Dragon Born Megaways (Big Time Gaming) Slot Review

Dragon Born Megaways: Slot Overview 

When Big Time Gaming launched Dragon Born Megaways, it wasn’t just releasing a new game—it was introducing a revolutionary mechanic that would shape the future of online slots: the Megaways engine. This title marked BTG’s inaugural attempt at a dynamic reel system with variable paylines that could reach a staggering 117,649 ways to win. While Dragon Born didn’t reach the same levels of popularity as Bonanza or Queen of Riches, it remains a historic milestone in online slot development. 

Set in a majestic medieval fantasy world with dragons, knights, gemstones, and royalty, Dragon Born merges traditional themes with modern volatility and innovation. Despite being slightly overshadowed by its Megaways successors, the game continues to earn its place as a respected classic, blending solid audiovisuals and innovative features with a gameplay structure that was ahead of its time in 2016.

Design and Graphics 

Dragon Born Megaways delivers a visual feast set against a romanticized medieval backdrop. The reels are positioned in front of a sprawling, storybook-like landscape with lush green fields, soaring peaks, and a clear blue sky. The graphical style leans toward a more painterly aesthetic rather than hyper-realism, helping immerse players into its fantasy realm without overwhelming the senses. The symbols echo this theme—playing card values from 9 to A are rendered in stylized medieval fonts with jeweled trims, while the premiums include vibrantly colored gemstones and noble characters like kings, queens, and knights. The titular Dragon symbol steals the spotlight, not only as the highest-paying standard symbol but also due to its rich design that exudes power and regality. 

Animations are smooth and understated, helping the focus remain on the innovative reel mechanics and gameplay. The Full Reel Wilds, in particular, have a noticeable impact visually, stretching across the full height of the reels with theatrical flair.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The game uses BTG’s now-famous Megaways engine, with 6 reels that can each display between 2 and 7 symbols, creating up to 117,649 ways to win. This variability ensures that no two spins feel alike, adding dynamic tension and excitement even in the base game. 

To land a win, players must align matching symbols from left to right on adjacent reels. Wins can occur regardless of specific position on the reel, provided at least one matching symbol appears in each consecutive column starting from the leftmost reel. 

A standout mechanic in Dragon Born is the Full Reel Wild, which substitutes for all symbols (except the scatter) and can land stacked, filling an entire reel. These wilds can carry multipliers of up to 7x, and when multiple wilds are part of a winning combination, the multipliers are multiplied together—for example, two 7x wilds can deliver a whopping 49x boost to the win. 

Overall, the base game offers frequent low-to-medium wins, thanks to the volatility being more balanced than what later Megaways games would offer. This might appeal more to players who enjoy steady gameplay over the rollercoaster-style payout swings in high-volatility titles.

Sound and Music 

Sound design in Dragon Born complements the fantasy theme well, though it’s not as cinematic as more recent releases. The soundtrack is evocative of a grand medieval tale—ambient, orchestral tones build atmosphere between spins, while bigger win sounds and bonus triggers bring flourishes of trumpets and fanfare. 

Character and action sounds are subtle but effective: swords clash, banners flutter, and the reels emit satisfying clicks and hums. During the bonus game, the tension is elevated with additional audio cues to highlight significant wins or multipliers. 

It’s worth noting that this was one of BTG’s earlier attempts at integrating sound dynamically into gameplay, and while it’s functional and theme-appropriate, it doesn’t match the audio excellence of later games like Danger High Voltage 2 or The Final Countdown.

Bonus Features 

There are two primary features at play in Dragon Born Megaways: the Full Reel Wilds and the Free Spins round. Full Reel Wilds 

As mentioned, Full Reel Wilds can appear stacked across a reel and apply a multiplier of up to 7x. Multiple Full Reel Wilds in a win multiply together, creating enormous win potential even during the base game. 

Free Spins Feature 

Triggered by landing 3 or more diamond scatter symbols, this feature awards: 

6 Free Spins for 3 scatters 

12 Free Spins for 4 scatters 

25 Free Spins for 5 scatters 

50 Free Spins for 6 scatters 

What makes the free spins exciting is the appearance of the Alternative Wild Symbol, which substitutes for all except scatters. Also, if a diamond scatter lands during free spins, +1 free spin is awarded for each. 

Free spins maintain the Megaways format and reel variability, ensuring that each spin holds potential. However, due to its medium volatility and capped win ceiling, the actual payout potential might not always match expectations.

Betting Options and Payouts 

One of the strong points of Dragon Born is its flexible bet range. Players can wager between €0.20 and €40 per spin, making the game accessible to casual players and high rollers alike. 

The RTP sits at 95.00%, which is slightly lower than the modern average and may deter some RTP-focused players. That said, its lower variance and hit frequency balance this out to an extent, offering decent return potential for players who prefer moderate risk. 

The maximum win is capped at 5,000x the stake, a respectable amount—though not quite as explosive as later BTG hits. 

The highest-paying symbol is the dragon, which can award up to 84x the stake for six on a payline without multipliers. 

The game’s volatility is medium, which is relatively rare in a Megaways slot. This design choice makes Dragon Born more suitable for players who want engaging gameplay without the extreme dry spells found in high-volatility titles.

Conclusion 

Dragon Born Megaways may not have aged with the same fanfare as Bonanza or Queen of Riches, but it remains a historically important release and a fundamentally solid slot. It was the first-ever Megaways title, and for that alone, it holds legendary status in online slot development. While some players might find its potential underwhelming by modern standards, others will appreciate its more controlled volatility and accessible bonus mechanics. 

The game’s Full Reel Wilds with combined multipliers are still one of the most exciting base game features BTG has ever created. The visuals and soundtrack are immersive enough to support long play sessions, and the game’s mechanics are robust without feeling overwhelming. 

Is it the most powerful Megaways slot? No. But it’s a classic that still has charm, offering a glimpse at the roots of a genre that would go on to define a generation of slot development. For newer players interested in Megaways history or veterans looking for a nostalgic spin, Dragon Born Megaways is definitely worth a revisit.