The Origin of Megaways

Megaways was invented and patented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian slot developer founded in 2011. The mechanic first appeared in Bonanza in 2016, which became one of the most celebrated slot games of its era. Big Time Gaming recognised that the fixed reel and payline structures dominating the industry were limiting what was possible in terms of gameplay variety.

The Megaways patent allowed BTG to license the mechanic to other developers, which they began doing aggressively from around 2018. This decision transformed Megaways from a single studio's innovation into an industry-wide phenomenon. Dozens of developers, including Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming, and iSoftBet, have since released Megaways titles under licence.

The licence arrangement means you will see the "Megaways" name appear on games from many different studios, all using the same core mechanic with their own themes, features, and RTP profiles.

How the Variable Reel Mechanic Works

In a standard slot, each reel displays a fixed number of symbols. A 5x3 grid always shows 3 symbols per reel. In a Megaways slot, the number of symbols displayed on each reel changes randomly with every spin. A standard 6-reel Megaways game allows each reel to show between 2 and 7 symbols per spin.

This variability is what generates the enormous number of ways to win. The number of ways to win on any given spin equals the product of all the symbols showing across the reels. If a 6-reel game shows 7, 5, 6, 4, 7, 3 symbols respectively, the calculation is 7 x 5 x 6 x 4 x 7 x 3 = 17,640 ways to win on that spin.

At maximum height (all reels showing 7 symbols), the calculation is 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways to win. This is the figure you see marketed for most 6-reel Megaways games.

Importantly, there is no guarantee of reaching maximum ways on any particular spin. The average number of ways on a typical spin is considerably lower than 117,649. However, the chance of landing a high-ways spin simultaneously with strong symbols creates explosive win potential that standard payline games cannot match.

The Horizontal Reel Bar

Most Megaways implementations include an additional horizontal reel bar above or below the main reels. This strip typically shows a single symbol per spin, and that symbol applies to all reels for the purpose of winning combinations. The horizontal bar effectively adds an extra symbol position to every reel simultaneously, creating additional winning opportunities.

The exact mechanics of the horizontal bar vary between games. In some implementations it adds symbols to specific reels; in others it applies universally. The paytable of each specific game will explain how its horizontal reel functions.

Cascading Wins: A Near-Universal Companion

Megaways slots almost universally combine their variable reel mechanic with cascading (or "tumble") wins. After a winning combination is paid, the winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall from above to fill the empty spaces. This can trigger additional winning combinations from the same spin, which cascade until no new wins form.

The combination of variable reels and cascading wins creates a dynamic playing experience very different from traditional slots. A single spin can generate multiple consecutive wins across rapidly changing reel configurations, with each cascade potentially creating more or fewer ways to win depending on how the new symbols land.

During free spins rounds, cascades often also increase a growing multiplier, as described below.

The Free Spins Feature and Unlimited Multipliers

The free spins bonus round is the centrepiece of most Megaways games. Typically triggered by landing scatter symbols, the feature operates differently from standard free spins. The defining element is an unlimited multiplier that increases with each cascade during free spins.

The multiplier starts at 1x and increases by 1 (or sometimes more) with each consecutive cascade win. A spin with five consecutive cascades would apply a 5x multiplier to the final win, or potentially much higher if the multiplier grew faster. Since there is no cap on the multiplier in many Megaways games, an extended cascade sequence during free spins can produce extraordinary payouts.

This mechanic is what drives the very high maximum win potential (often 50,000x or more) advertised by Megaways games. The combination of a high-ways spin, strong symbols, cascading wins, and a large accumulated multiplier simultaneously occurring creates the conditions for maximum payout events, which are extremely rare but mathematically possible.

Why Megaways Slots Tend Towards High Volatility

The structure of Megaways games naturally produces high volatility. The base game frequently delivers low-ways spins with minimal win potential, while the real payout potential is concentrated in the free spins feature. This means base game play can feel quite dry, with many spins producing no wins.

When the bonus does trigger, the unlimited multiplier and cascading mechanics create the conditions for significant payouts. The result is a game that alternates between extended quiet periods and explosive feature rounds, which is the classic high volatility profile.

This is important for South African players to understand before playing. Megaways games require larger bankrolls relative to bet size to give the feature time to trigger. Playing a Megaways game with only 20-30 spins of budget is unlikely to give a representative experience of what the game can do.

Top Megaways Slots Available to SA Players

Several excellent Megaways titles are available for free play on MzansiSlots and at licensed South African operators. Here are the most notable:

Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play)

Buffalo King Megaways is one of Pragmatic Play's most successful releases and a strong favourite with South African players. The African savanna theme resonates locally, and the game delivers a massive 200,704 ways to win at maximum, achieved through a 6x8 reel configuration. The free spins feature includes a retrigger mechanic and scatter pays. Try it free: Buffalo King Megaways demo.

Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)

While Gates of Olympus is technically a tumble slot rather than a Megaways game (it uses a 6x5 grid with cluster pays), it shares many characteristics with Megaways titles and is South Africa's most popular online slot. The unlimited multiplier mechanic during free spins and the "Ante Bet" option make it a natural recommendation for Megaways fans. Try it free: Gates of Olympus demo.

Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)

Big Bass Bonanza is not a Megaways game in the strict sense but is one of the most played Pragmatic Play titles in South Africa. The fishing theme, clear mechanics, and medium-high volatility profile have made it an excellent entry point for players new to feature-heavy slots. It has spawned numerous sequels. Try it free: Big Bass Bonanza demo.

Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming)

The original Megaways game, Bonanza, remains one of the best examples of the format. The mining theme, reactive soundtrack that builds with each cascade, and powerful free spins with unlimited multiplier make it a classic worth understanding even if you mostly play newer titles.

Extra Chilli Megaways (Big Time Gaming)

Extra Chilli introduces a unique element: you can spend spins during the base game to purchase additional free spins before triggering the feature. This mechanic adds a layer of decision-making absent from most slots and makes the bonus building process interactive.

Pragmatic Play and Red Tiger Megaways

Pragmatic Play holds a Megaways licence and has used it extensively, producing some of the most played Megaways titles available to South African players. Their approach typically pairs the Megaways mechanic with their established tumble and multiplier systems, creating games with consistent volatility profiles and strong feature round potential.

Red Tiger Gaming (now part of Evolution) also holds a Megaways licence and has produced numerous titles under the mechanic. Red Tiger's Megaways games often feature their proprietary "Mega" progressive jackpot systems alongside the Megaways mechanic, though jackpots are only available in real money mode.

When choosing between Megaways games from different providers, the most important factors are the stated RTP (check this in the paytable), the maximum win potential, and whether the free spins feature includes a capped or uncapped multiplier. Uncapped multipliers provide more theoretical upside but also more variance.

Are Megaways Slots Better Than Traditional Slots?

Megaways games are not objectively better or worse than traditional slots. They are different, and the difference matters for matching a game to your preferences and budget.

Megaways games suit players who:

  • Enjoy high-variance, feast-or-famine playing experiences.
  • Have sufficient budget to weather extended base game dry spells.
  • Find the dynamic changing reel structure visually engaging.
  • Are aiming for large potential payouts rather than consistent small wins.

Traditional fixed-payline or cluster pay slots may suit you better if you prefer more consistent win frequency, smaller budget sessions, or simpler feature structures.

The best approach is to try multiple game types in free demo mode before deciding which format matches your playing style. MzansiSlots offers free demo versions of Megaways games and traditional slots side by side, making comparison straightforward.