Online slots have evolved past their pub game past. They come in hundreds of different themes, ranging from classic fruit machines to modern slots with incredible features that almost rival video games. You can try online slot games for free, and in that way try out all the new mechanics.
And there are plenty of those to try. Matching 3 symbols on a line is a thing of the past. Sure, the symbol-matching mechanics are still around, but you can now win in hundreds or thousands of different ways. Plus, there are bonus rounds that introduce even more impressive features, which certainly sounds appealing to many players. We’ll talk more about the most popular mechanics and features you’ll find in modern online slots.
243 Ways to Win
This is one of the earliest modern slot mechanics that bravely went where no other slot didn’t. Instead of just a few paylines, the 243-ways-to-win mechanics did something new. You don’t need to line up 3+ matching symbols on an active payline, but in adjacent positions. Basically, you need matching symbols on adjacent reels, without worrying about their positions.
Available in many slots at Rocket Riches casino, this particular mechanic is a favorite of Microgaming. One of the world’s top studios, Microgaming is among the pioneers when it comes to this mechanic. It was used in its massive hit Thunderstruck II, as well as Game of Thrones 243 Ways. The concept has been expanded in many other slots, with increasing winning ways under certain conditions.
This mechanic proved to be a game-changer in the online slot industry. It paved the way for even more exciting mechanics going forward.
Megaways
Is there a more popular modern slot mechanic than Megaways? We don’t think so. After the 243 ways to win, the biggest game-changer in the modern slot industry is the variable Megaways engine. It has up to 117,649 ways to win. How many of those you get depends on the actual number of symbols you land per reel. You can land between 2 and 7, with wins formed from left to right for 3 or more matches in adjacent positions.
Developed by Big Time Gaming, the popular mechanic makes every spin unique. You don’t know what awaits under the corner. Thanks to the popularity of this engine, many developers license it for their slots. Games Global, Pragmatic Play, and NetEnt are among the developers that use it often. As you might expect, Megaways slot games pack quite the punch. They are more rewarding than regular slots, with wins often reaching 20,000x the bet.
The core feature behind this mechanic is tumbles. They’re also known as cascades or rolling reels. It’s the same thing. The cascades are triggered by regular symbol wins. Each win replaces the winning symbols with new ones, offering new winning opportunities. On top of that, providers add other special features into these slots and bonus rounds that make great use of the Megaways engine.
Clusters and Megaclusters
The Cluster Pays mechanic works by grouping symbols together for wins instead of having them on adjacent reels. These slots are usually played on large grids instead of separate reels. There are no paylines at all, and depending on the slot, you need 5 or more matching symbols in a cluster to pop a win.
Cascades (or avalanches) usually follow, and may trigger some special features to boost your wins further. This particular mechanic is developed with cutting-edge tech, and that’s why it’s used in advanced, more complex slots. Notable examples include Reactoonz by Play’n GO, or the Sweet Bonanza series by Pragmatic Play.
This variable mechanic can be tweaked in all kinds of ways. Developers have come up with various and innovative solutions to make the Cluster Pays mechanic all the more exciting. And rewarding, of course. For example, Big Time Gaming itself modified the engine with Megaclusters which rely on mega-sized clusters. More clusters and symbols mean more ways to win, so it’s a welcome addition.
One thing’s for sure – the Cluster Pays mechanic certainly changed the way we play and win in online slots. It’s a rewarding, well-thought-out engine with fun features and replay potential that makes these slots more than worthwhile.
Gigablox
One of the most innovative and best slot developers, Yggdrasil, has come up with the Gigablox engine. It is widely used in its slots and involves giga-sized symbols that can take up a big part of the grid. Most Gigablox slots offer gigablox symbols on each spin, so you can benefit from those massive blocks from the get-go.
The mechanic itself is easy to follow. Thanks to the high winning potential these slots offer, it would be wise to play responsibly and read a few tips and tricks on slot games. You should always go with the highest-paying slots with rewarding mechanics, and Gigablox definitely falls in that category.
It’s an advanced system that players love a lot, and has already produced more than a few hits. If you like to try something different than clusters or tumbles, gigablox slots are a real thrill.
InfiniReels
While most developers stick to similar systems, Red Tiger came up with something truly innovative. The InfiniReels mechanic adds new reels to the right side of the slot as long as you keep winning. So, for example, every win in Megaways slots is followed by a tumble. With InfiniReels, you get a new reel on the right side on each win, with no cap on the possible number of reels.
This exciting mechanic has been used in just a few slots so far. But, its popularity is on the rise, and we expect to see more of it in the future. The winning reel-adding animations are a blast to see on any device, including the top Android and iOS devices.
Since you’re opening up new reels, this means more symbols and more winning opportunities. In our opinion, it’s the most innovative slot system in recent years, even dwarfing engines like Megaways that have outstayed their welcome.
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