Review: Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways by Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play expands its popular Big Bass series with Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways, a thrilling slot that combines the signature fishing theme with the dynamic Megaways mechanic. This installment offers players up to 117,649 ways to win, along with exciting features like cascading reels, the Hold & Spinner bonus, and Free Spins with Fisherman Wilds. With stunning visuals, innovative gameplay, and substantial payout potential, Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways is a perfect catch for fans of feature-rich slots.
Overview
- Developer: Pragmatic Play
- Theme: Fishing, Megaways
- Reels & Rows: 6 reels with up to 7 rows
- Ways to Win: Up to 117,649 Megaways
- RTP: 96.50%
- Volatility: High
- Max Win: 20,000x your stake
Set in a vibrant underwater world teeming with aquatic life, Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways retains the charm of the original series while introducing new mechanics to elevate the gameplay experience.
Graphics and Sound
Pragmatic Play has once again delivered a visually stunning slot. The reels are submerged in a crystal-clear lake, surrounded by aquatic plants and schools of fish. The interface is vibrant and colorful, with high-definition animations that bring the fishing adventure to life.
Symbols include:
- High-Paying Symbols: Fishing rods, tackle boxes, fishing floats, and prize fish carrying cash values.
- Low-Paying Symbols: A, K, Q, J, and 10, styled with aquatic-inspired designs.
- Special Symbols:
- Wild: The Fisherman Wild substitutes for all regular symbols except scatters and bonus symbols.
- Scatter: A golden fish triggers the Free Spins feature.
- Bonus Coin: Activates the Hold & Spinner bonus.
The soundtrack is a cheerful, fishing-themed melody with ambient water sounds, creating a relaxing yet engaging atmosphere. Sound effects like splashes and the reel-clicking noises during bonus features enhance the overall immersion.
Gameplay and Features
Megaways Mechanic
The Megaways system offers up to 117,649 ways to win, with each spin delivering a random number of symbols per reel (between 2 and 7). This mechanic ensures that every spin feels dynamic and unpredictable.
Symbols
The symbols in Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways align perfectly with its fishing theme:
- High-Paying Symbols: Fishing rod, tackle box, float, and fish carrying cash values.
- Low-Paying Symbols: A, K, Q, J, and 10.
- Special Symbols:
- Wild: The Fisherman Wild substitutes for all regular symbols except the scatter and bonus coin.
- Scatter: A golden fish triggers the Free Spins feature.
- Bonus Coin: Activates the Hold & Spinner feature.
Bonus Features
- Cascading Reels Winning combinations activate the cascading reels mechanic. Winning symbols disappear, and new symbols cascade into their place, creating opportunities for consecutive wins from a single spin. This feature is active in both the base game and Free Spins.
- Hold & Spinner Bonus Landing 3 or more bonus coin symbols triggers the Hold & Spinner Bonus feature. In this round:
- The triggering coins remain locked on the reels, while players receive 3 respins.
- Each new coin that lands resets the respin counter to 3.
- Coins carry random cash values or multipliers, which are added together at the end of the feature.
- Diamond symbols may appear during the round, offering significantly higher prizes.
- Free Spins: Fisherman’s Fortune Landing 3 or more scatter symbols activates the Fisherman’s Fortune Free Spins feature:
- 3 Scatters: 10 free spins
- 4 Scatters: 15 free spins
- 5 Scatters: 20 free spins
- Fisherman Wilds collect the cash values from all fish symbols on the reels.
- Every 4 Fisherman Wilds collected unlocks additional spins and increases the multiplier:
- 4 Fisherman Wilds: +10 spins and a 2x multiplier
- 8 Fisherman Wilds: +10 spins and a 3x multiplier
- 12 Fisherman Wilds: +10 spins and a 10x multiplier
- Ante Bet Players can activate the Ante Bet to increase their stake by 25%, doubling the chances of landing scatter symbols and triggering the Free Spins feature.
- Buy Bonus Option For players eager to access the Free Spins feature, the Buy Bonus option is available for 100x the current bet. This allows instant entry into the game’s most rewarding mode.
Payout Potential
With an RTP of 96.50% and high volatility, Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways offers substantial payout opportunities for players willing to take the risk. The max win of 20,000x your stake is achievable through the Free Spins feature, where cascading wins, Fisherman Wilds, and multipliers align for massive payouts. The Hold & Spinner bonus provides additional chances for significant rewards, especially with the inclusion of high-value diamond symbols.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dynamic Gameplay: The Megaways mechanic, cascading reels, and bonus features keep gameplay engaging.
- High Payout Potential: A max win of 20,000x your stake appeals to high-stakes players.
- Feature Variety: Free Spins, the Hold & Spinner bonus, and multipliers add depth and excitement.
- Immersive Theme: Vibrant visuals and a cheerful soundtrack enhance the fishing adventure.
- Flexible Options: The Ante Bet and Buy Bonus features provide strategic gameplay choices.
Cons:
- High Volatility: Payouts may be infrequent, which might deter casual players.
- Familiar Mechanics: Fans of the Big Bass series may find the core gameplay similar to previous installments.
- Complex Features: The variety of mechanics might take time for new players to fully understand.
Final Verdict
Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways is an impressive addition to Pragmatic Play’s popular fishing series, combining the charm of the original with the dynamic mechanics of Megaways. The cascading reels, Free Spins, and Hold & Spinner bonus ensure that every spin feels exciting, while the vibrant visuals and cheerful soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere.
With its high payout potential and feature-rich gameplay, Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways is a fantastic choice for fans of the series and players who enjoy innovative slots. While its high volatility may not suit everyone, those who appreciate high-risk, high-reward gameplay will find plenty to enjoy in this thrilling underwater adventure.
Rating:
- Graphics and Sound: ★★★★★
- Gameplay Features: ★★★★★
- Payout Potential: ★★★★★
- Overall Fun: ★★★★★
Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways delivers an exciting and rewarding gaming experience that is perfect for fans of feature-packed slots and fishing-themed adventures.