Buffalo King Untamed Megaways Online Slot Review
Developer: Pragmatic Play
Release Date: 2024
Theme: Wild West / Wildlife
RTP: 96.03% (variable depending on the version)
Volatility: High
Max Win: Up to 20,000x your stake
Reels: 6
Rows: 2–7 (dynamic Megaways structure)
Paylines: Up to 117,649 ways to win
Overview
Pragmatic Play’s Buffalo King Untamed Megaways brings a fresh twist to the popular “Buffalo King” series by incorporating the Megaways mechanic, providing players with up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. Set against a stunning backdrop of the Wild West’s rugged landscapes, the game offers thrilling gameplay packed with cascading wins, free spins, and enormous winning potential. This slot is designed to appeal to fans of high-volatility Megaways slots and anyone who enjoyed the original Buffalo King or its predecessors.
Gameplay and Features
Theme and Visuals
Buffalo King Untamed Megaways captures the raw beauty of the Wild West, featuring vast desert canyons under a vivid twilight sky. The reels are packed with symbols of majestic wildlife, including buffalos, eagles, wolves, and mountain lions, which symbolize strength and dominance in the wilderness. Lower-paying symbols are represented by the standard card royals (10–A), designed to blend seamlessly with the game’s rustic aesthetic.
The game’s visuals are stunning, with sharp graphics, dynamic animations, and a well-composed soundtrack that complements the theme. The howls of wolves and the rumble of stampeding buffaloes enhance the immersive experience.
Megaways Mechanics
Buffalo King Untamed Megaways uses the popular Megaways engine developed by Big Time Gaming, meaning each spin generates a random number of symbols per reel, resulting in up to 117,649 ways to win. The variable reel layout keeps the gameplay dynamic, with potential for massive payouts.
Special Features
- Cascading Wins: Every winning combination triggers the cascading wins mechanic. Winning symbols are removed from the reels, allowing new ones to fall into place. This process can continue indefinitely, leading to chain reactions of wins from a single spin.
- Wild Multipliers: Wild symbols, represented by a desert sunset, can appear on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. These wilds substitute for all symbols except scatters and may come with random multipliers during the free spins feature.
- Free Spins Feature: Landing 4, 5, or 6 golden buffalo coin scatters triggers the free spins round, awarding 12, 16, or 20 free spins respectively. During the free spins feature:
- Wild multipliers ranging from 2x to 5x can appear and stack to significantly boost payouts.
- Cascading wins remain active, with the potential for consecutive multipliers creating exponential growth in winnings.
- Additional free spins can be retriggered by landing 3 or more scatters during the feature.
- Ante Bet Option: Players have the option to activate the Ante Bet, increasing their stake by 25% for an improved chance of triggering the free spins feature. When activated, more scatters are added to the reels, making it easier to unlock the bonus round.
- Bonus Buy: In jurisdictions where it’s allowed, players can bypass the base game and jump straight into the free spins round by purchasing it for 100x their current stake.
Paytable and Symbols
The buffalo symbol is the highest-paying, awarding significant wins for combinations of 3 or more. The eagle, wolf, cougar, and moose follow as medium-paying symbols. Lower-paying symbols include the 10 through Ace card values.
Winning combinations are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
Betting Options
Buffalo King Untamed Megaways offers a wide betting range, accommodating both casual players and high rollers. The minimum bet starts at €0.20, while the maximum bet goes up to €125 per spin.
RTP and Volatility
The game’s RTP stands at a respectable 96.03%, though some operators might offer lower RTP versions, so it’s advisable to check the specific settings. The high volatility ensures that while wins may not be frequent, they can be substantial when they occur.
Strengths
- Megaways Innovation: The addition of the Megaways mechanic enhances the gameplay, offering a dynamic reel structure and huge winning potential.
- High Win Potential: With a maximum win of up to 20,000x your stake, Buffalo King Untamed Megaways is among the more rewarding slots in Pragmatic Play’s portfolio.
- Engaging Features: Cascading wins, wild multipliers, and a lucrative free spins round keep players engaged and entertained.
- Visually Stunning: The detailed graphics and thematic sound effects provide an immersive gaming experience.
- Flexible Betting Options: The wide betting range makes the slot accessible to a broad audience.
Weaknesses
- High Volatility: While high volatility is appealing to risk-takers, it might deter casual players who prefer frequent, smaller wins.
- Bonus Reliance: Much of the game’s winning potential is tied to the free spins feature, making the base game feel less rewarding at times.
- RTP Variability: The game’s RTP can vary between operators, potentially disadvantaging players in certain regions.
Conclusion
Buffalo King Untamed Megaways is a fantastic addition to Pragmatic Play’s portfolio and the Buffalo King series. By blending the classic wildlife theme with the modern Megaways mechanic, the slot offers an exciting mix of nostalgia and innovation. The cascading wins and wild multipliers keep the base game engaging, while the free spins feature provides the potential for life-changing payouts.
The game’s high volatility and reliance on the bonus round may not suit all players, but for those who enjoy risk and reward, Buffalo King Untamed Megaways delivers an electrifying gaming experience. With its stunning visuals, dynamic gameplay, and massive winning potential, this slot is a must-try for fans of Megaways slots and wildlife-themed games.
Rating: 9/10