The world of online slot games has seen tremendous growth and innovation over the years, with new mechanics and features continually being introduced to keep players entertained and engaged. One of the most significant developments in recent times is the Megaways™ mechanic, which has taken the slot gaming industry by storm. If you’re a fan of online slots, you’ve likely come across Megaways slots, but what exactly are they? And more specifically, how does Rainbow Riches Megaways—one of the most popular Megaways titles—work?
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Megaways slots, how they revolutionized the gaming experience, and explore how Rainbow Riches Megaways combines the iconic Irish-themed slot with this innovative feature to create an exciting, high-volatility gaming experience.
1. What Are Megaways Slots?
The Birth of the Megaways Mechanic
The Megaways slot mechanic was developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG) and was first introduced in 2016 with the release of Dragon Born. However, it wasn’t until the launch of BTG’s Bonanza Megaways that the mechanic truly gained widespread popularity and captured the attention of players around the world.
What sets Megaways apart from traditional slot games is its dynamic reel system, which changes the number of symbols on each reel with every spin. This creates a highly volatile and unpredictable gaming experience, where the number of ways to win (paylines) can fluctuate dramatically from spin to spin.
How Megaways Works
In a standard slot game, each reel has a fixed number of symbols (e.g., 3 symbols per reel in a 5-reel slot). With Megaways, however, each reel can display anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols per spin. This variability changes the number of possible winning combinations on every spin. The more symbols that appear on the reels, the more Megaways are available.
The number of Megaways is determined by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if each of the 6 reels displays 7 symbols, the number of ways to win would be:
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 Megaways.
This is why Megaways slots can offer up to 117,649 ways to win—a vast improvement over traditional slots, which usually have between 10 and 50 paylines.
Cascading Reels and Multipliers
In addition to the dynamic paylines, many Megaways slots, including Rainbow Riches Megaways, also feature cascading reels. When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols disappear, and new symbols cascade down to take their place. This can result in consecutive wins from a single spin. Some Megaways slots also include increasing multipliers that grow with each cascading win, further enhancing the potential for big payouts.
2. Introducing Rainbow Riches Megaways
Rainbow Riches is a legendary slot series developed by Barcrest (now owned by Scientific Games), and it has been a favorite among players since its original release in 2006. With its charming Irish theme, leprechaun mascot, and thrilling bonus features, Rainbow Riches has become one of the most recognizable slot franchises in both land-based and online casinos.
In 2019, Barcrest teamed up with Big Time Gaming to release Rainbow Riches Megaways, combining the beloved features of the original Rainbow Riches with the innovative Megaways mechanic. The result is a dynamic, high-volatility slot that offers players a fresh take on the classic formula, with up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin.
3. How to Play Rainbow Riches Megaways
Reels and Layout
Rainbow Riches Megaways features 6 reels, and each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. This creates a variable number of Megaways, which can range from a few hundred to a maximum of 117,649.
Additionally, there is an extra horizontal reel above the main reels that adds one extra symbol to reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. This increases your chances of forming winning combinations and triggering bonus features.
Symbols and Payouts
The symbols in Rainbow Riches Megaways are a mix of classic Rainbow Riches imagery and traditional playing card symbols. Here’s a breakdown of the key symbols:
- Leprechaun Wild: The wild symbol, represented by the cheerful leprechaun, substitutes for all other symbols except the scatter to help form winning combinations.
- High-Paying Symbols: These include the Rainbow Riches logo, harps, horseshoes, and toadstools. The Rainbow Riches logo is the most valuable symbol, offering the highest payouts.
- Low-Paying Symbols: The lower-paying symbols are represented by playing card values (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9).
- Scatter Symbol: The pot of gold scatter symbol is key to triggering the free spins bonus feature, one of the most lucrative parts of the game.
Cascading Reels Feature
As with many Megaways slots, Rainbow Riches Megaways features cascading reels. When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols explode, and new symbols drop down to fill their place. If these new symbols create another winning combination, the process repeats. This continues until no new wins are formed, offering the potential for multiple wins from a single spin.
Free Spins Bonus Round
The free spins bonus is one of the most exciting aspects of Rainbow Riches Megaways. To trigger the free spins feature, you need to land four or more pot of gold scatter symbols. The number of free spins you receive depends on how many scatters you land:
- 4 scatters = 12 free spins
- 5 scatters = 17 free spins
- 6 scatters = 22 free spins
During the free spins round, the win multiplier comes into play. This multiplier starts at 1x and increases by 1x after every cascading win. Best of all, the multiplier does not reset between spins, meaning it can grow to substantial levels by the end of the bonus round. If you land additional scatter symbols during the free spins, you can re-trigger the feature and earn even more spins.
4. Tips and Strategies for Winning at Rainbow Riches Megaways
While slot games are largely based on chance, there are a few strategies and tips you can use to maximize your chances of winning when playing Rainbow Riches Megaways:
1. Take Advantage of the Cascading Reels
One of the most exciting aspects of Megaways slots is the cascading reels feature. Every time you land a win, the winning symbols disappear, and new ones fall into place, giving you another chance to win. The key to maximizing your winnings is to trigger as many cascades as possible, especially during the free spins bonus when the multiplier increases with each win.
2. Trigger the Free Spins Bonus
The free spins bonus is where you can win big in Rainbow Riches Megaways. To increase your chances of triggering this feature, keep an eye out for the pot of gold scatter symbols. Once you activate the free spins, focus on building the win multiplier by landing as many cascading wins as possible. The multiplier increases after each cascade, and since it doesn’t reset between spins, it can lead to some huge payouts by the end of the round.
3. Manage Your Bankroll
Rainbow Riches Megaways is a high-volatility slot, meaning that while the game offers the potential for large payouts, it can also result in long stretches without wins. To avoid depleting your bankroll too quickly, it’s essential to manage your bets carefully. Start with smaller bets and increase your wager once you’ve had a few wins or triggered the free spins feature.
4. Play the Demo Version
If you’re new to Rainbow Riches Megaways or Megaways slots in general, it’s a good idea to try the demo version first. This allows you to get familiar with the game’s mechanics, symbols, and features without risking real money. Once you feel comfortable with the gameplay, you can switch to the real money version and put your knowledge to the test.
5. Why Play Rainbow Riches Megaways?
Rainbow Riches Megaways is the perfect blend of a beloved classic slot series and cutting-edge mechanics. It offers the familiar charm of Rainbow Riches, with its colorful Irish theme and engaging symbols, while incorporating the highly volatile and dynamic Megaways system. Here are a few reasons why players love Rainbow Riches Megaways:
Massive Winning Potential
With up to 117,649 ways to win and a free spins bonus with an increasing multiplier, Rainbow Riches Megaways offers the potential for huge payouts. The cascading reels feature also provides the opportunity for consecutive wins, creating exciting and suspenseful gameplay.
Innovative and Exciting Gameplay
The dynamic reel system of Megaways slots ensures that no two spins are the same. The unpredictability of the number of symbols on each reel, combined with cascading wins and the horizontal reel, keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Familiar Theme with a New Twist
For fans of the original Rainbow Riches, the Megaways version offers a new way to enjoy the classic Irish-themed slot. The beloved symbols and bonus features are still there, but with the added excitement of the Megaways mechanic, which dramatically increases the game’s volatility and potential payouts.
Conclusion
Rainbow Riches Megaways combines the best of both worlds: the charming, familiar theme of the original Rainbow Riches slot and the innovative, dynamic mechanics of Megaways. With up to 117,649 ways to win, cascading reels, and an exciting free spins bonus with an increasing multiplier, Rainbow Riches Megaways is a must-play for fans of high-volatility slots.
