Bonanza Megaways Review
Bonanza Megaways is a famous Megaways slot from Big Time Gaming that’s known for its innovative and feature-rich mining action.
Besides giving you thousands of ways to win, it has some dynamite bonuses that fit with the theme.
If you’re interested to learn more about the slot that made the Megaways mechanic famous then we invite you to keep on reading this Bonanza Megaways slot review!
Bonanza Review – Wild West Wins and Banjo Strings
With a name like Bonanza and the Megaways mechanic, it feels like big wins should be hiding inside the next rock. You can’t take anything for granted with slots until you know the max win, bonus features and volatility, though.
To get a clear picture of what you can win, I’ve explored every nook and cranny of the mine in my Bonanza Megaways review. I’ve laid out my finds for you down below!
What I Checked in Bonanza
I used my sharpest pickaxe and left no stone unturned in order to complete a thorough slot review. My steps involved:
- Getting a general overview of Bonanza
- Delving into the base game and bonus round
- Sifting through the special features
- Digging into the slot’s story and theme
- Uncovering who made Bonanza
What Is Bonanza?
In case my mining puns haven’t given it away already, this game is set in a gold and gem mine. Find out a few other essential details about the Megaways slot below.
| GENERAL DETAILS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot type | Megaways | Number of rows | Up to 7 |
| Provider | Big Time Gaming | Reels | 6 |
Bonanza is one of the first Megaways slots that really caught casino players’ attention. Thanks to the innovation from Big Time Gaming, the game is still as entertaining and popular today. It merges the features with the mining theme in a way that’s fun and immersive.
Which Game and Bonus Features Does Bonanza Have?
Have a blast with the features that made the slot an instant hit.
| FEATURES | NO. | LIST |
|---|---|---|
| BASE GAME FEATURES | 3 | Mining Carts, Reactions, Wilds |
| BONUS BUY FEATURES | 1 | Free Spins |
| BONUS GAMES FEATURES | 2 | Free Spins, Win Multipliers |
Sparky Base Game Features
It’s in the base game that the mining theme really comes to life. Throughout my Bonanza review, I never got tired of the reactions feature, which is when the symbols on rocks explode and are replaced with new ones.
It’s gratifying to watch and usually means more potential wins are coming.
Symbols
The symbols are 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A, and four different colored gems. The sparkly gem that looks like a diamond pays out the most, and you get a win when you land only two. The rest require three matching symbols on a payline.
Reactions
The reels are made of rocks, and when you land a winning combo, it’s like an explosion in the mine. Any winning symbols explode and new ones arrive to replace them. If you get another win, the feature continues.
Mining Carts and Wilds
The mining carts sit on top of the central reels, extending them by one row. They move left to right instead of up and down, so when a reaction happens, new symbols appear from the right.
Dynamite Wilds only appear on the carts and substitute for all symbols except the scatter.
Hand Over Your Gold For A Bonus Buy Feature
Before you part with your gold, see what I thought of the bonus buy feature in my Bonanza review.
| BONUS BUY COSTS | |
|---|---|
| Minimum-Maximum cost to buy the feature | $18 – $1,800 |
| Bonus buy cost (how many times X base bet) | 90x |
| Number of free spins unlocked | 12 |
Like most other slots, you adjust the cost of the bonus buy by changing your stake. However, I like that the cost is only 90x your base bet when most other games are 100x.
On the other hand, the minimum bet only goes down to $0.20, and the maximum doesn’t go up very high, so it doesn’t quite achieve the flexibility I had hoped for.
No Hold and Win in the Mine
A Megaways mechanic and reels moving vertically and horizontally are the main innovations in this slot, so there’s no Hold and Win feature.
Strike Gold With the Bonus Game Features
Triggering the free spins rounds was the most frustrating part of my Bonanza review. It didn’t happen often, which is when the bonus buy started to look more appealing.
I prefer a slot where you feel like you have a decent shot at the bonus round in normal play, though.
Free Spins
You need to get the four letters of the word gold on the reels to trigger your 12 free spins. Any extra scatters add another five spins to the game.
During the bonus round, a new scatter of stacked gold bars appears only on the mining carts. Three will get you five extra spins, and four will get you 10.
Win Multiplier
During the free spins bonus round, a win multiplier applies. It starts at one and increases by one after each reaction.
What Special Features Will You Find in Bonanza?
Dynamite and diamonds seem pretty special already, but Big Time Gaming has a few extra gems for you.
| SPECIAL FEATURES | |
|---|---|
| Autoplay option | 👍 |
| Change the speed | 👎 |
| Mute the sound | 👍 |
| Adjustable bet size | 👍 |
You can pre-set a number of spins with a loss and win limit, so the game will run on its own. The menu also lets you turn the sounds on and off. From the main game screen, use the arrows to increase or decrease your bet from $0.20 up to $20.
What’s Bonanza’s Story and Theme?
The term bonanza usually means high profits or good fortune, but it’s specifically used for mining. It means a large gem or mineral deposit. With that nugget in mind, you can see that the name fits the mining theme perfectly.
Country-Style Graphics
Big Time Gaming manages to give the feeling of being way out west with the green hillside, waterwheel and rustic wooden hut that are vividly depicted.
Love It or Hate It Sound
The twanging banjo is either going to be something you can’t stop humming along to or a soundtrack that you want to mute immediately.
Who Made Bonanza?
Big Time Gaming is the software provider behind Bonanza. The studio patented the Megaways mechanic, and this is one of the first games to feature it.
Some of the Best Big Time Gaming Slots That You Might Enjoy
- Apollo Pays
- Millionaire Rush
Is Bonanza Worth the Hype?
There are now hundreds of Megaways slots borrowing the BTG mechanic. By the end of my Bonanza review, I still think it’s one of the best. It absolutely nails combining the multiple rows, the reactions feature and the mining cart to add some extra symbols in a thematic way.
Other Canadian slots, like Wolf Legend Megaways, might have the same format, but they aren’t as fun.
FAQs
What is the RTP of Bonanza?
Bonanza Megaways carries an RTP of 96%. This is considered the industry standard.
How many paylines does Bonanza have?
Bonanza is a Megaways slot with 117,649 ways to win. This means that active paylines change with each round.
What’s Bonanza’s volatility?
Bonanza Megaways is a high-volatility slot. As with all high volatility slots expect few wins but juicy ones when they land.
How many reactions can I have in a row while playing Bonanza?
In Bonanza directions are unlimited; land a win, and they’ll keep happening.
What’s the maximum win you can land in Bonanza?
The maximum win in Bonanza Megaways is 26,000x your stake.
How do you play Bonanza?
To play Bonanza, you need to select your bet amount and spin the reels. To get a win, you need to land two or more matching symbols on a payline.