Our slots writer, Dominic Field, has explored the vast range of Megaways™ games available to UK players and picked out 10 of his favourites for you to enjoy.  Check them out here.

Since making its debut in 2016, the Megaways™ engine has revolutionised the world of online slots. 

Created by Australian developers Big Time Gaming, it was a world-first, enabling slot games to dynamically alter the number of paylines in play on every spin. This makes for a unique experience every time, opening up the possibility of huge maximum payouts, with hundreds of thousands, and in some cases millions, of potential ways to win!

On this page, we highlight the very best Megaways™ slots, as well as explaining exactly how this most innovative of gameplay elements works.

Top 10 Megaways Slots

Here is a bit more about each of the games in our top 10 and why we love them so much.

Bonanza By The Numbers

• RTP: 96%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 12,000x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: 2 to 7
• Paylines: Up to 117,649
• Release Date: December 2016

Here’s Why We Love It

• Superb mix of free spins and progressive multipliers in bonus round
• Classic gold-mining theme
• Catchy banjo soundtrack

More About Bonanza Slot

No list of the best Megaways™ slots could possibly be complete without Bonanza Megaways™. Launched in December 2016, it is one of the earliest titles to use the innovative mechanic. Although the initial release wasn’t met with a great deal of fanfare, it quickly became the game of choice for many, including streamers.

It felt for a long time as if the entire slots community only played Bonanza Megaways™. It was unique at the time, with its variable ways to win and maximum win potential of 12,000x. That figure pales into insignificance compared to modern releases, but at the time, it was a game changer. 

It’s not exaggerating to say that this is one of the most influential releases of recent times, if not the entire history of slots. One of the first truly viral online casino slots, it helped to popularise the now ubiquitous Megaways™ engine.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 21,000x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: 2 to 7
• Paylines: 117,649
• Release Date: July 2020

Here’s Why We Love It

• Update on an all-time 3-d slot classic
• Fun Gonzo character makes it feel interactive
• Big 21,000x top win

More About Gonzo’s Quest Megaways Slot

NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest series dates back to 2011 and is one of the most popular casino game franchises ever created. So when the company acquired Red Tiger Gaming, gaining access to their Megaways™ licence, it was inevitable that the intrepid explorer would soon be subject to a reboot.

That came in July 2020, with the release of Gonzo’s Quest Megaways™. The game captures all of the original’s charm and unique features, only with vastly superior visuals and, of course, a different layout. Thanks to the Megaways™ mechanic, the six reels and up to seven rows offer a maximum of 117,649 ways to win.

A highly volatile game, the 21,000x maximum win potential remains attractive enough, even by modern standards. While the 96.00% RTP represents a slight increase over its predecessor. But the game really stands out as another milestone in the Megaways™ journey, taking an incredibly successful series and further improving it.

Max Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.37%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 139,200x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up To 7
• Paylines: Up to 117,649
• Release Date: September 2022

Here’s Why We Love It

• Stunning top win of 139,200x
• Fun secret agent theme
• Lots of modifiers including a Max Megaways with GURANTEED 117,649 paylines

More About Max Megaways

The highly volatile Max Megaways™ is a tongue-in-cheek take on the world of secret agents. An evil villain’s lair is the setting, with six slot reels carved into the side of a volcano. Above them is an additional row of four extra symbols sitting beneath a siren, which plays a key role in this intriguing game. 

Something that’s a little different in this September 2021 release is the variety of modifiers within the base game. After every spin, a wild modifier can randomly kick in. If it does, the alarm goes off and one of four unique actions takes place. Our favourite is Maximum Megaways. Here, each of the six reels displays the full quota of symbols, greatly increasing the ways to win and potential rewards. This offers a great chance of hitting the staggering 139,200x top prize.

Unusually, it was announced prior to the slot’s release that a series of three Max Megaways™ titles would be produced. Max Megaways™ 2 dropped in July 2023 with an even more impressive 147,620x maximum win potential. This is the biggest of any Megaways™ slot to date.

Rasputin Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.68%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 68,180x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up To 7
• Paylines: Up to 2,985,984
• Release Date: December 2022

Here’s Why We Love It

• Fantastical historical theme
• Two free spind rounds with extra multipliers
• Over 2 million paylines to win on!

More About Rasputin Megaways

Released in December 2022, this potentially rewarding slot features a decent RTP of 96.68% and a chunky maximum potential prize of 68,180x. Perhaps most interestingly of all though, the Megaways™ engine allows for one million potential ways to win. As if that weren’t enough, this figure can theoretically grow to an incredible 2,985,984 during the free spins bonus!

Another highly enjoyable feature of Rasputin Megaways™ is the music. Samples from the familiar Boney M disco track play in the background with each spin. Better still, trigger the free spins bonus and choose from two different games, both of which play out to a full remix of the pop classic.

Rasputin Megaways™ is aimed at the more casual slots player. Aside from the colourful visuals and upbeat sounds, the betting limits range from £0.10 per spin, rising to a maximum of just £20.

Bloodsuckers Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: Up to 97.66%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 20,521x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up to 7
• Paylines: Up to 117,649
• Release Date: January 2023

Here’s Why We Love It

• Another classic slot given the Megaways makeover
• Really high RTP at 97.66%
• Super Wilds with up to 7x multipliers

More About Bloosuckers Megaways

The first Bloodsuckers slot is an all-time classic of the genre. Celebrating its tenth birthday in 2023, the original NetEnt release was famous for its massive 98.00% RTP. To this day, few online slots have been created which surpass this unbelievably generous figure. 

An initial follow up to this popular vampire-themed title came out in 2017. But in January 2023, the franchise was given a complete makeover by the creative team at Red Tiger Gaming. Along with improved graphics and some interesting new features, the addition of the Megaways™ mechanic took the game to new heights. 

The developers have managed to maintain a high RTP of 97.66%, although some online casinos do offer lower values. Similarly, the low-stakes approach of the earlier games in the series is retained, with a maximum possible spin of just £4. Finally, this is a highly volatile slot with a maximum win potential of 20,521x.

Primal Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.76%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 50,000x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up to 6
• Paylines: Up to 46,656
• Release Date: November 2018

Here’s Why We Love It

• Go back to pre-historic times with an unusual slot theme
• Up to 30 free spins with 6x multipliers
• Multipliers combine to by multiplying to become HUUUUUGE!

More About Primal Megaways

With a fun and cartoonish prehistoric theme, this November 2018 release is a little unusual compared to most Megaways™ titles. It’s extremely volatile, like a lot of its peers, but there are only 46,656x possible ways to win. Although some Megaways™ titles offer a lot more, the standard figure you’d expect to see is 117,649.

However, despite the smaller number of potential paylines, this is a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the Palaeolithic era. Keep an eye out for sabre-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths as you spin the reels to an engaging, drum-heavy soundtrack. Find at least three skull scatters to trigger the simple but enjoyable bonus round.

There you’ll receive anywhere from 10 to 30 free spins, depending on the number of triggering scatters. In addition, there are wild multipliers of up to 6x, which combine to create enormous possible payouts. Best of all, if you don’t win anything during the bonus feature, the entire round retriggers, ensuring you’ll never leave empty handed.

Golden Catch By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.53%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 31,430x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up to 7
• Paylines: Up to 117,649
• Release Date: May 2022

Here’s Why We Love It

• One of the best fishing slots in a crowded genre
• Free spins re-triggers are available
• High RTP at 96.53%

More About Golden Catch

It’s extremely unusual for a Megaways™ slot not to feature the name of this innovative mechanic in its title. But Golden Catch is a rare exception. Although fishing-themed slots are not exactly a groundbreaking innovation, this May 2022 release does at least contain a few fun features. 

Our favourite is the Win Exchange game. Whenever you earn a payout of between 25x and 100x your stake, it’s possible to gamble. You don’t have to, of course, if you’d prefer to just bank the cash. But you could spin a lucky wheel and possibly exchange your reward for 10 free spins. Should you win a prize in excess of 100x, you can simply swap it for 10 free spins without spinning the wheel. 

The setup is pretty standard as Megaways™ games go. There are six reels with anywhere from two to seven rows, making for a maximum of 117,649 ways to win. The RTP is decent too, clocking in at an above-average 96.53%. Expect a high level of volatility from your spins, which begin at £0.20 each and are capped at a maximum of £15.

Genie Jackpots Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.52%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 10,000x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: 2 to 5
• Paylines: Up to 15,625
• Release Date: September 2018

Here’s Why We Love It

• Fans of the original will love this upgrade with tons of potential
• Loads of extras including unlimited multipliers and locked wilds
• Genie Streak in free spins – re-spins after every win to see if you can better the result

More About Genie Jackpots Megaways

Released in September 2018, Genie Jackpots Megaways™ is a typically good fun Blueprint Gaming title. Aside from the purple genie character, which puts us in mind of the Robin Williams-voiced character in Aladdin, it’s a colourful and energetic slot all-round. Expect gorgeous graphics and quality animations that hold up well against more modern titles. 

The maximum bet limit of £10 supports the feeling of a slot aimed at casual players seeking a fun game. An RTP of 96.52% is pretty rewarding though, while the volatility is a little lower than many Megaways™ games, described as “medium to high”.

Another unusual element to Genie Jackpots Megaways™ is that the maximum number of rows only expands to five. Coupled with the standard six reel display, this makes for a potential 15,625 paylines – far less than the standard 117,649. However, the highly entertaining bonus game, with its four mystery bonus features, more than makes up for it.

Beef Lightning Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 96.43%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 56,000x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up to 7
• Paylines: Up to 117,649
• Release Date: June 2021

Here’s Why We Love It

• Fun, cartoon theme with lots of humour
• 28,674x win possible in the base game

More About Beef Lightning Megaways

This humorously-titled slot takes its name from the cattle which are the stars of the show. The main base game is set on a farm, with a barn visible in the background and a cattle grate beneath the playing grid. Various farmyard paraphernalia can be found on the reels, including a cowbell and a horseshoe, alongside various cows and bulls.

However, the main attraction of Beef Lightning Megaways™ is undoubtedly the unique bonus game. Collect at least three scatter symbols, which spell out the word “MOO”, to trigger a cattle auction. You’ll start out with a single cow and zero bids. But as you progress, coins will appear on the reels, revealing additional cows and increasing the auction bid value. 

Come the end of the bonus round, your final bid amount is multiplied by the number of cows to reveal your overall reward. Coins may also trigger cash payouts of up to 2,500x. 

Age of Gods Kings of Olympus Megaways By The Numbers

• RTP: 95.94%
• Variance: High
• Top Win: 5,295x
• Reels: 6
• Rows: Up To 7
• Paylines: Up To 117,649
• Release Date: January 2023

Here’s Why We Love It

• Up to 20x multipliers even in base game
• Comes with a progressive jackpot too
• Superb, epic graphics and narrative

More About Age Of Gods Kings of Olympus Megaways Slot

Playtech launched their Age of the Gods™ series back in 2016. This particular title began life as a five reel, 25 payline slot, but was subject to a Megaways™ makeover early in 2023. The new setup is the familiar six reel layout, with up to seven dynamic rows making for a potential 117,649 ways to win.

Age of the Gods™ has been a huge success for industry giants Playtech. So it’s little surprise to see that combining it with another smash hit innovation, in the shape of the ever-popular Megaways™ engine, has proven to be a masterstroke. 

Unlike earlier Megaways™ games such as Bonanza, it’s possible to find wild and scatter symbols on the main reels. Spell out the word “ZEUS” with scatters to trigger the free spins bonus. However, there are four progressive jackpots up for grabs too, which helps to differentiate this particular slot from other Megaways™ releases.

The Return To Player (RTP) rate is one of the most important factors to assess when choosing which slot to play. In short, it explains how much bang you’re getting for your buck. 

The higher the figure, the less money is retained by the game, meaning a better chance of success for the player. For example, a 97.80% RTP means that, over an infinite number of spins, the game returns £97.80 for every £100 spent.

Here are top ten highest-paying Megaways™ slots in terms of RTP:

• White Rabbit Megaways™ – 97.77%
• Blood Suckers Megaways™ – 97.66%
• Buffalo Rising All Action Megaways™ – 97.01%
• Genie Jackpots Megaways™ – 96.52%
• Gorilla Gold Megaways™ – 97.00%
• Queen of Riches Megaways™ – 96.90%
• Primal Megaways™ – 96.76%
• King of Cats Megaways™ – 96.72%
• Diamond Mine All Action Megaways™ – 96.70%
• Rasputin Megaways™ – 96.68%

Along with the RTP, another crucial consideration is the maximum win potential. This tells us the highest possible payout available on any given spin. It’s expressed as a multiple of your stake, so a maximum win of 18,000x means that a £1 spin returns £18,000. 

If you’re looking for Megaways™ slots with high win potentials, check out these ten titles:

• Max Megaways 2™ – 147,620x
• Max Megaways™ – 139,200x
• Wheel of Fortune Megaways™ – 80,150x
• Rasputin Megaways™ – 68,180x
• King of Cats Megaways™ – 56,620x
• Beef Lightning Megaways™ – 56,000x
• Return of Kong Megaways™ – 50,000x
• Primal Megaways™ – 50,000x
• Queen of Riches Megaways™ – 50,000x
• Rick and Morty Megaways™ – 50,000x

The idea behind Megaways™ is simple, but extremely effective. A traditional slot game has a fixed number of symbols displayed on the reels, which allows for a certain number of paylines. The classic example would be a grid of five rows by three reels, with a total of 10 potential winning lines.

However, Big Time Gaming realised that reels don’t have to be fixed in size. If the slot symbols can be randomised with every spin, why can’t the size of a reel? As such, they created a random modifier which changes the number of symbols on display. 

Most Megaways™ titles permit anything from two to seven symbols. If all seven were to appear on every row, that would create a maximum of 117,649 ways to win. However, some Megaways™ games play around with this setup. A handful of titles offer fewer ways to win, with some providing millions of permutations.

The volatility of a slot, sometimes referred to as variance, dictates how it pays out. While the RTP (Return To Player) value tells us how much a game returns over time, the variance reveals how frequently prizes are awarded.

Highly volatile slots are, as the name suggests, very unpredictable. You could play for quite a long time without winning anything of much value, before a huge prize appears out of nowhere. By contrast, a low volatility slot will tend to issue much smaller prizes on average, but you’ll experience fewer dry spells.

The very nature of the Megaways™ engine means that all games are quite volatile. While a few of them are more in the medium to high bracket, the overwhelming majority of Megaways™ titles are extremely high in variance. It’s this dynamism and unpredictability which makes these games so very exciting to play.

Every Megaways™ slot is different, but there are certainly some common features. Most titles use the standard six reel layout, with a maximum of seven possible rows. This creates a total of 117,649 potential ways to win. 

In addition to the reel layout, there are also a number of gameplay elements which crop up frequently in Megaways™ slots.

Mystery Symbols

As the name suggests, these special features contain a hidden symbol. First of all, they’ll multiply, spreading themselves across the reels. Exactly how many times they’ll do so is determined by the number shown on the initial mystery symbol. Once they’ve replicated, they’ll all transform into the same symbol, selected at random. This can trigger sizable wins.

Cascading Wins

A simple feature that has been replicated by many top slots developers, such is its popularity. Whenever a winning combination appears on the reels, the symbols involved will disappear. This creates spaces for other symbols above to fall into, potentially creating new winning permutations. Should that happen, you’ll not only receive additional prizes, but they too will vanish, causing additional cascades to follow.

Progressive Multipliers

Many Megaways™ titles feature a progressive multiplier element. A good example is the popular Day of the Dead-themed Muertos Multiplier Megaways™. Once the bonus round gets underway, all prizes earned are issued at face value. However, with every cascade, the multiplier increases by one. So the next payout will be double its actual value and the one after will be 3x. Should this continue, the total multiplier can grow quickly, making for potentially lucrative rewards. 

Wild Multipliers

If progressive multipliers are in play, the total value will increase slowly with each win. However, some Megaways™ games also have wild multipliers, which can cause the total multiplier to rise sharply, often by 2x or 3x. For instance, let’s say the total multiplier has already reached 7x. The arrival of a 3x wild multiplier on the reels will see that figure spike to a total of 21x.

Free Spins 

Pretty much every modern online slot features a free spins bonus. However, many Megaways™ titles provide re-triggering spins too. In Primal Megaways™, for instance, should you manage to make it through all of your free spins without earning a reward, the whole game restarts. This guarantees you’ll win a prize. In other titles, a win causes the counter to reset to the beginning. If that’s the case, you’ll keep spinning until you stop winning!

Big Time Gaming changed the slots world forever when they introduced the revolutionary Megaways™ engine. Today, many of the world’s top game developers have a licence to use this enthralling gameplay mechanic and new titles are released on a regular basis. With hundreds of exhilarating titles to choose from, there’s something out there to suit all tastes. And to finish, we’ve picked out these 3 slot sites, each of which have an abundance of Megaways titles to choose from.

Have fun!