As great as slots are, we have to admit that sometimes we want to play something that goes beyond the traditional reel-spinning mechanics. Give us online slots UK players something new and exciting, we say! Good thing that there are modern games with different mechanics that satisfy our want for an alternative. Today we’re going to tell you all about a pair of game styles that are growing in popularity in 2025 - Megaways and cluster pays. Not familiar with these? Don’t worry, you’ll soon be!
Introduction: Evolving Slot Mechanics
Since the early days of the late 1800s slots were based around a chief mechanic, the payline. This is the winning combination, which requires landing a number of matching symbols on the game’s reels. The first slots had one payline running through the reels’ middle reels, but advancements in technology soon allowed for games with 3, 5, and eventually more paylines. Some games have a fixed number of paylines, while others allow you to adjust it according to how much you want to bet, bringing some flexibility to the experience.
The introduction of online slots has broadened the horizons for game developers, allowing for far unique and innovative mechanics that go beyond the limitations of mechanical machines. The first of these new games simply increased the number of reels and paylines, but soon players started demanding more. Interestingly, 2016 saw the release of both the first Megaways and Cluster Pays slots. These are truly innovative slot formats that go beyond the simple payline, and we’re going to tell you why these are the case.
What Are Megaways Slots?
Megaways is the brainchild of Big Time Gaming (BTG), a small Australian game developer with a very smart concept for highly unpredictable and exciting slots. The idea goes as such - a slot where the number of rows on each reel changes on each spin. As a result the number of winning combinations is dynamic, as it depends on the number of rows available on each reel on the current spin. Paylines would be formed by landing at least 3 matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel and moving from left to right.
The first Megaways slot was Dragon Born, which was launched in casinos in 2016. This fantasy-themed slot presented all the features that make a Megaways game. These include the big 6-reel setup, with each reel holding anything from 2 to 7 rows. This led to a maximum of 117,649 paylines, a number that would soon be familiar to fans of Megaways slots.
Dragon Born failed to make a splash on the slot landscape, but BTG’s following game soon would. This was Bonanza, a game that ran on the same Megaways engine and introduced another exciting feature into the mix - cascades. Land any of the winning combinations available and the symbols making it will explode! This is followed by new symbols dropping on the reels to fill the empty spaces, potentially bringing more wins and, if this is the case, further cascades. Bonanza was a massive hit, leading to many imitators and BTG licensing the Megaways engine to other providers that wanted to make games based on these mechanics.
What Are Cluster Pays Slots?
Paylines are great and all, but what if a slot didn’t need them? What if winning combinations were instead formed by landing a number of matching symbols on vertically or horizontally adjacent positions on the reels? This is the basic idea behind cluster slots, where wins are formed by landing, yes, clusters of symbols. These games are based around a grid layout, typically 5x5 in size or larger, while cascades are a major feature.
NetEnt is arguably the important provider of cluster slots, since it’s the one that brought us the first of these games. This was 2016’s Aloha! Cluster Pays, the charming Hawaiian-themed game that remains popular to this day. Aloha! Cluster Pays introduced many of the features we described above, from the cluster-based win system to the cascades that lead to even more exciting gameplay. Following that many providers took the idea and ran with it, including Play’n GO with its Reactoonz games and Pragmatic Play, the company behind the Sugar Rush series.
Key Differences Between Megaways and Cluster Pays
As you can gather from the above descriptions, Megaways and Cluster Pays slots vary greatly for each other. This means it can get a bit difficult to decide which of these two styles of games are right for you, which is why we’re detailing the key differences between them right here.
Winning System
This one is simple - wins in Megaways slots are formed with paylines, which as a rule require landing at least 3 or more matching symbols on adjacent reels. Paylines always start from the leftmost reel, moving from left to right.
Cluster slots on the other hand require landing a “cluster.” This consists of a required number of matching symbols, generally 5 or more, in horizontally or physically adjacent positions on the grid. The position as to where the cluster is located does not actually matter, the number of adjacent matching symbols is what does.
Gameplay
The gameplay layout is the most distinctive difference between Megaways and Cluster Pays games. Megaways slots are still based around the traditional reels, even if these have a variable number of rows that changes on each spin. Cluster Pays slots, meanwhile, are grid based, although they can still be referred to as consisting of reels with a fixed number of rows.
Features
Both Megaways and Cluster Pays formats allow for feature-rich slots. Megaways games often feature cascades, which can be tied to a multiplier that grows as one gets more cascades on the same spin. Other slots tie cascades with free spins, with reaching a set number of cascades on a spin unlocking the bonus feature.
Megaways games similarly often feature cascades that can be tied to unlocking either multipliers or bonus rounds. Some games track the colour symbol used in winning combinations, with each symbol tied to a set feature or game modifier.
Player Appeal
Whether you’ll prefer to play Megaways or Cluster Pays slots depends on the type of game you enjoy. Megaways slots are big and dynamic, leading to highly volatile action and plenty of tension. Cluster Pays, on the other hand, are more puzzle-like, as the idea is to form groups of matching symbols on the reels. The pace is more sedate, as the volatility tends to be on the lower end of the scale, but of course this can differ between slots!
Why Players Choose Megaways
So, why would you want to play a Megaways slot? Fans of this style of game cite the excitement brought about by the huge amounts of “ways to win” or paylines. Megaways slots are massively dynamic, especially if cascades are in the picture. Symbols disappear before more drop on the reels, possibly leading to even more wins! All of this makes for highly volatile gameplay with big win potential. In addition to all of this, Megaways games come in all shapes, sizes, and even brands as providers use the engine for their branded slots. As such, it’s safe to say that there is a Megaways game for pretty much everybody.
Why Players Choose Cluster Pays
While cluster slots have been around since 2016, this style of game remains rather novel. This is for good reason, since cluster slots drop the traditional reels for a more immersive win format. The game is no longer bound by paylines, as instead you’re looking to form clusters on the grid. Add a cascading wins mechanic and the result is a game that truly comes to life once you manage to land a winning cluster. Wins are regularly paired with bonus and modifier features, adding to the anticipation for something exciting to be switched on should you manage to get enough wins!
Slingo’s Perspective: Different Ways to Play
Which should you play, Megaways or Cluster Pays? Well… what about both? Here at Slingo we bring plenty of Megaways and Cluster Pays games, meaning there’s always something that will suit your fancy. Ultimately the choice between these two types of slots boils down to personal preferences, not to mention your mood and taste at the time. Megaways are more volatile and exciting, Cluster Pays are more thoughtful and puzzle-like. Try the two and then decide which one is truly your favourite.
FAQs
Is Megaways Better Than Cluster Pays?
Whether Megaways or Cluster Pays are better depend on your tastes and gameplay style. Megaways slots are more volatile, whereas Cluster Pays bring a more puzzle-like style of play.
Do Cluster Pays slots have paylines?
No, Cluster Pays slots do not have paylines. Instead you need to form clusters of 5 or more matching symbols in vertically or horizontally adjacent positions anywhere on the game grid.
What makes Megaways slots unique?
Megaways slots have dynamic reels, as the number of rows on each reel changes on each spin. The number of rows per reel varies between 2 to 7, allowing for up to 117,649 paylines in the case of a 6-reel slot.
Conclusion: Finding Your Favourite Style
Megaways and Cluster Pays are two of the most popular types of modern video slot, and they’re both worth checking out if you want to play something new and different. Good thing that Slingo has both types available to play! Check out our selection of slots, and while you’re at it make sure to play responsibly. Set a bankroll for your game sessions and never chase your losses - these are games of chance after all! Have fun playing slots, but always do so safely.
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