Big Bass Bonanza Megaways

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Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Slot Overview

Big Bass Bonanza and its little sibling, Bigger Bass Bonanza, are two of Reel Kingdom's most loved games. So, it's no surprise that the first Megaways-powered slot from this Pragmatic Play partner studio continues the bass fishing theme. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways keeps the essence of the original game but adds a few new features to keep things exciting. Essentially, it's all about the thrill of catching as many fish symbols as possible during free spins to rack up those wins.

Visually, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways looks almost identical to its predecessor, with the main difference being a larger game grid. This time, you'll find 5 main reels and an additional 4-symbol reel spinning horizontally at the top. While Reel Kingdom didn't max out the Megaways setup, offering up to 46,656 ways to win, fans of the original game will feel right at home with the familiar underwater scene, lively fish, and relaxing island tunes.

Expanding the reel format has made every aspect of the game larger than the original. Let's start with some good news: the default Return to Player (RTP) has increased to a respectable 96.7%, and the volatility is officially rated as high, earning a 5 out of 5. However, opinions are divided on the game's potential, which is higher than the original but still feels somewhat lacking, especially for a Megaways title. If the idea of fishing for fun rather than chasing huge wins appeals to you, you can play the game on any device, with bets ranging from 20 pence/cents to $/€100.

The regular symbols are the same as before, paying out from left to right on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The lower-paying symbols are the card ranks from 10 to Ace, while the higher-paying symbols include tackle boxes, dragonflies, fishing rods, and a fishing float. Landing six combinations of premium symbols can reward you with payouts ranging from 2 to 50 times your stake. The other symbols that pay out are the fish symbols. In the base game, fish combinations can pay up to 1.75 times the bet, and during free spins, their prizes are collected by the fisherman symbol. Additionally, there's a wild symbol that appears only on the upper four-position reel, substituting for everything except the fish or fisherman symbols.

Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Slot Features

For the most part, the features have stayed pretty much the same, which includes the free spins with the fish and fisherman collection system. Additionally, there are tumbles and random Bazooka or Dynamite features that can pop up during the bonus game.

Tumbles

After any winning spin, the winning combinations are paid out and removed from the reels. The remaining symbols then fall into the empty spaces, potentially forming new winning combinations. This process continues until no more wins are achieved.

Free Spins

If you land 3, 4, or 5 scatters, you trigger the bonus game, which awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. It's worth noting that during free spins, fish symbols don't disappear from the reels with the tumble feature but instead drop to the bottom of the screen as tumbles occur. When fish symbols appear along with a fisherman symbol, the fisherman collects all the values and gives them to the player. If there are multiple fisherman symbols visible, the collection process repeats.

Furthermore, whenever fisherman symbols land, they're added to a meter on the side of the grid. Collecting every 4 fisherman symbols retriggers the feature, granting an additional 10 free spins and applying a multiplier to the values on the fish symbols. The first, second, and third retriggers award multipliers of x2, x3, and x10 respectively. After the third retrigger, no more retriggers are possible.

Bazookas and Dynamite

During free spins, if there are 1 or 2 fisherman symbols on the screen but no fish, two random features may activate. One is the Dynamite feature, which adds fish symbols to various positions on the screen. The other is the Bazooka feature, which explodes all symbols on the screen except for the fisherman symbols.

Comparison with Other Games

Game Design for Big Bass Bonanza Megaways

Welcome to the serene lakeshores and the thrill of the catch! “Big Bass Bonanza Megaways” invites you to cast your line, reel in big wins, and explore the underwater wonders. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this slot game combines the excitement of Megaways mechanics with the tranquility of fishing. So, grab your tackle box, put on your fishing hat, and let’s dive into the design of this aquatic adventure.

1. Setting the Scene

Imagine a misty morning on a tranquil lake. The water ripples as you row your boat, surrounded by lush greenery. Your fishing rod is ready, and the anticipation builds. “Big Bass Bonanza Megaways” captures this serene atmosphere, transporting players to a world where fisherman dreams come true.

2. Game Mechanics

• Megaways Reels: The game features a unique 6-reel format with varying symbol sizes, offering up to 46,656 ways to win. Winning combinations are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
• Tumbles: After each win, the winning symbols disappear, making way for new ones. Tumbles continue until no more wins occur, creating a dynamic gameplay experience.

3. Graphics and Soundtrack

• Visuals: The game immerses players in an idyllic lakeside scene—rippling water, lily pads, and dragonflies. The reels spin against a backdrop of a wooden fishing dock.
• Audio: The soundtrack features gentle waves, chirping birds, and the occasional splash. It’s a calming melody that complements the fishing theme.

4. Quest for Big Bass

• Fish Symbols: Line up fish symbols—bass, trout, and catfish—for rewarding catches. Each fish pays differently, with the elusive bass offering the biggest rewards.
• Free Spins: Land three or more scatter symbols (fishing boats) to trigger the bonus game. The more scatters, the more free spins you receive.

5. Unlocking the Jackpot

• Fisherman Wild: The fisherman symbol acts as the wild, substituting for all others except the scatter. When the fisherman appears, he reels in the fish symbols, collecting their prizes.
• Progressive Jackpot: Keep an eye on the golden bass. Collect enough of them during free spins, and you’ll unlock the progressive jackpot—a treasure chest waiting to be opened.

Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Slot Verdict

There's just something captivating about the combination of reeling in fish while also collecting cash prizes that really resonates with a lot of online gamblers. This trend, which started some time ago, is still going strong and has even been used with various non-fishing themes. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways proves that there's still plenty of excitement left in this concept, and Reel Kingdom seems determined to squeeze out every last drop of potential from it, with Megaways providing the perfect platform. While the core experience remains similar to that of Big Bass Bonanza, Megaways adds its trademark thrills and numerous ways to win. It may not be groundbreaking gaming, but it's certainly enough to keep players entertained, building on the scatter collection system introduced by Fishin' Frenzy long ago.

It was only a matter of time before we mentioned Fishin' Frenzy, as it served as the main inspiration for Big Bass Bonanza. In this comparison, let's consider Fishin' Frenzy Megaways as the direct competitor to Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, as both offer fish-themed action. Reel Kingdom's version boasts more advanced features, such as the fisherman collection retriggers and two new modifiers, adding a fresh twist to the gameplay. However, where Blueprint Gaming's slot shines is in its overall potential payouts. While Big Bass Bonanza Megaways caps out at 4,000x the bet, nearly double the original, it's relatively low for a Megaways game. In contrast, Fishin' Frenzy Megaways boasts a potential payout of 10,000x (although we're yet to see proof of this potential). So, if you're all about bigger wins, there's a clear winner here.

If you enjoyed Big Bass Bonanza but wished for a bit more excitement, then Big Bass Bonanza Megaways is the perfect next step. However, it's a bit disappointing that Reel Kingdom didn't push the envelope further by offering even greater winning opportunities, which could have made the game more appealing to a wider audience.