Bonanza Slot Review: Demo, RTP 96.0%, Megaways by Big Time Gaming
18+ | Play responsibly
18+ | Play responsibly
Bonanza
Game overview and basic information
The Bonanza slot arrived in December 2016 and rewrote how many reel games are built. Big Time Gaming designed it as the launch title for the Megaways engine. Because of that, it uses six reels with variable symbol counts rather than a fixed 5×3 grid. The result reaches up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin.
This release leans on a Klondike gold-mining premise and a random reel height on every spin. As a result, the number of active ways shifts constantly during play. The published return-to-player figure sits at 96.0% in its base configuration, though this remains operator-dependent. Its volatility is listed as high.
One transparency point matters up front. Big Time Gaming has not published a single confirmed maximum win figure that sources agree on, so this review does not state one. Meanwhile, the bet range is operator-dependent, commonly running from around 0.20 to 20.00 per spin.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Big Time Gaming |
| Release date | December 2016 |
| Reels and rows | 6 reels, variable rows (2 to 7 symbols per reel, plus a horizontal carriage reel) |
| Paylines or ways | Up to 117,649 ways to win (Megaways) |
| RTP | 96.0% base configuration, operator-dependent |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | Not disclosed by the provider |
| Min bet | 0.20 (operator-dependent) |
| Max bet | 20.00 (operator-dependent) |
| Bonus features | Reactions cascades, Free Spins with unlimited increasing multiplier, Gold Bar Scatters, Dynamite extra symbols |
| Jackpot | Not disclosed by the provider |
Easy, fast, comfortable
The interface keeps its controls compact and close to the reels. A bet selector lets you raise or lower your stake before each spin. Because the layout changes shape, an on-screen ways counter updates live to show how many ways are currently active. That single number does most of the explaining for you.
Autoplay is available for hands-off sessions across a set number of spins. First, you pick your stake; next, you set the spin count and start. An info button opens the full paytable and rules without leaving the game. Loading is quick, and the reels respond immediately to each tap.
Game design
Theme and graphics
The visual setting places you in a rocky mining claim with timber framing and mountain scenery behind the reels. A horizontal carriage reel sits above reels two through five, feeding extra symbols down like ore on a track. In contrast to plain grid slots, this framing gives the reels a sense of moving machinery. TNT dynamite bundles appear as a recurring motif across the mine.
Warm earth tones, brown timber and glinting mineral colours define the palette. Although the artwork shows its 2016 origins, the mine-cart presentation still reads clearly. Every element ties back to the excavation theme.
Sounds and gameplay experience
Audio carries a steady mining ambience of machinery and background clatter. Because cascades are central here, each clearing win triggers a short explosion sound as symbols blow apart. That effect reinforces the sense of digging deeper.
The soundtrack shifts during the free spins round, building intensity as the sequence runs. Meanwhile, the base ambience keeps the mine feeling active between spins. It is functional audio that supports the pace rather than overwhelming it.
Bonuses and symbols
Symbols in the game
The symbol set splits into clear groups. Low-value symbols use gold-styled royals from 10 through Ace. Higher up sit four coloured gemstones in blue, green, purple and orange. These gems carry the stronger base-game returns.
Two special symbols drive the action. Dynamite acts as the wild, standing in for paying symbols to complete combinations. The Gold Bar works as the scatter. On the carriage reel above, letters spelling GOLD add extra matching symbols into play when they land.
Bonus rounds and free spins
The Reactions mechanic anchors every spin. When a win lands, the winning symbols are removed and new ones drop in to fill the gaps. As a result, a single spin can chain several consecutive wins before it settles. Dynamite and the carriage reel can add further symbols into the mix during these sequences.
Landing enough Gold Bar scatters can trigger the free spins round. During free spins, an unlimited win multiplier increases with each successive Reaction, climbing higher the longer the chain runs. Because the multiplier has no fixed ceiling, extended cascades may build it substantially. Additional scatters during the feature can retrigger more spins.
Paytable and winning combinations
You open the paytable through the info button beside the reels. It ranks symbols from the low royals up to the coloured gems, with the gems paying the most. Payouts scale with how many matching symbols land in sequence across the reels from the left.
| Symbol | Symbol type | Payout value |
|---|---|---|
| Gemstones (blue, green, purple, orange) | High-pay | Not disclosed by the provider |
| Royals (10, J, Q, K, A) | Low-pay | Not disclosed by the provider |
| Dynamite | Wild | Not disclosed by the provider |
| Gold Bar | Scatter | Not disclosed by the provider |
Because exact per-combination values are not published in the brief, the table records the tiers rather than invented figures. The in-game panel shows the live amounts for your chosen stake. Always check it before you play.
Jackpot
The game carries no confirmed jackpot, fixed or progressive. Instead, the unlimited increasing multiplier in the free spins round serves as the main route to a large result. That mechanic, rather than a separate prize pool, drives the top of the pay structure.
Mobile device compatibility
Built in HTML5, this gold-mining slot runs directly in a mobile browser without a download. The reels scale to fit smaller screens in both portrait and landscape orientations. Touch controls replace mouse clicks for spinning and adjusting your stake. Consequently, the six-reel layout stays readable on a phone as well as a tablet.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin through the Megaways engine.
- An unlimited increasing multiplier during free spins with no fixed cap.
- Reactions cascades that can chain several wins from one paid spin.
- The pedigree of being the original Megaways game from Big Time Gaming.
- Cross-device HTML5 play that works in a mobile browser.
Limitations
- High volatility can mean long stretches without meaningful wins.
- The free spins round can be hard to trigger.
- No jackpot and no single confirmed maximum win figure from the provider.
- The 2016 visuals look dated beside newer Megaways titles.
Conclusion
The Bonanza slot remains a landmark release because it introduced the Megaways format that many later games copied. Its six-reel layout, cascading Reactions and unlimited free-spins multiplier still hold up as a coherent package. This 117,649-ways title suits players who accept high volatility in exchange for big cascade potential. The published RTP sits at 96.0% in its base configuration and stays operator-dependent.
Those wanting frequent, level returns may find the swings demanding. However, patient players drawn to the mining theme and the multiplier chase will recognise why BTG’s release endured.
Responsible gambling
This game is entertainment and nothing more. Every spin outcome comes from a random number generator, so results cannot be predicted or influenced. Set deposit and time limits before you start, and treat any stake as money you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, step away and seek support from a recognised help service.
Frequently asked questions
Who made this game?
Big Time Gaming developed it and released it in December 2016. It served as the debut title for the studio’s Megaways mechanic.
How many ways to win are there?
The variable reel heights produce up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin. The active count changes each spin and shows on the on-screen ways counter.
What is the RTP and volatility?
The return to player is listed at 96.0% in its base configuration and remains operator-dependent. Its volatility is high, and the provider has not published a single agreed maximum win figure.
Can I try a free demo?
Many operators offer a free play mode that runs on virtual credits. This lets you test the Reactions cascades and controls before wagering real money.
How do the free spins work?
Landing enough Gold Bar scatters can trigger the free spins round. During it, an unlimited multiplier increases with each Reaction, and further scatters can retrigger more spins.
What are the special symbols?
Dynamite acts as the wild and substitutes for paying symbols. The Gold Bar is the scatter, while carriage-reel letters spelling GOLD add extra symbols into play.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The HTML5 build runs in a mobile browser, and the reels scale to portrait and landscape with touch controls.
Is there a jackpot?
No jackpot is confirmed for this release. The increasing free-spins multiplier fills that role instead of a separate prize pool.
