Extensive Review of the Online Slot Bonanza by Big Time Gaming
Bonanza is one of the most iconic and influential online slots developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), a developer renowned for pioneering the Megaways™ mechanic and pushing the boundaries of slot game design. Released in 2016, Bonanza quickly became a classic in the iGaming world due to its innovative features, high volatility, and massive win potential. The game’s integration of the Megaways™ mechanic, alongside its mining-themed setting, has captivated players and has continued to be a popular choice in the slot community.
Game Overview
Set in a gold mine, Bonanza features 6 reels with a unique variable number of rows on each reel, creating up to 117,649 Megaways™ ways to win. The game’s theme and mechanics offer a rich and immersive experience, while the features such as Cascading Reels, Free Spins, and Multipliers keep the gameplay dynamic and rewarding.
Key Information:
- Reels: 6 reels with a varying number of rows (up to 7 symbols per reel).
- Megaways™: Up to 117,649 ways to win.
- RTP (Return to Player): 96.00%.
- Volatility: High.
- Min Bet: €0.20.
- Max Bet: €20.
- Max Win Potential: 12,000x your bet.
Bonanza is built on high volatility, which means players can experience fewer but larger wins. The game is designed to be thrilling for those who enjoy the risk of chasing big payouts, and it offers an incredible max win potential of 12,000x your stake.
Key Features
1. Megaways™ Mechanic:
The Megaways™ mechanic is the standout feature of Bonanza and serves as the backbone of the game’s unique setup. Developed by Big Time Gaming, the Megaways™ system randomly changes the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, creating a constantly shifting grid. The variable number of symbols per reel ranges from 2 to 7, giving players up to 117,649 potential ways to win.
This mechanic offers great variety and excitement, as each spin can yield a different number of winning ways, leading to unexpected wins and opportunities for large payouts. The more symbols that appear on a reel, the greater the number of Megaways™ you can activate, making every spin unpredictable.
2. Cascading Reels:
The Cascading Reels feature is another key mechanic that keeps the gameplay engaging. After every winning combination, the symbols involved in the win disappear and are replaced by new symbols that cascade down the reels. This can trigger additional winning combinations, allowing players to reap multiple wins from a single spin.
The cascading feature is particularly exciting because it can continue indefinitely as long as new winning combinations appear after each cascade. When combined with the Megaways™ mechanic, the potential for consecutive wins becomes even greater, enhancing the game’s excitement.
3. Free Spins Feature:
The Free Spins feature is triggered by landing 4 or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. The number of Free Spins awarded depends on how many Scatters trigger the feature:
- 4 Scatters: 12 Free Spins.
- 5 Scatters: 16 Free Spins.
- 6 Scatters: 20 Free Spins.
During the Free Spins round, the game becomes even more rewarding, as it introduces a progressive multiplier. For every cascade that occurs during the Free Spins, the multiplier increases by 1x, and there’s no cap on how high the multiplier can go. This means that the longer the Free Spins round lasts, the more the multiplier can build, potentially leading to massive wins.
Additionally, the Cascading Reels and Megaways™ mechanics continue to apply during Free Spins, making it possible to land big wins and enhance the multiplier.
4. Gold Bar Wilds:
In Bonanza, the Wild symbol is represented by a Gold Bar and can substitute for all other symbols except the Scatter. Wilds help complete winning combinations and increase your chances of landing a win on any given spin. They are particularly useful when they land in the right spots during Free Spins or after a cascade, as they can contribute to multiple consecutive wins.
The Gold Bar Wilds can appear on any reel and are especially valuable during Free Spins when the progressive multiplier is active. A Wild in combination with other symbols can drastically increase your payout, especially when part of a chain of cascading wins.
5. Additional Features:
- Tumble Feature: Every time you hit a winning combination, the winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall into place in a tumble effect. This can lead to multiple consecutive wins on a single spin.
- Mystery Symbols: There are also Mystery symbols in the game, which can reveal a random symbol and contribute to increasing the number of winning combinations.
Visual and Audio Design
Theme and Visuals:
Bonanza is set in a gold mine, and the theme is beautifully represented with rich and detailed graphics. The backdrop shows a rustic mine, with a mine cart, wooden barrels, and glowing crystals, setting the tone for an exciting adventure. The reels are framed by wooden beams, adding to the authentic feel of a miner’s paradise.
The symbols on the reels are based on mining gear, including items like pickaxes, dynamite, golden nuggets, and jewels, alongside the standard low-paying card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10). The Wild symbol is a Gold Bar, while the Scatter symbol is represented by the Millionaire Mine logo.
The visual design is polished and has aged well, with clear and vibrant icons that stand out on the reels. The use of colors and lighting creates an atmospheric environment, and the immersive theme helps to transport players into the heart of a thrilling mining adventure.
Audio Design:
The audio design in Bonanza is also tailored to fit the mining theme, with a dynamic soundtrack that builds tension as the reels spin. The music is upbeat and exciting, creating a sense of anticipation as you chase big wins. The sound effects are classic and include the clinking of pickaxes and the rumbles of the mine, enhancing the atmosphere.
When a win occurs, the music builds and adds dramatic flair, while cascading wins are accompanied by satisfying sound effects that heighten the sense of excitement. The overall soundscape is immersive and adds another layer to the game’s excitement.
Payouts and RTP
Return to Player (RTP):
Bonanza offers a solid RTP of 96.00%, which is in line with many modern high-volatility slots. While this RTP may not be exceptionally high compared to other slots, the high win potential, especially in the Free Spins round, compensates for this, making it a rewarding game in the long run for players who enjoy chasing big wins.
Volatility:
As with many BTG slots, Bonanza is classified as a high-volatility slot, meaning it can have long periods of smaller wins or dry spells before triggering a significant win. The high volatility increases the risk but also amplifies the reward, making it ideal for players who enjoy the thrill of larger, less frequent payouts.
Max Win Potential:
The maximum win in Bonanza is a massive 12,000x your bet. This is a significant payout for any slot game and is made possible through the Cascading Reels, Free Spins, multipliers, and Megaways™ mechanic. While hitting the 12,000x max win is extremely rare, the game offers plenty of opportunities for large payouts during its exciting features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Megaways™ mechanic provides 117,649 ways to win, making each spin unpredictable and exciting.
- Cascading Reels allow for multiple consecutive wins from a single spin.
- Free Spins feature with an increasing multiplier that can lead to significant payouts.
- High win potential of 12,000x your bet, especially with the cascading and multipliers.
- Gold Bar Wilds and Mystery symbols provide additional opportunities for big wins.
- Immersive mining theme with high-quality visuals and audio.
Cons:
- High volatility may be frustrating for players who prefer more frequent, smaller wins.
- The base game can feel slow, and large wins are more likely to occur during the Free Spins round.
- The RTP of 96.00% is average compared to other slots, but this is balanced by the potential for large wins.
Final Verdict
Bonanza is a thrilling, high-potential slot that has earned its place as one of Big Time Gaming’s most iconic releases. With its Megaways™ mechanic, Cascading Reels, and the potential for big wins in the Free Spins round, it offers an exciting and dynamic experience that keeps players coming back for more. The 12,000x max win potential and high volatility make it a great choice for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
While the game’s RTP and high volatility may not appeal to everyone, those who are willing to take on the risk will be rewarded with an engaging and rewarding experience. If you’re a fan of innovative slot mechanics, thrilling features, and the potential for huge payouts, Bonanza is an absolute must-try.
Rating: 4.5/5 – A true classic with exciting gameplay, incredible win potential, and a memorable theme that has made it a favorite in the slot world.