Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Slot Overview
In this Big Bass Bonanza Megaways review, we focus on how the new format changes the feel of the original release. Expanding reels, a moving top tracker and cash-value fish create a more dynamic structure, while the Fisherman and collection system remain at the centre of the gameplay. Here we outline how the slot looks, pays and behaves in practice, building a clear view of what this version offers compared with the classic release.
Graphics & Sound: Underwater Reel Calm
The game opens with a submerged backdrop: drifting weeds, rising bubbles and semi-transparent reels that look suspended mid-water. An extra top reel stretches across the screen like a shimmering surface layer, with icons gently floating past. Symbols double down on the fishing theme — floats, rods, tackle boxes, dragonflies and gold-scaled fish. The art isn’t trying to impress; it simply keeps the theme cohesive and readable.
On the audio side, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways mirrors the original Big Bass Bonanza. The ambience leans into quiet aquarium vibes: soft bubbling, slow splashes and occasional mechanical clicks. With two Scatters, the tension rises a little as the music speeds up. Free Spins add light effects — the pop of dynamite, quick cues when fish are collected — nothing memorable, but fully on-theme.
Volatility & RTP
RTP sits at 96.7%, which is standard for Pragmatic slots. Volatility is high, rated 5/5 by Pragmatic Play. The maximum win is x4,000 times your stake; reaching this cap during free spins ends the feature immediately, and any remaining spins are forfeited.
How to Play Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
To play Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, you first set your stake using the “+” and “–” buttons, with bet levels ranging from 0.20 to 100 per spin. A spin can be started either via the on-screen button or by pressing the spacebar.
Music and sound effects can be muted separately in the settings menu. In some jurisdictions, additional options such as autoplay, quick spin, or turbo spin may also be available.
Game Symbols and Payouts
Understanding the win structure is straightforward once you look at how the reels stack. Reels 1 and 6 can reach up to six symbols each, while reels 2–5 hold up to five symbols plus an additional position on the top tracker. That top row spins independently from right to left, and all wins are paid for left-to-right adjacent symbols of any size.
Top symbols:
| Symbol | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float | x2 | x5 | x10 | x25 | x50 |
| Fishing Rod | — | x1 | x2 | x2.5 | x7.5 |
| Dragonfly | — | x0.25 | x1 | x1.5 | x2 |
| Tackle Box | — | x0.25 | x0.5 | x0.75 | x2 |
| Fish | — | x0.2 | x0.4 | x0.6 | x1.75 |
Low symbols:
| Symbol | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | x0.2 | x0.4 | x0.6 | x1.75 |
| K | x0.2 | x0.25 | x0.6 | x1 |
| Q | x0.15 | x0.25 | x0.5 | x1 |
| J | x0.15 | x0.25 | x0.5 | x0.9 |
| 10 | x0.1 | x0.2 | x0.4 | x0.8 |
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Slot Features
The feature set follows the familiar Big Bass formula but adapts it to the expanding Megaways reel structure.
- Scatter (Golden Fish): Appears anywhere on the reels, including the top tracker. Three or more Scatters trigger Free Spins.
- Wild (Net): Substitutes for all symbols except the Scatter and the Fisherman. Appears only on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5, and only on the top row.
- Fisherman: Available exclusively in Free Spins. Each Fisherman collects money values from Fish on the screen. He's also needed to upgrade the bonus round.
- Money Fish: Acts as both a regular symbol and a cash-value symbol. Possible values: x2, x5, x10, x15, x20, x25, x50, x4000 of total bet. These values pay only if at least one Wild Fisherman lands on the same spin.
- Dynamite: Randomly triggers at the end of a Free Spin when 1 or 2 Fishermen are on the screen with no Fish present. Dynamite creates Money symbols in random positions.
- Bazooka: Also random. If 1 or 2 Fishermen land with no Fish, a bazooka animation may occur, transforming all symbols into new ones except the Fisherman.
Bonus Choice
The Free Spins round is the core feature of Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, and most of the slot’s volatility comes from the collector progression. The number of Scatters determines how many spins you start with, while Fisherman symbols drive retriggers and multipliers.
- 3 Scatters — 10 Free Spins; 4 — 15; 5 — 20; 6 — 25.
- Every Fisherman collects all the Money Fish values on the screen.
- All Fishermen that land during the round are stored until the end of the feature.
- Every 4th Fisherman triggers: +10 extra Free Spins.
- An increased collect multiplier: x2 on the first retrigger, x3 on the second, x10 on the third.
- After the third retrigger, the feature cannot retrigger again.
- The extra spins begin only after the previous batch ends, and all multipliers apply to the new spins.
Summary
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways turned out to be a patient predator — just not on our side. Across 320 spins, we saw only two bonuses: the first around spin 130, the second closer to 200. Both played out quietly; Fishermen did land, but mostly collected low-value fish, and neither round reached a retrigger. The most frustrating moment came with three Fishermen in two spins… and no fourth. The results: x11 and x26 — hardly triumphant.
The base game stays afloat thanks to the top tracker, which genuinely helps complete ways, though most wins sit below or around the stake. Our only notable hit (x56) arrived more or less by accident after roughly 200 spins.
After the full test run, we ended at minus 100 bets. Fine for demo play, but not something you’d want carried into a real bankroll.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways suits players who enjoy slow-burn Megaways titles with potential, but it won’t appeal to anyone impatient with empty free spins or long stretches of inactivity. If you prefer a steadier pace, the original Big Bass Bonanza fits better; or you can switch to a completely different mood with Gates of Olympus and its Pay Anywhere system.
