Big Bass Bonanza Megaways Slot Review
Overview
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways takes Pragmatic Play’s famous fishing formula and stretches it across the Megaways engine, giving the slot a busier reel layout, more combinations, and a slightly sharper volatility profile. Released in 2021, it keeps the familiar fisherman‑collect mechanic but adds the unpredictability of cascading reels and expanded ways to win. It’s still recognisably Big Bass, just louder, faster, and capable of throwing bigger money symbols into the mix — up to a hefty 4,000x in the bonus.
Our SlotTribe test run started brilliantly, landing a bonus almost immediately and delivering a chunky 168x win before the feature even reached its multiplier stages. After that early spike, the slot completely cooled off, grinding through the remaining spins with barely any movement. Megaways slots often behave like this — explosive early potential followed by long stretches of nothing — and today’s session was a textbook example.
SlotTribe Test Results to 1.00 Stake
100 Spins Profit/Loss: +96.70
250 Spins Profit/Loss: -29.60
Bonus Frequency: 1
Volatility Feel: High
Mick’s Take
Hit the bonus early on spin 29 and it paid a very nice 168x without even making it onto the X2 spins. After that it completely died on its arse. If you hit a big win, close it down and move onto another slot.
RTP, Provider & Release Date
RTP: Up to 96.70%
Provider: Pragmatic Play
Release Date: 2021
Max Win: 4,000x
Gameplay & Features
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways uses the classic Megaways reel setup, with symbols shifting in height on every spin and cascades clearing winning combinations. This gives the slot a more volatile feel than the original, with sudden bursts of action followed by long quiet patches.
Money symbols can appear with values up to 4,000x, but — as always — they only become collectible once the fisherman shows up in the bonus. The base game is mostly about chasing scatters and hoping cascades line up enough wins to keep the balance steady. When it’s cold, it’s very cold, but the Megaways engine ensures that any spin can suddenly explode.
Free Spins Bonus
Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatters awards 10, 15, 20, or 25 Free Spins. Once inside the feature, the fisherman symbol becomes the centrepiece of the gameplay. Whenever he lands alongside money symbols, he collects all their values and adds them to the bonus total.
The retrigger ladder mirrors the original Big Bass structure but feels more dramatic thanks to the Megaways volatility:
- Every four fishermen retrigger the feature
- Each retrigger awards 10 extra spins
- First retrigger boosts wins with a 2x multiplier
- Second retrigger lifts it to 3x
- Third retrigger jumps to a 10x multiplier
The combination of Megaways cascades and progressive multipliers means the bonus can snowball quickly if fishermen arrive consistently. When they don’t, the feature often feels small and steady. In our test, the early bonus didn’t even reach the multiplier stages — it simply dropped a big cluster of money symbols and paid out before the retrigger ladder came into play.
Volatility, RTP & Max Win
Volatility: High
RTP: Up to 96.70%
Max Win: 4,000x
Graphics & Sound
The Megaways version keeps the same cheerful fishing theme as the original, but the reel layout is busier and more animated. Cascades add movement, money symbols stand out clearly, and the fisherman’s collect animation feels snappier. The soundtrack remains upbeat and familiar, giving the slot a clean, readable presentation despite the increased chaos on the reels.
What It Does Well
- Early bonuses can hit extremely hard
- Money symbols up to 4,000x
- Megaways engine adds volatility and excitement
- Retrigger ladder with escalating multipliers
- Cascades keep spins feeling active
What It Does Badly
- Can go ice‑cold for long stretches
- Retriggers are rare without consistent fishermen
- Base game often feels empty between cascades
- High volatility means balance swings are sharp
Who It’s For
Players who enjoy:
- High‑volatility Megaways slots
- Money‑collect mechanics
- Progressive multiplier bonuses
- Fast, chaotic gameplay
- Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass series
SlotTribe Verdict
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways takes the familiar fisherman‑collect formula and injects it with Megaways volatility, creating a slot that can hit hard early and then vanish into long quiet spells. Our test run delivered a superb 168x bonus within the first 30 spins, proving how quickly the game can wake up, but the remaining spins were completely lifeless. This is a slot built for hit‑and‑run players — when it drops a big win, take it and move on. With money symbols reaching up to 4,000x and a retrigger ladder capable of climbing to 10x multipliers, the potential is absolutely there, but patience is not rewarded. A punchy, high‑risk Megaways upgrade that shines brightest in short bursts.
See Big Bass Bonanza review.
