Raging Rhino Megaways

Raging Rhino Megaways, developed by Light & Wonder (WMS), is a powerful evolution of the classic Raging Rhino slot, powered by Big Time Gaming’s acclaimed Megaways engine. This sequel doesn’t simply replicate the original, but builds on the foundation of its predecessor, offering an expanded gameplay experience with a staggering 117,649 ways to win. This is not just a reskin, but a significant upgrade in terms of mechanics and potential payouts, designed for players who appreciate both the nostalgia of the original and the innovative excitement of Megaways. The game retains the aesthetic of the original, with striking graphics and a predominantly green color scheme. Familiar symbols such as various African wildlife including rhinos, gorillas and crocodiles create a recognizable visual experience. However, the dynamic reel layout and cascading wins now provide a completely different experience.

The Mechanics of Megaways and Cascading Wins

The core of Raging Rhino Megaways lies in its dynamic reel structure. The game features six primary reels, each capable of displaying a variable number of symbols on every spin. Specifically, reels 1 and 6 can hold between 2 to 7 symbols each, while reels 2 through 5 can show between 2 and 6 symbols. This variability is what defines the Megaways mechanic, allowing for a different number of potential paylines to be calculated on each spin, topping out at a maximum of 117,649. Additionally, an extra horizontal reel sits atop reels 2 through 5, consisting of 4 symbols and contributes to winning combinations. This reel spins horizontally from right to left, which is another subtle detail contributing to the dynamic nature of the game. Winning combinations are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel and moving towards the right, regardless of the size of the symbols. The game also uses a cascading reel feature. When a winning combination occurs, the participating symbols explode and disappear, allowing new symbols to cascade from above. This creates the opportunity for multiple wins to occur in a single spin, and it’s enhanced by the extra top reel that provides additional winning chances. Symbols on the top row will fill from the right and connect to the main reel set. The cascading reels mechanics combined with Megaways make this a truly unique game experience.

Symbolism and Payouts: The Wild and the Majestic Rhino

Symbols in Raging Rhino Megaways range from low-value playing card symbols (9, 10, J, Q, K, and A) to the high-value African wildlife such as crocodiles, leopards, gorillas, eagles, and, of course, the rhino. The rhino symbol is, as in the original game, the highest paying icon in the game, providing substantial payouts for six of a kind. The sunset image serves as the Wild symbol, substituting for all symbols except for the Bonus (scatter). In the base game the Wild appears exclusively on the top row and during free spins Wild can appear also on the reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. This function increases the game’s ability to create winning combinations. The scatter symbol, which is represented by a bright diamond, plays a crucial role in activating free spins feature, which we describe below.

The Thrill of Free Spins: Multipliers and Bonus Guarantees

The free spins bonus is activated by landing four or more scatter symbols anywhere on the main reels (scatter does not appear on the top row). This rewards the player with 8 free spins and a starting win multiplier of 1x. This multiplier is applied to every win and increases by 1x each time a cascade occurs during free spins feature. There is no limit to how high the win multiplier can go, which increases the winning potential significantly during the free spins bonus. Furthermore, landing an additional 3 or more scatter symbols during free spins re-triggers the feature, adding 8 more free spins to the total. During the free spins bonus, the wild symbols have additional function. Every wild that appears on reels 2, 3, 4, 5 or the top row can have a random multiplier attached to it: 2x, 3x, or 5x. These wild multipliers apply to any winning combination the wild symbol participates in, providing a significant boost to the payouts during free spins. It’s important to understand how these win multipliers and wild multipliers interact, so if you do not completely grasp all the intricacies of this bonus, start a demo version of the slot and open the embedded “help” by pressing “i” and all the rules will be explained in full detail. And to top it all, if your winnings during the free spins round total less than 10x the bet, a Bonus Guarantee of 10x the bet is awarded, securing a minimum profit during the bonus.

A Worthy Sequel With a Unique Edge

Raging Rhino Megaways successfully blends the beloved characteristics of the original game with the innovative Megaways structure. This creates a gaming experience which is not just another remake but rather a significant enhancement. The combination of variable reels, cascading wins, and escalating multipliers in the free spins bonus, combined with a bonus guarantee, make Raging Rhino Megaways appealing to those who enjoy high-volatility slots. The design maintains its familiarity, but the gameplay provides a significantly more dynamic and unpredictable experience. The additional horizontal top reel and the possibility of multiple wins through the cascade mechanism, along with added multipliers in free spins, gives the player something to chase and offers higher winning potential compared to other Megaways slots, including the original Raging Rhino. This game is a good fit for players who are looking for a slot with both nostalgic elements and innovative mechanics, although the potential for rapid swings in payouts might not appeal to every player.