Best Megaways Slots (January 2025)

Paylines are predetermined paths through the reels that are used to determine winning combinations. Ways to win changed this formula by creating dynamic paylines. This meant that as long as matching symbols followed one another through a sufficient number of reels (usually three), a winning combination was formed. More than one matching symbol on the same reel counted as a new way to win.

Megaways slots took the latter system and added a new variable to the game, which was randomizing the number of symbols on each reel on each spin. Normally, this means that a reel can have anywhere between two and seven symbols. Megaways games also add a sixth reel in contrast to normal slots, which have either three or five reels as the standard. Some Megaways games also come with an additional reel on top of the game, which is often used to apply different bonus effects.

Most Megaways slots, including the original Bonanza, use a system that counts up to 117 649 paylines. That is, when all reels have the maximum number of symbols. But there’s plenty of variation to this. Napoleon Megaways comes with 15,625 paylines. Buffalo King Megaways comes with 200,704 paylines. Rasputin Megaways comes with 2,985,984 possible paylines. Yes, that’s almost three million different ways that winning combinations can form.

Something else that is characteristic of these games is the high max wins. Exceptions occur, but in most cases, the maximum win is over ten thousand times your bet. Over time, this number has crept up considerably, and there are now Megaways slots where you can win over one hundred thousand times your bet on a single spin. 

The combination of the factors mentioned meant that Megaways slots were something entirely new for players to try. Not only when it came to themes and bonus features, but in the way the games played out. The high maximum wins were another factor that made the games extremely popular amongst casino players.

However, that also means that these games come with high volatility. Take a look at popular Megaways slots like:

• Bonanza (Big Time Gaming) - 117,649 ways
• Madame Destiny Megaways (Pragmatic Play) - 200,704 ways
• Primal Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) - 46,656 ways
• Gonzo's Quest Megaways (Red Tiger Gaming) - 117,649 ways

And you will notice that while the potential is there, it’s not going to be on every spin that you score a full screen packed with matching symbols stacked as high as possible on every reel.

Megaways Jackpot Slots

The fact that high volatility and high wins attract casino players is no big surprise. Not if you’re at all familiar with progressive jackpot slots. In these games, a portion of each bet made is turned over to the jackpot. This jackpot can then be won on any real money round. The jackpots can grow into millions.

If you're interested in a combination of jackpots and Megaways slots, often called Megapays slots, take a look at the following games:

• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Megapays (Big Time Gaming) - 117,649 ways
• Mega Moolah Megaways (Gameburger Studios) - 117,649 ways
• The Great Pigsby Megapays (Realx Gaming) - 117,649 ways

Highest RTP Megaways Slots

RTP, or Return to Player, represents the percentage of all wagers that are paid back to players as winnings. These days, an RTP of around 96% is a norm, with slight variation in either direction is normal. White RTP may not be the primary factor for many players, if you're focused on minimizing the house edge, you may want to explore some of the highest RTP Megaways slots. For a broader view on high-RTP games, you can check out this list of Highest RTP slots:

• Madame Mystique Megaways (Pragmatic Play; 200,704 ways) - 98.03% RTP
• White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming; 248,832 ways) - 97.72% RTP
• Medusa Megaways (NextGen; 117,649 ways) - 97.63% RTP

The only difference between Megaways slots and traditional slots is the mechanic used to calculate wins. On top of this, Megaways slots are a bit more modern, and you can expect more features on average.

You will also find that some slots have Megaways versions. Check out the following slots and their Megaways versions:

• Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) - 10 paylines
  
• Big Bass Bonanza Megaways (Pragmatic Play) - 46,656 ways

• 5 Lions (Pragmatic Play) - 243 ways
• 5 Lions Megaways (Pragmatic Play) - 200,704 ways

• Centurion (Inspired Gaming) - 20 paylines
• Centurion Megaways (Inspired Gaming) - 117,649 ways

There's no set formula when it comes to features in Megaways slots. They change from game to game and from provider to provider. And what tends to be popular in normal slots tends to be popular in Megaways slots.

For example, free spins is something that can be found on most of these slots. You will run into cascading wins, multipliers, walking wilds, and many other familiar specials. You can pick exactly what you're after.

Higher Winning Combination Amounts

Megaways slots use ways to win with increased symbol amounts and with an extra reel, which results in a massive increase in possible ways to win. Take your normal 243 ways to win games, this offers three symbols on each reel. If you add a symbol to each reel you now have 1024 ways to win. And if you add an extra reel you will have 4096 ways to win.

Calculating the total is as easy as simply multiplying the number of symbols on each reel by the number of reels. And those numbers get out of hand quickly. Take, for example, Holy Diver by Big Time Gaming. The 7x6 reel gris results in 117,649 ways to win, which can increase o 586,789 ways with the help of bonus feature.

Different Bonus Features

Cascading reels, where the winning symbols pay out and then disappear to give way for more symbols to land, is a common feature in these slots. When combines with free spins, the result is often a torrent of win.

Wilds, on the other hand, tend to come with different modifiers, most often multipliers. This, too, helps reach the massive pots Megaways slots promise.

You will also find bonus wheel, reel modifiers, and all sorts of combinations that are common in modern slots.

Today pretty much all online casinos have Megaways slots as part of their game catalogs. Often listed in their own section in the game lobby, they are one of the most popular sets of games, which is why pretty much all software providers have made their own set of Megaways slots.

Get started with these five popular Megaways games:

🎰 Bonanza (Big Time Gaming) - 117,649 ways

The original hit and the second Megaways game ever produced. Still popular thanks to free spins and unlimited win multipliers.

🎰 Madame Destiny Megaways (Pragmatic Play) - 200,704 ways

A mystical theme is combined with plenty of ways to win and high volatility. An excellent choice for those players looking for riskier bets.

🎰 Primal Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) - 46,656 ways

This Megaways slot decreased the number of ways, but upped the stakes with a max win reaching 50,000 times the bet.

🎰 Gonzo's Quest Megaways (Red Tiger Gaming) - 117,649 ways

This is a continuation of the original NetEnt hit in a new format. If you know the game, you will love this version too.

🎰 White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming) - 248,832 ways

You're probably familiar with the theme borrowed from Alice in the Wonderland. The high RTP, extending reels, and multipliers make this a sensation worth playing.

There's such a number of Megaways slots today that the best way to start is by simply testing them out in demo mode. This allows you to check out the features, themes and gameplay, helping you choose which one will become your new favorite.

Megaways slots are practically universally available at this point. This doesn't mean every online casino has every Megaways slot, but they are sure to have some. The fact that these games are so popular with players and gaming companies alike means that we are going to see them in ever greater numbers.