowing multiple consecutive wins on a single stake.
2. G-O-L-D Free Spins
Landing four Scatter symbols spelling out G-O-L-D anywhere on the main grid triggers 12 Free Spins.
Extra Scatters:Each additional Scatter landing on the trigger spin adds +5 starting spins.
In-Feature Retriggers: Gold carts appearing on the top reel during free spins grant extra spins (3 carts = +5 spins, 4 carts = +10 spins).
2. Unlimited Win Multiplier
Active exclusively during Free Spins. The multiplier starts at 1x and increases by +1 after every successful cascade with no upper limit, remaining active and building throughout the duration of the feature.
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.
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
Bonanza Megaways utilizes a 6-reel grid alongside a top horizontal mine cart reel position that sits directly above reels 2–5. Each main reel can show between 2 and 7 symbols per spin, generating up to 117,649 ways to win.
Set your wager using the stake adjusters next to the control panel ($0.20 to $20.00 per spin).
Press the Spin button or open the Autoplay menu to select automated spins with loss limits.
Win by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel.
Cascades: Winning symbols explode and clear from the grid, allowing new symbols to fall from above (and carts to slide in from the right on the top reel) to form chain reaction wins.
Wild Placement: Dynamite Wilds appear exclusively on the top horizontal cart reel (above reels 2–5) and substitute for all standard symbols except G-O-L-D scatters.
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.
Gameplay Analysis (Hands-On Test Session)
I finished with 861.50 credits remaining from my 1,000-credit starting bankroll.
I started the session with a 4-credit bet and got off to a promising start with a 9.60-credit win before the gameplay settled into Bonanza Megaways' familiar rhythm of cascading wins and short dry spells. Smaller returns of 10.80, 6 and 3.40 credits kept my bankroll ticking over, but they weren't enough to build any real momentum. I kept my stake at 4 credits for most of the session before increasing it to 5 credits for the closing spins, but with no bonus feature triggered, I finished with 861.50 credits remaining from my 1,000-credit starting bankroll.
Dead Spin Analysis
The longest dry spell lasted seven consecutive spins, with several shorter stretches of two to six dead spins throughout the session. Although the cascading reels regularly delivered smaller wins, they rarely developed into the larger combinations needed to generate significant momentum.
Time to Bonus
The Free Spins feature didn't trigger during the session. While the base game provided regular activity through cascading wins, it became clear that the slot's biggest payout potential remained locked behind the bonus feature.
Feature Analysis
Without reaching the bonus round, the session showcased Bonanza Megaways' signature cascading reels and ever-changing Megaways combinations. The avalanche mechanic kept spins flowing smoothly, but without a feature trigger, the gameplay relied heavily on smaller base-game connections that weren't enough to offset the steady cost of each spin.
Results:
Starting Bankroll: 1,000 credits
Ending Bankroll: 861.50 credits
Bet Range: 4–5 credits
Biggest Win: 10.80 credits
Longest Dead Spin Streak: 7 spins
Time to Bonus: Bonus not triggered
Free Spins Triggered: No
Ended in a Loss -138.50 credits
Takeaways
Bonanza Megaways remains one of the most recognisable Megaways slots thanks to its mining theme, cascading reels and energetic soundtrack. The gameplay flows well, with frequent smaller wins helping maintain engagement, while the constantly changing reel layouts ensure every spin feels different. Although this session never reached the Free Spins feature, it highlighted how enjoyable the base game can be, even if the biggest rewards ultimately depend on landing the bonus.
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.
