Introduction to Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
Big Bass Bonanza and its newer counterpart, Bigger Bass Bonanza, stand as two of Reel Kingdom’s most beloved games. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the first Megaways-enabled slot from this Pragmatic Play affiliate continues in the bass fishing theme. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways incorporates elements from the original while introducing new features to enhance gameplay. However, at its core, the game remains true to its essence: the thrill of landing lucrative fish symbols during free spins to accumulate rewards.
Visual and Auditory Appeal
Visually, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways closely resembles its predecessor, distinguished mainly by an expanded game grid. It features 5 primary reels complemented by an additional horizontal reel above, totaling 46,656 potential ways to win. Reel Kingdom has not fully utilized the Megaways format’s maximum capacity in this iteration. Fans of the original fishing adventure will feel familiar amidst the serene aquatic backdrop, lively fish animations, and the relaxing pesowin island soundtrack. The engaging visuals and soothing sounds make this game a delight for players who enjoy immersive gaming experiences.
Gameplay Mechanics and Betting Range
Transitioning to a larger reel format has not only expanded the gameplay area but also increased the numerical values associated with the game. Starting with positive changes, the default RTP has risen to a commendable 96.7%, accompanied by a high volatility rating of 5 out of 5. However, opinions on the game’s potential are mixed; while it surpasses the original, some players feel it still lacks the excitement expected from a Megaways title. For those more interested in the thrill of fishing rather than huge jackpots, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways is accessible across all devices, with bets ranging from P1.00 to 5,000. This broad betting range ensures that both casual gamers and high rollers can enjoy the game.
Symbols and Payouts
The regular paying symbols remain unchanged, paying left to right on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost. Low-paying symbols include card ranks 10-A, while high-paying symbols consist of tackle boxes, dragonflies, fishing rods, and a fishing float. Landing six of these premium symbols can yield payouts ranging from 2 to 50 times the stake. Additionally, fish symbols serve as the other paying symbols; in the base game, they offer up to 1.75 times the bet, while during free spins, their prizes are collected by the fisherman symbol. Exclusive to the upper four-position reel is a wild symbol, substituting for all symbols except fish or fisherman symbols.
Tumbling Reels and Base Game Features
Most of the features have remained consistent and familiar, including the free spins with the fish and fisherman collection mechanic. In addition to these, players can enjoy tumbling reels, along with the chance for random Bazooka or Dynamite features that may activate during the bonus game. During each spin, winning combinations are awarded and then removed from the reels. The remaining symbols cascade into the empty spaces, potentially forming new winning combinations and generating additional wins. This cascading process, known as tumbles, persists until no new winning combinations are formed.
Free Spins and Bonus Features
When 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols land, triggering the bonus game, players receive 10, 15, or 20 free spins accordingly. A key difference during free spins is that fish symbols do not disappear from the reels during the tumble feature; instead, they fall to the bottom of the screen as new symbols tumble down. During these free spins, whenever fish symbols coincide with a fisherman symbol on the reels, the fisherman collects all their values and awards them to the player. If multiple fisherman symbols are present, each one collects the values independently. Moreover, each time a fisherman symbol lands, it is added to a meter beside the grid. Accumulating 4 fisherman symbols in this meter retriggers the feature, granting an additional 10 free spins and applying a multiplier to the values of the fish symbols collected. The multipliers awarded for the first, second, and third retriggers are x2, x3, and x10 respectively. After the third retrigger, no further retriggers are possible during the bonus round.
Special Features: Bazookas and Dynamite
During free spins, if there are 1 or 2 fisherman symbols on the screen without any fish symbols present, two random features can activate. One of these features is the Dynamite feature, which adds fish symbols to the screen in different positions. The other feature is the Bazooka, which detonates all symbols visible on the reels, excluding the fisherman symbols. These features add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the game, enhancing the overall pesowin experience.
RTP, Volatility, and Potential Payouts
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways boasts a high RTP of 96.72%. In terms of volatility, it is classified as a highly volatile slot, earning a 5 out of 5 rating on Pragmatic’s scale. The game’s potential payouts are significant, although some players feel it could have pushed further to offer even larger rewards. The maximum potential win is 4,000 times the stake, which, while substantial, is relatively modest for a Megaways game.
Conclusion: A Worthy Successor?
There’s a distinct appeal among online gamblers to combine fishing-themed gameplay with the thrill of collecting cash prizes, a trend that continues to resonate strongly. Originally sparked some time ago, this trend has evolved beyond fishing themes alone and has been integrated into various other concepts. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways demonstrates that there’s still significant potential in this gameplay mechanic, and Reel Kingdom has leveraged the Megaways framework to extract maximum excitement from it. While the core experience remains similar to its predecessor, Big Bass Bonanza, Megaways introduces additional thrills and numerous ways to win. It’s not groundbreaking in terms of innovation, but it’s certainly engaging enough, especially with its scatter collection system reminiscent of Fishin’ Frenzy.
Comparing to Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways
Speaking of Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, which directly competes with Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, both games have their strengths for players seeking fish-themed action. Reel Kingdom’s version introduces more advanced features like the fisherman collection retriggers and new modifiers, adding a fresh twist. However, Blueprint Gaming’s Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways excels in potential payouts, offering up to 10,000 times the bet, compared to Big Bass Bonanza Megaways’ maximum of 4,000 times, which is relatively modest for a Megaways game (although actual proof of this potential remains to be seen). Therefore, for those who prioritize larger potential wins, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways emerges as the clear favorite. If you enjoyed Big Bass Bonanza and are looking for a bit more excitement, Big Bass pesowin Bonanza Megaways serves as a natural progression. Yet, it’s disappointing that Reel Kingdom didn’t push further to enhance the game’s winning opportunities, which could have broadened its appeal to a wider audience.
