Slots make up the majority of games offered at online casinos, but not all are created equal. A popular subgenre of slot games is Megaways games, but how do they compare to typical slot machines, and are Megaways better than slots? Join us at Spin Genie as we investigate.
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Exploring Megaways Games
Big Time Gaming of Australia, a small developer, revolutionised online slots with its Bonanza slot in 2016, with their random reel modifier concept. Some traditional slots had 524 or 1024 ways to win before Megaways, but the traditional Megaways model could play with up to 117649 win ways every spin, blowing them out of the water.
Megaways slots give players more chances to win than standard online slots by shifting the number of symbols on the reels with each spin. Megaways slots have a unique mathematical model and a random reel modifier that alters the reel symbols and paylines with each spin. Players can unlock 2–7 distinct symbols and 524–117,649 winning combos at once.
Megaways games boast sky-high payline numbers not only because of the reel modifiers but also avalanching reels. Once highlighted to the player, avalanching reels (other developers may call them cascading reels or tumbling reels, but their function remains the same) remove winning combinations from the reels, allowing new symbols to tumble down and fill the slots potentially causing more winning combinations. This is why symbol values in Megaways games seem lower when compared with other slots; as multiple wins are possible per spin.
A Closer Look at Traditional Slots
Traditional slots are the games you generally think of and may have played at a pub, arcade casino, or brick-and-mortar casino. Traditional slots, which date back to the 1880s, can be divided into retro/fruit machine slots with 3x3 reels and video slots with 5x3 reels. Since video slots are more widespread online and resemble Megaways games, we will focus on this second variety for clarity, brevity, and fairness. Wild, scatter, and bonus rounds including free spins, trail bonuses, and pick-and-win are common in video slots.
Classic slots have a predetermined number of reels and paylines, making them instantly recognised and familiar to returning players. To win, players must align matching symbols on the lines. This usually starts from the first, left reel and moves right. Outside of scatter symbols, winning combinations require 3-5 matching symbols on an active payline (other games only require 2 on chosen symbols).
Classic slots are appealing due to their simplicity and wide selection of games. With a consistent number of reels and paylines, these slots are great for a more straightforward and relaxed gaming experience, especially for those new to online slot games.
Classic symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens add nostalgia to 3x3 fruit machines, while 5-reel games feature low-paying symbols like playing cards 9-A or card suits like hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs, along with premium symbols designed to match the theme. Traditional slots typically have 10–40 paylines/win ways, however, thousands of versions include 243–1024 win ways, and sometimes more.
Megaways Slots vs Slot Games
Megaways slots and classic slot games have plenty of similarities but lots of differences too. Take their maths models, for example. Megaways slots feature an RTP of 95.7-97%, with most games ranging from 96.1-96.3%. Megaways games are most commonly played with a high volatility rating. Normal slot games have an average RTP range of 94-98% with the average for video slots being 96% and retro-inspired games have lower averages of between 94-96%. With typical slots, however, you’ll find games that run the entire gamut of volatility ratings.
While the paytables of Megaways slots tend to show symbols with values ranging from 0.1-20x the total stake, traditional slot game payouts range from 0.1-10x for low-value symbols to 10-500x and even 1000 or 5000x for premium symbols.
Outside of the Megaways system itself, Megaways games and classic slots are very similar, Free spins, multipliers, Jackpot King, Cash Collect, and other proprietary features are common in both games.
Megaways slots often include elaborate themes, several reels, intricate graphics, immersive sound effects, and complex features. They're perfect for seasoned or ambitious new players who want thrilling and dynamic gaming experiences.
Traditional slot games can be as varied as their Megaways counterparts spanning from low-volatility retro games to high-volatility adventure games with different maths models, volatility ratings, themes, and storytelling.
Megaways Slots: The Best Bits
As we’ve learned, Megaways and traditional online slots are very similar in their base structure. Their differences are instead what Megaways games add to the gameplay experience. Listed below are some of the highlights of Megaways games which help them stand out from their traditional slot counterparts.
More Winning Ways
With the standard Megaways model offering up to 117,649 paylines and other versions ranging from 5,000 to over 200,000, the number of winning ways on offer is the largest highlight of Megaways slot games. Afterall, more winning means more chances to win per spin.
Cascading Symbols
The winning ways on offer in Megaways games would be nothing without the cascading symbols feature. After a winning combination is removed from the reels this allows more symbols to tumble down to fill their space. If another winning combination is formed, the process is repeated, meaning one spin can result in a chain reaction.
Multiple Wins Per Spin
The cascading symbols used in Megaways allow for multiple wins per spin. Each win will be added together to form a total payout for the spin. This is why the Megaways paytable shops symbols with lower values than normal slots, as these values can be won multiple times within each spin.
Larger Payouts
Due to the huge scope of the win ways used in Megaways games, these types of slots tend to offer larger top payouts and jackpots; but do note this often comes with a challenging high volatility rating.
Multiple Developers
One of the best things creator BTG did with their Megaways concept was to licence it to many other top developers. Often, when it comes to proprietary concepts, developers like to keep things to themselves, but BTG bucked the trend. This is great for slots fans, as it means a slew of the best development teams have been permitted to add their unique spin and flair to the Megaways game system.
So, Which Is Better?
We’ll let you decide! Both Megaways slot games and classic slot games have their positives and negatives and are designed to appeal to the many wonderful and varied players out there! There are tons of classic slots out there across a huge range of themes and volatility ratings, but there is also a huge range of Megaways slots too. One thing is certain though, at Spin Genie you can play the best classic slots, Megaways slots, and so much more. Remember to always play responsibly and have fun. Sign up and play today.
