Extensive Review of Wheel of Fortune Megaways by Big Time Gaming
Big Time Gaming (BTG) has earned a reputation for creating innovative slot games with their Megaways™ mechanic, and Wheel of Fortune Megaways is no exception. Developed in partnership with IGT (International Game Technology), the game brings the classic and iconic TV game show to the online slots world, incorporating the ever-popular Megaways™ system. With dynamic gameplay, large win potential, and recognizable features, this slot offers a thrilling experience for fans of both the game show and high volatility slots.
In this review, we’ll delve into the gameplay mechanics, features, theme, visuals, RTP, and overall experience of playing Wheel of Fortune Megaways.
Game Overview
- Developer: Big Time Gaming (in collaboration with IGT)
- Release Date: 2020
- Game Type: Megaways™ Slot
- Theme: Wheel of Fortune (TV Game Show)
- Reels: 6 reels, variable number of symbols per reel (2–7)
- Rows: Variable (up to 7 rows per reel)
- Megaways™: Up to 117,649 ways to win
- RTP (Return to Player): 96.46%
- Volatility: High
- Min Bet: €0.10
- Max Bet: €20
- Max Win: 20,000x your stake
- Bonus Features: Free Spins, Multiplier Wilds, Cascading Reels, and the Wheel of Fortune feature
Theme and Visuals
Theme: Wheel of Fortune
The theme of Wheel of Fortune Megaways is based on the hugely popular TV game show, which has been a staple of American television since the 1970s. The game’s theme brings the excitement of spinning the Wheel of Fortune into the world of online slots, with all the glitz, glamour, and fun you’d expect from such an iconic show. While not directly linked to the specific TV show’s production values, the slot pays homage with its recognizable logo, symbols, and sound effects.
- Symbols: The main symbols are based on the traditional Wheel of Fortune elements, including the Wheel, diamonds, jackets, vouchers, and classic playing card symbols such as Aces, Kings, and Queens. The most lucrative symbols are the Wheel symbol (used in the bonus features) and the Multiplier Wild symbols.
Graphics
The graphics in Wheel of Fortune Megaways are crisp and colorful, with bright neon lights, glitzy animations, and a smooth interface that mirrors the flashy, high-energy atmosphere of the TV game show. The reels are framed in gold and surrounded by dazzling lights, with the background filled with spotlights and a vibrant blue theme.
The Wheel of Fortune symbol itself serves as the centerpiece of the game, taking inspiration from the classic spinning wheel that players on the show use to determine their fate. The symbols on the reels are well designed, and the cascading feature (described below) introduces fluid animations that keep the visuals exciting.
Sound
The sound design is another major highlight. The slot features the familiar theme music from the show, along with sound effects like the iconic “spin” of the wheel, and the buzzers when players hit wins. The soundtrack and sound effects are dynamic, matching the pace of the gameplay and adding an extra layer of excitement, especially during bonus features and big wins.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
Megaways™ System
As is the case with all BTG games that feature Megaways™, the game uses a dynamic reel system that changes the number of visible symbols with each spin. Up to 7 symbols can appear on each of the 6 reels, which results in 117,649 ways to win. This system replaces traditional paylines and allows for massive combinations to form with each spin.
The Megaways™ mechanic ensures that the game remains unpredictable, with the potential for different numbers of symbols to appear on each reel, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting with every spin.
Cascading Reels
The cascading wins mechanic is another key feature in Wheel of Fortune Megaways. Whenever a winning combination forms, the symbols involved in the win explode and disappear, allowing new symbols to fall into place. This gives players the opportunity to land additional wins in a single spin.
Cascading reels can create a chain reaction of wins, where multiple consecutive winning combinations are formed, and it can significantly increase the overall payout of the spin. This is especially thrilling in the free spins round when multipliers can accumulate.
Multiplier Wilds
Wheel of Fortune Megaways features wild symbols, which can substitute for any other symbol (except for the scatter) to help form winning combinations. What sets this wild apart is its multiplier property: the multiplier wild can increase the value of a win by up to 5x. This can significantly boost payouts, especially when wilds appear during the free spins feature or cascading wins.
Wheel of Fortune Bonus
One of the most exciting features of this slot is the Wheel of Fortune Bonus. This bonus is triggered when you land 3 or more scatter symbols (represented by the Wheel of Fortune symbol) on the reels. When this happens, the bonus wheel spins to award you a random cash prize or free spins.
- Cash Prizes: These can range from a small amount to a large cash reward, depending on where the wheel lands.
- Free Spins: The wheel may also land on a section that triggers the free spins feature, with the number of spins depending on the wheel’s outcome. During free spins, the multiplier wilds become more frequent, leading to potentially huge payouts.
This feature is a direct homage to the show itself, where spinning the wheel could lead to substantial rewards.
Free Spins Feature
The free spins round is one of the most exciting aspects of Wheel of Fortune Megaways. Once activated, players receive 10 free spins, during which the multiplier wilds play a significant role in increasing the payout potential. These wilds multiply any wins they are a part of, and because they can stack, the multipliers can grow significantly.
The free spins round can also be retriggered by landing additional scatter symbols during the bonus. Each additional scatter grants more free spins, adding even more chances to win big.
Bonus Buy Feature
For players who prefer to skip the base game and dive straight into the bonus features, Wheel of Fortune Megaways offers a Bonus Buy feature. This allows players to purchase access to the free spins or Wheel of Fortune Bonus round for a set price (usually 100x the bet). This feature adds a layer of excitement and gives players the chance to go directly for the big wins without waiting for a trigger.
Payouts and Paytable
In Wheel of Fortune Megaways, wins are created by landing matching symbols across adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The paytable is dynamic and follows the rules of the Megaways™ system, meaning you can win with different numbers of symbols per reel.
- Low-paying symbols: These include the playing card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10), which pay smaller amounts.
- High-paying symbols: These include Wheel of Fortune, diamonds, jackets, and vouchers, which provide much higher payouts when landing in a cluster.
- Wild symbol: The multiplier wild substitutes for all symbols except the scatter and can multiply wins by up to 5x.
- Scatter symbol: The Wheel of Fortune symbol triggers the bonus features.
The game’s payout potential increases significantly during the free spins and bonus rounds, especially when multiplier wilds are in play.
RTP and Volatility
- RTP (Return to Player): The RTP for Wheel of Fortune Megaways stands at a solid 96.46%, which is fairly typical for Megaways™ slots. While not the highest RTP, this percentage reflects a balanced approach to potential wins and game design.
- Volatility: This slot features high volatility, meaning the game offers the potential for large payouts, but wins may be less frequent. Players can experience dry spells, but the high volatility also means big rewards when they land.
Max Win Potential
The maximum win in Wheel of Fortune Megaways is 20,000x your stake, which is a huge payout potential, especially with the cascading wins and multiplier wilds in play. This makes the slot appealing to high-risk, high-reward players who enjoy the thrill of chasing big payouts.
Mobile Compatibility
As with most Big Time Gaming slots, Wheel of Fortune Megaways is fully optimized for mobile play. The game is responsive and easy to navigate on both smartphones and tablets, whether you’re using iOS or Android. The interface scales well to different screen sizes, and the sound and visuals remain top-notch on mobile devices, ensuring an enjoyable experience on the go.
Conclusion
Wheel of Fortune Megaways is an exciting and visually captivating slot that brings the thrill of the iconic game show to the world of online slots. Combining the Megaways™ mechanic with cascading reels, multiplier wilds, and
the interactive Wheel of Fortune bonus, the game offers a dynamic and highly rewarding experience.
The high volatility, coupled with a 96.46% RTP, creates the potential for significant wins, especially during the free spins round and the Wheel of Fortune bonus. The game’s theme, design, and features capture the excitement of the show and elevate it into a modern, engaging slot experience.
If you’re a fan of Megaways™ slots or the Wheel of Fortune TV show, or simply someone who enjoys high-stakes, thrilling slots, this game should definitely be on your radar. With a max win of 20,000x your stake and the possibility of retriggering the free spins, Wheel of Fortune Megaways is a highly entertaining and potentially lucrative game.