Bonanza Megaways Slot – Dig Deep for Huge Wins
Bonanza Megaways is a gold-mining slot that was released by Big Time Gaming in December 2016. It was one of the early Megaways mechanic games, which, with up to 117,649 ways to win, helped to popularise the mechanic with players.
While the graphics do look quite dated when compared to more modern games at slot sites, the mine setting still looks good and with the help of the animations, it remains a visually exciting game.
- 💸 RTP96%
- 🎰 PaylinesUp to 117,649
- ⚙ ProviderBig Time Gaming
Check Out the Bonanza Megaways Slot Theme and Design
Bonanza Megaways slot takes you to an old gold mine where great riches can be found. The reels are built into a rocky mountainside, with a small wooden hut, mine tracks, carts and a working water wheel bringing the theme to life, while the mountain backdrop and upbeat music give the game a Wild West atmosphere. Above reels two to five, you will see a horizontal mine cart reel. It adds an extra symbol to each of these reels and also moves from right to left during Reactions.
The symbols include playing card icons and brightly coloured gems. A diamond is the most valuable symbol, followed by red, blue and green gems, while A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9 make up the lower-paying symbols.
With its Reactions, Free Spins and an unlimited multiplier, the game has remained popular at bingo sites for many years, and our Bonanza Megaways slot review will help you understand exactly why.
Discover the Special Features of Bonanza Megaways
Bonanza Megaways features six reels, and as with all Megaways slots, the number of rows on each reel changes with each spin. Combined with the mine cart reel above reels two to five, this creates up to 117,649 ways to win. To win a payout, you need to land matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, beginning with the first reel. It does not matter where on each reel the symbols land.
Every win triggers the Dual Reaction feature. Winning symbols are removed from the main reels and replaced by symbols falling from above, while symbols on the horizontal cart reel are replaced from the right. If another winning combination forms, another Reaction takes place. This can continue for as long as new wins keep appearing. The Dynamite is the wild, and it only appears on the mine cart reel. It substitutes for all the regular paying symbols, but not for scatter symbols.
Before wagering real money, you can explore the Bonanza Megaways demo to get a feel for how the game works and what features it offers.
How Easy Is It to Play Bonanza Megaways
It is very easy to play Bonanza Megaways. Choose your total bet and press Spin. There is no need to activate paylines or choose anything else.
As noted, you win by landing matching symbols on at least three consecutive reels from left to right. The Diamond is an exception, as two matching Diamonds will also award a payout. The Diamond is the highest-paying regular symbol, followed by the red, blue and green gems and then the playing card symbols.
When a win forms, the winning symbols disappear and the Reaction mechanic begins. This means that one spin can lead to several consecutive payouts.
The other symbols to watch are the Gold Scatters. Four of these spell G-O-L-D and trigger 12 Free Spins. Extra Scatter symbols can award additional spins before the bonus begins.
You can always try the Bonanza Megaways slot demo first to familiarise yourself with the gameplay and features before playing for real money.
Bonanza Megaways Demo
Bonanza Megaways Bonus Features
The Bonanza Megaways slot does not contain many separate bonus features. Instead, its main mechanics combine in the Free Spins. As you play, you’ll benefit from the following features:
- Megaways – The reel configuration changes on every spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win.
- Mine Cart Reel – The horizontal reel above reels two to five adds extra symbols and can contain Wilds and Scatters.
- Dynamite Wild – Appears on the cart reel and substitutes for regular paying symbols.
- Dual Reactions – Winning symbols disappear, with replacements dropping from above on the reels and entering from the right on the cart.
- GOLD Scatters – Four Gold Bar Scatters spelling G-O-L-D trigger 12 free spins, with additional scatters increasing the number of spins awarded.
- Free Spins Multiplier – The bonus begins with a 1x multiplier. Every Reaction increases it by one, and unlike in the base game, the multiplier does not reset between spins. There is no maximum multiplier, so some huge payouts are possible.
- Retriggers – Three Scatters during Free Spins award another five spins, while four award 10 more.
- Up to 117,649 ways to win
- Reactions can produce several payouts from one spin
- Free Spins multiplier has no upper limit
- Free Spins can be retriggered
- Bonus can take time to trigger
- Not many base game features
Bonanza Megaways Slot RTP and Volatility
Bonanza Megaways has an RTP of 96.00%. This means that the game theoretically returns £96 for every £100 bet over a very large number of spins. However, you should never assume that you will win that amount. Always remember that gambling involves financial risks, and you may win nothing, so play responsibly and, if you feel you need support, you can find helpful advice and assistance through Gamstop.
The game is usually described as having medium-high volatility. This means that there can be quieter spells between more substantial wins, particularly during the base game. While the Reaction mechanic helps to provide more regular activity, many of the largest payouts are dependent on building the multiplier during Free Spins.
The standard game has a £0.20 minimum bet at most Bonanza Megaways casinos, and, unless limited by local regulations to smaller maximum bets, it often has a £20 maximum.
Tips and Strategies for Playing Bonanza Megaways
Like all online slots, Megaways Bonanza is entirely random, so there is nothing you can do to make the free spins trigger or increase the number of Megaways on a spin. However, there are a few sensible ways to manage your play:
- Set a budget before you start and stick to it.
- Keep your bet relatively low so that you can play for longer.
- Use a Bonanza Megaways slot demo first if you have never played a Megaways slot.
- Remember that a run without free spins does not mean the bonus is due.
- Do not increase your bet in an attempt to trigger the feature.
- Check the RTP and betting limits at the casino you are using.
Is Bonanza Megaways Compatible with Mobile Devices
Bonanza Megaways can be played on both desktop and mobile devices. Big Time Gaming built the game in HTML5, so it can run directly in modern browsers on smartphones and tablets without any need to download separate apps or software. The game adapts very well to smaller screens, with the graphics crisp, the animations enjoyable, and the controls easy to use. Therefore, those who prefer playing on mobile devices can easily enjoy the game on the go while also trying Bonanza Megaways free play first.
Expert’s Verdict
Bonanza Megaways may now look relatively simple compared with newer Megaways releases, but it remains a genuinely enjoyable game. The Megaways mechanic, with the changing reel layout, gives every spin a little variety, while the Dual Reactions mean one win can quickly turn into several. The free spins feature is undoubtedly the game’s highlight.
There is no upper limit on the multiplier, so a good chain of Reactions can lead to some huge payouts. In short, I think that after almost ten years, Bonanza Megaways still holds up very well, and it is a game I have no hesitation in recommending to fans of Megaways slots.
FAQs
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Can I Play a Bonanza Megaways Demo for Free?
Yes. You can play a demo version of Bonanza Megaways right here. You can use the Bonanza Megaways free play to explore all of the game’s features and familiarise yourself with the mechanics before you risk real money playing.
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How Do You Trigger Free Spins in Bonanza Megaways?
You need four Gold Bar Scatter symbols spelling G-O-L-D to trigger 12 free spins. Landing additional scatters can award extra spins. During the feature, every Reaction increases the running win multiplier by one, and the multiplier does not reset between free spins.
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What Is the RTP of Bonanza Megaways?
Bonanza Megaways has an RTP of 96.00%. This is very much the average for online slots. However, be sure to check the RTP on the site you are playing on, as there may be different RTP versions available to operators.