Online slots are evolving. Not only do we find slot games with all kinds of themes and sizes of grids, but we’re also seeing more and more games introduce special mechanics to make the game more engaging.
These include thousands of ways to win, bonus rounds and games, and even some gamified elements where a user gets to make a choice that can affect the gameplay.
This guide will teach you all you need to know about these new games and how their minigames and mechanics work.
We’ll cover things like:
- Progressive jackpots.
- Picking bonus.
- Cascading reels.
- Expanding wilds.
- Progress bars
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Progressive Jackpots
A game with a progressive jackpot means that the max win is a jackpot that increases each time it isn’t won. Many of the most popular slot games in the world are ones with a progressive jackpot – Mega Fortune (NetEnt) and Mega Moolah (Microgaming), for instance – and slot games are often connected to a larger grid of other slot games that also collect money for the big jackpot one lucky player will win.
A progressive jackpot is usually a lot bigger than any other slot win could be, sometimes worth millions of dollars and reaching higher and higher with each played round. That’s why many players who are researching how to choose a Malaysian online casino often choose one that offers this type of slot game. Progressive games offer the potential to win a life-changing sum with a tiny stake, and this has already happened for many players in well-documented cases.
Picking Bonus
A picking bonus is one where the player gets the choice of picking one of several options that will give a random win. Games can use this function a bit differently and use different symbols depending on the theme; sometimes a player picks between closed chests, sometimes between wrapped gifts, sometimes between mysterious sacks.
Mighty Drums by Realtime Gaming is one slot game that executes this function really well. When the famous “Jackpot Pick” feature randomly appears, you get to pick a tile on the grid. Depending on which one you pick, you may win a Mini, Major, or the Grand Jackpot!
It’s easy to see how a feature like this can instantly make an otherwise quite standard slot game much more exciting for players.
Megaways
If you’re playing a Megaways game, there’s really no predicting how you might win. Players can win up to 117,649 different ways, making each round more exciting without changing anything else in the game.
Unlike a live casino game that follows fixed rules and outcomes, this mechanic works by dynamically changing the configurations of the reels in each spin and allowing wins from every conceivable direction. It was the leading game developer Big Time Gaming that first introduced this feature, which is now also licensed to other big providers such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play.
You’ll see it in the title if a game makes use of this innovative function; Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming), Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger Gaming/NetEnt), and Monopoly Megaways (Big Time Gaming) are just a few examples.
Gamble Feature/Double Up
The Gamble Feature is one of the most exciting functions that risk-taking players often look out for when searching for their next slot game.
In slots with the Gamble Feature (also sometimes referred to as “Double Up”), players will occasionally get the option of betting their win and potentially doubling it, or taking the win they have and calling it good. Players can often choose to do this multiple times, and the win can really rack up quickly – or they could lose it all in an instant.
Some games that include this risky feature include Big Time Gaming’s Extra Chilli Megaways and, of course, NetEnt’s classic Mega Joker.
Cascading Reels
An innovative feature that increases excitement with each win is the Cascading Reels feature, also sometimes called tumbling, falling, or avalanche reels.
The feature is so popular among players because it allows for several consecutive wins for every spin. When the player hits a winning combination, the symbols disappear, leaving room for new symbols to fall down and take their place. Another winning combination may then be hit, and more symbols can fall down until no new winning combinations are formed, and it ends. In other words, a single successful spin can trigger a chain reaction of wins!
On top of that, many slot games increase the win each time with multipliers, meaning the wins are multiplicative. It’s no wonder that the slot machine market reached a $11.42 billion market value this year and is projected to grow to $16.81 billion by 2029.
The game developer NetEnt originally pioneered this functionality, but it’s now common among many different providers. Some of the most popular options with cascading reels are Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt), Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play), and Reactoonz (Play’n GO).
Expanding Wilds
Casino slots with Expanding Wilds feature a special type of Wild Symbol that can cover more than one position in the grid. This means they can increase the chances of a winning combination, since a Wild can substitute for any symbol needed to win.
While not all slot games make use of Wilds, it’s a staple, and Expanding Wilds are also pretty common. There are also a couple of variants of Expanding Wilds, including Sticky Expanding Wilds that keep their lock in place and keep their position even when a player spins again.
NetEnt’s Starburst, Play’n GO’s Book of Dead, and NetEnt’s Divine Fortune are the most well-known casino games with this bonus feature.
Progress Bars
Progress Bars are a bonus feature in certain slots that increase anticipation by tracking the time until a specified bonus feature or prize is activated. They are a visual indicator that fills up as players spin and win, and once the goal is reached, the special event is triggered.
Some bars fill up from any spin, while some require that players collect specific symbols or land winning combinations. Popular casino games with the Progress Bar mechanic are Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt, Gigantoonz by Play’n GO, Rich Little Piggies by Light & Wonder, and Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play.
Bonus Wheel
The Bonus Wheel feature is quite straightforward and easy to understand. It’s a special feature that is triggered and allows the user to spin and win. Often, the win will be a multiplier of a win, like 2x, 6x, or 12x. How good the spin on the lucky wheel is will determine the final win.
Wheel of Fortune (IGT), Guns N’ Roses (NetEnt), Crazy Time (Evolution), and 88 Fortunes (Light & Wonder) all feature this special slot mechanic.
