You know what surprised me about Big Top Bonanza Megaways? After throwing a few hundred spins at different bet levels, this slot isn't quite what I expected from Skywind. I've been playing it pretty much non-stop for the last couple weeks, testing everything from €0.20 bets to some bigger €100 spins, and I've got plenty to share about this circus-themed adventure.
At first glance, Big Top Bonanza Megaways looks like your typical carnival slot, but there's more going on under the big top than meets the eye. Skywind has packed this game with up to 117,649 ways to win, cascading reels, and a free spins bonus that can really ramp up the excitement. After putting it through its paces, I can say it's a solid addition to the Megaways family, even if it doesn't reinvent the wheel.
The moment the game loaded, I was hit with a burst of color and carnival music that instantly put me in a festive mood. The reels are set against a vibrant circus backdrop, complete with striped tents and twinkling lights. While the theme isn't groundbreaking, Skywind has done a great job bringing the circus to life.
What really caught my eye were the detailed character symbols – the strongman, lion tamer, and clown all look fantastic. The animations are smooth, especially when you hit a big win and the symbols come to life. After a few marathon sessions, I did find myself wishing for a bit more variety in the background, but overall, the visuals kept me engaged.
Big Top Bonanza Megaways uses the familiar 6-reel Megaways setup, with an extra horizontal reel at the top. Each spin can have anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols per reel, creating that massive potential for ways to win.
The cascading reels mechanic is where things get interesting. Every time you hit a win, the winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place. I found myself on the edge of my seat during some of these cascades, watching win after win stack up. My best run came from a €5 bet that turned into a 120x win thanks to a long string of cascades.
After hundreds of spins, I got pretty familiar with the symbol lineup. The high-value characters – ringmaster, strongman, lion tamer, and clown – can pay out nicely, especially if you land 5 or 6 of a kind. The low-value card suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) make up the bulk of the wins, though.
The wild symbol, a colorful "WILD" text, was a welcome sight on the top horizontal reel. It substitutes for everything except the scatter, and I found it often helped extend my cascades.
As for real payouts, my biggest single-symbol win came from landing 6 ringmasters, which paid out 50x my bet. Most wins were smaller, in the 1x to 5x range, but they add up quickly with the cascades.
The main special feature I encountered was the Mystery Symbol, represented by a circus ticket. These can land on any reel and transform into matching symbols, potentially creating big wins. I had a few exciting moments where a bunch of Mystery Symbols turned into high-value characters, leading to some nice payouts.
There's also a Bonus Buy option, which lets you jump straight into the free spins for 100x your bet. I tried this a few times out of curiosity, but generally found it more exciting (and economical) to trigger the bonus naturally.
Triggering the free spins took some patience – on average, I hit the bonus about once every 150-200 spins. You need to land 4 or more Bonus scatter symbols to activate it, with more scatters giving you more free spins.
Once in the bonus, things get really interesting. There's an unlimited win multiplier that increases by 1 after each cascade. My best run started with 12 free spins and ended up with a 15x multiplier, netting me a 380x total win. On the flip side, I also had a few bonuses that fizzled out quickly, barely breaking even.
Big Top Bonanza Megaways feels like a medium to high volatility slot. I had plenty of dead spins interspersed with smaller wins, punctuated by occasional big hits. The game's stated RTP is 96.5%, which feels about right based on my experience.
In terms of bankroll impact, I found myself going through ups and downs. A few sessions saw me double my starting balance, while others left me down 30-40%. It's definitely a slot where you need to be prepared for swings.
Based on my testing, I'd recommend starting with smaller bets to get a feel for the game's rhythm. I found €0.40 to €1 spins gave a good balance of playtime and win potential.
If you're feature hunting, keep an eye out for those Mystery Symbols – they can turn a mediocre spin into a big win. And don't get discouraged if the free spins take a while to trigger; when they hit, they can be worth the wait.
I tested Big Top Bonanza Megaways on both my iPhone and iPad, and I'm happy to report it runs smoothly on mobile. The touch controls are responsive, and the game adapts well to different screen sizes.
The only issue I encountered was occasional lag during long cascade sequences on my older iPhone, but it wasn't enough to disrupt the gameplay.
Visually, the game holds up well even after extended play. The character animations are a highlight, especially during big wins. The circus soundtrack is catchy at first, but I did find myself turning it down after a while – a common issue with many slots.
Pros:
Cons:
From my experience, the key to enjoying Big Top Bonanza Megaways is managing your bankroll. I had the most fun and success with a strategy of starting at lower bets (€0.40-€1) and gradually increasing if I hit a nice win streak.
Don't be tempted by the Bonus Buy unless you're comfortable with the risk – I found it more satisfying to trigger free spins naturally.
Compared to other Megaways slots I've played, Big Top Bonanza holds its own. It doesn't have quite as many features as some (like Blueprint's Goonies), but the core gameplay is solid. I found it less volatile than slots like Bonanza, which made for a more balanced experience.
I tested Big Top Bonanza Megaways at several online casinos, but had the best experience at [Casino Name]. The game loaded quickly, payouts were processed smoothly, and their support team was helpful when I had questions about the bonus terms.
After two weeks of intense play, I can say that Big Top Bonanza Megaways is a solid addition to the Megaways lineup. It's not revolutionary, but it offers entertaining gameplay with the potential for some truly exciting moments.
I'd recommend it to fans of medium to high volatility slots who enjoy a well-executed theme. Just remember to keep an eye on your bankroll and enjoy the show!
What's the maximum win potential in Big Top Bonanza Megaways?
Based on my experience and the game info, the max win is 10,000x your bet.
How often do the free spins typically trigger?
In my testing, I averaged one bonus round every 150-200 spins, but this can vary.
Is there an autoplay feature?
Yes, you can set up to 100 autospins with various stop conditions.
Can you play Big Top Bonanza Megaways for free?
Many casinos offer a demo version where you can try the game without risking real money.
How does the Mystery Symbol feature work?
Mystery Symbols transform into matching random symbols after they land, potentially creating big wins.