Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming) Slot Review

Bonanza Megaways: Slot Overview 

Released in the early days of the Megaways boom, Bonanza Megaways by Big Time Gaming is the title that put the Megaways engine firmly on the map. Though not the first Megaways slot—that honor goes to Dragon Born—it is certainly the most influential, helping to revolutionize the industry and forever changing how players think about paylines and volatility. Launched without much fanfare, Bonanza Megaways gradually gained traction, especially within the casino streaming community, where its dynamic gameplay and high-potential free spins made it a fan favorite. 

At the heart of its popularity is the combination of unprecedented win ways—up to 117,649 per spin—alongside the innovative Reaction feature and a thrilling unlimited win multiplier during free spins. Bonanza Megaways took a simple gold mining theme and struck iGaming gold by pairing it with gameplay that was, at the time, unlike anything players had ever seen.

Design and Graphics 

Bonanza Megaways is set in a rustic mining environment, with reels framed against the rocky face of a mountain. A wooden mineshaft, shack, and flowing waterfall complete the gold rush atmosphere, while the iconic mine cart reel rolls across the top of the main grid. Visually, the game maintains a charmingly rugged aesthetic. The symbols are simple but effective, with 9 to A royals presented in vibrant colors and five gemstones representing the premium symbols. These include emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and amethysts, with the latter offering the highest base game payout—up to 50x the stake for six of a kind. 

While not graphically intense by today’s standards, Bonanza’s art direction remains timeless thanks to its cohesive theme and functional clarity. The game is visually engaging without overwhelming the player, allowing its mechanics to take center stage.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Bonanza Megaways runs on the Megaways engine, featuring 6 reels, each displaying between 2 and 7 symbols on any spin. Above reels 2 to 5, a horizontal cart reel adds one extra symbol per reel, further enhancing the number of win possibilities. At maximum configuration, this setup generates up to 117,649 ways to win. 

Wins are awarded for adjacent matching symbols from left to right, starting from reel 1. When a win occurs, the Reaction feature kicks in: winning symbols are removed, and new symbols cascade down to fill the gaps. This process repeats until no new winning combinations appear, giving players multiple win chances from a single spin. 

The horizontal cart is essential to this mechanic, as it often supplies key symbols needed to complete or enhance combinations. It’s also the only place wild symbols (sticks of dynamite) can appear, substituting for all other symbols except scatters.

Sound and Music 

One of Bonanza’s most distinct qualities is its soundscape. The background music is a catchy, twangy banjo track that perfectly complements the frontier-style gold mining setting. It intensifies during spins and reacts dynamically to wins, cascades, and bonus triggers, creating a rewarding feedback loop for players. 

Sound effects are equally effective—sharp clicks, clinks, and mining-inspired chimes punctuate the action, particularly during Reaction chains. The upbeat tone of the music, combined with crisp sound design, gives Bonanza a sense of energy and momentum that few slots at the time could match.

Bonus Features 

Bonanza Megaways doesn’t rely on a multitude of features—instead, it perfects a few well-integrated mechanics that deliver impressive depth and win potential. Reaction Feature 

Every winning spin activates the Reaction feature, removing winning symbols and allowing new ones to drop in. This chain reaction can continue indefinitely, creating exciting win streaks and setting up bonus triggers. 

Free Spins with Unlimited Multiplier 

The main bonus feature is triggered by spelling G-O-L-D with 4 scatter symbols, which awards 12 free spins. Each additional scatter grants +5 extra spins. During the free spins round, an unlimited win multiplier is activated, starting at x1 and increasing by +1 after every Reaction. 

This mechanic is where the game’s real win potential lies. Long chains of cascades quickly multiply winnings, especially when boosted by multiple reactions in a single spin. Additionally, landing 3 or 4 scatter symbols on the top reel during the bonus round retriggers +5 or +10 more spins, respectively.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Bonanza Megaways offers a broad and accessible betting range of €0.20 to €20 per spin, making it suitable for both cautious players and high rollers. 

Key Stats: 

Reels: 6 (+ 4-position top cart reel) 

Rows: 2 to 7 

Ways to Win: Up to 117,649 

RTP: 96.00% 

Volatility: High 

Max Win: 12,000x the stake 

Min/Max Bet: €0.20 / €20 

Thanks to the unlimited multiplier, base game wins can be strong, but the biggest payouts tend to come during the free spins round, where Reactions compound and the multiplier can reach massive levels. Although hitting the top payout requires optimal symbol combinations and multiple retriggers, Bonanza’s high volatility means the potential is always present.

Conclusion 

Bonanza Megaways is more than just a successful online slot—it’s a genre-defining classic that paved the way for hundreds of Megaways releases that followed. Its success helped establish Big Time Gaming as a leading provider of high variance, high potential games, and it still holds up today thanks to its deceptively simple mechanics and explosive bonus potential. 

From its 117,649 ways to win and Reaction feature to the unlimited multiplier in free spins, every element of Bonanza Megaways was meticulously crafted for replayability and excitement. While it may lack the feature overload seen in more recent releases, its core gameplay is timeless, and its impact on the industry is undeniable. 

Even years after its release, Bonanza Megaways continues to dominate lobbies, streamer playlists, and player wishlists alike. If you haven’t played it yet, there’s no better time to discover (or rediscover) what made this game such a game-changer. Whether you’re chasing that elusive “D” in G.O.L.D. or riding a massive multiplier, Bonanza Megaways still feels as golden as ever.