New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Megaways slot machines are the brainchild of the world's leading casino games developer, Big Time Gaming (BTG). It is an innovative gaming mechanism that departs from the traditional preset or definitive paylines and instead has the payline chosen at random, with up to 117,649 ways to win on each spin.
First launched in 2016 with the title Dragon Born, the mechanics of the megaways have taken the market by storm with the game-changing slot machine Bonanza, released that same year, which proved to be a huge success and one of the best slots ever. A large number of game developers, including industry heavyweights NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play'n Go, and Elk Studios, have obtained licenses to use the features. Established sites like Casino Verde have featured separate categories dedicated to top-performing megaways slots.
In this article, we have featured megaways slots with the most exciting storylines and graphics to make your gaming experience the most thrilling as you go on to win a mega jackpot.
Fruit Shop Megaways
Fruit Shop, the classic slot by NetEnt, is rereleased with a fresh Megaways upgrade. Up to 117,649 ways to win are available on the 6-reel grid. 2 to 7 symbols are presented during each spin, and as long as they appear on neighbouring reels, they can match and yield a winning strike.
Increase your win potential by using the Substitution Wild feature and more free spins. With vibrant 2D visuals in the 90s style and much of the original sound effects reinstated, the atmosphere of a fresh fruit market stand on a bright sunny day is enhanced. This updated version maintains the charm of the original while maintaining its simplicity and engaging gameplay. The highly volatile slot is placed at an RTP of 96.06%.
Curse of the Werewolf
Curse of the Werewolf Megaways is a BTG licensed slot title by Pragmatic Play. It has 6 reels and up to 46,656 ways to win. The slot theme is based on the ancient legends of lycanthropes, where humans could transform into werewolves. It has a fun and gripping gameplay with smooth animations and theatrics.
The scenes transport you to the dark alleys of an unknown ancient European village. The four highest paying regular symbols are played by the game characters of the wolf and the townsfolk.
Special symbols include the substitute wild, which is literally wild with werewolf claw slashes that substitute for adjacent reels. There is the Black Werewolf mystery symbol that transforms itself into random symbols that can form a winning streak. There is the bonus feature of Spin Modifiers that triggers Super Spins to reveal stacks of high-paying symbols and a Guaranteed Win Spin. And finally, you get free spins activated by bonus symbols and have their separate wild features. There is also an option for you to buy your free spins!
This is a highly immersive and addictive game, with brilliant design and ambience and a win potential of x40,976 your stake. It is playable from 10 p to £100 per spin and is a high volatility game with a standard 96.5% RTP.
Crusader
The Crusader slot machine by Elk Studios is not the usual Megaways slot with an indefinite number of 117,649 ways to win, nor is it a BTG licensed game. But we couldn't ignore the unique mechanics of this game to find it a worthwhile mention in this list.
The storyline is based on the last Crusade war in 1291 in the city of Acre when the Crusaders were summoned by King Edward for the final stand against the Mamluks. Elk Studios have put forth rich animations and graphics to capture the dismal theme and spirit of the Crusades with depictions of the fortress at night.
The 5-reel and 26 payline video slot comes with stacked symbols and can expand to 12-rows and 98 paylines, yielding more returns from a single row in a single spin. The game features four unique "betting strategies" coined by Elk Studios. Choose from the Optimizer, Leveler, Jumper, or Booster that adjusts your bet levels. The Crusader Wilds are the focal features of the game that appear on reels 1 and 5 and offer respins, nudges, bonus games, and symbol expansion. The bonus games feature additional wilds.
This is a heavy-weight game with a wide array of features. This is a unique, off-beat and high-spirited game that comes with similar thrills as Megaways slots. The RTP is 96.1%, with a winning exposure of x2500 on your bet.
Twin Spin Megaways
Twin Spin is one of the most loved and successful NetEnt slots, nothing less of a cult classic alongside Starburst and Fruit Shop. The game is one of the first ones NetEnt tried out with the Megaways update.
Twin Spin Megaways has the powerful MegaWays mechanic in 6 reels with 117,649 ways to win, which is combined with the genuine Vegas-style of the original version and improved with more detailed images in HD quality and fluid gameplay. Free spins, multiplier wilds, synchronized reels and cascading reels are some of the new features to watch out for.
This medium/high variance slot's RTP is 96.04%, and the highest win is worth 38,000 times the total bet. The greatest win possibility on Twin Spin Megaways is a staggering x38,000 stake, and the game's extreme volatility matches its RTP of 96.04%.
Things To Consider When Playing Megaways Slots
The few mentioned slots are the ones with the most stunning and engaging graphics and storylines for Megaways slots, but they are also the highest rated and high payout slots you can find on the internet. iGaming technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and there are and will be more titles to add here. But no matter what titles you choose, always consider the following:
- Always play at licensed casinos.
- Be careful about your bet size when playing Megaways slots, you don’t have to be a high-roller all the time, but don’t stay a low-roller - you’ll miss out on the biggest wins.
- Try increasing your stake after free spin rounds, there is often a bigger chance to get more returns.
Finally, be aware that Megaways slots differ from regular slots in that they have more paylines, and the ones we've highlighted above include extra features and mechanics to add more excitement to the gameplay. However, the RTP and volatility of the Megaways slots are essentially the same as those of standard slots. Don't place your money on the line expecting to win a thousand times more than what you bet than you would at a standard slot machine.