Bonanza Megaways: the slot that started a whole mechanic
Bonanza is the slot that launched Megaways. Big Time Gaming released it in 2016, and every Megaways game you have played since copies the engine it introduced here. It is a gold-mining theme with cascading reels and a free spins round built on an unlimited multiplier. Years on, it still holds up. Here is the honest rundown.
Why Bonanza matters
Before Bonanza, slots had fixed paylines. Big Time Gaming flipped that with the Megaways engine, where the number of symbols on each reel changes every spin. That gives you up to 117,649 ways to win on a single drop. The idea was so strong that Big Time Gaming licensed it to half the industry, which is why you now see Megaways versions of almost everything. For the full backstory on the studio behind it, read our Big Time Gaming review. Bonanza is the original, and it remains the cleanest example of the format.
How it plays
Six reels sit over a carousel of extra symbols, and a top horizontal reel feeds in more. Every win triggers a cascade: winning symbols explode, new ones drop in, and the chain continues as long as fresh wins keep landing. Land four scatters to enter the free spins. This is the heart of the game. The win multiplier starts at one and climbs by one with every cascade, and there is no cap on how high it goes. A long cascade chain in the bonus is where the memorable wins come from, because each reaction pushes the multiplier higher.
RTP and volatility
The default RTP is right around 96%, which is solid, though as always casinos can host different versions, so use the RTP guide habit and check the info screen. Volatility is high. The base game can run cold for a while, and the value is concentrated in the free spins and the multiplier chain. The advertised top win sits in the thousands of times your stake, and it almost always comes out of a strong bonus round. Our volatility guide explains why a game built this way swings hard. Size your stake for the dry runs, not for the dream spin.
The verdict
Strengths: a genuine piece of slot history, a clean cascading engine, and an unlimited multiplier that can build into something special. Weaknesses: the visuals show their age next to newer titles, and the variance is high enough to test patience. Bonanza Megaways is for players who want to feel where the format came from and accept the swing that comes with it. It is entertainment, never an income plan. Try it free through a free spins offer, and only play at a licensed site from our casino reviews. 18+.
Bonanza Megaways FAQ
Was Bonanza really the first Megaways slot?
Yes. Big Time Gaming launched the Megaways engine with Bonanza in 2016, then licensed it across the industry. Almost every Megaways game since is built on the mechanic this slot introduced.
What is the RTP of Bonanza Megaways?
The default is about 96%, but casinos can run different versions. Open the game info screen and confirm the figure before you play, since the number is part of your long-run return.
How does the unlimited multiplier work?
In the free spins, the win multiplier starts at one and rises by one with each cascade, with no cap. A long chain of reactions in the bonus is what produces the biggest wins. It is also rare, so treat it as a bonus, not the plan. 18+.