{"id":230998,"date":"2025-04-11T06:09:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T06:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/?p=230998"},"modified":"2025-04-11T06:09:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T06:09:05","slug":"megaways-vs-retro-slots-which-are-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/gaming\/megaways-vs-retro-slots-which-are-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Megaways vs. Retro Slots: Which Are Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Slots are bigger than ever<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2020, they\u2019ve fast-become the most popular type of online casino game. It doesn\u2019t matter if you play inside BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel: slots are officially the most in-demand game. This is why there are thousands of them \u2014 literally<\/em> \u2014 to pick from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who\u2019ve ever played inside an online or social casino before, you\u2019ll have noticed that slot games are separated into different categories. You\u2019ve got cluster pays slots, video slots, both-ways slots, and all types of other weird and wonderful options. The choice is overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most popular slots of them all, though, are Megaways<\/strong> and retro<\/strong>. These are the two categories that players go the most crazy for, which is why today\u2019s casinos keep their game libraries stacked to the ceiling with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a player\u2019s perspective, choosing between these slots is actually quite important. After all, you want to have fun but also win, right? There\u2019s often real money on the line so you (naturally) want to play slots that payout the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, to get you up-to-scratch and ready to go, this guide is going to provide an in-depth look at Megaways slots, retro slots, and how the two popular categories compare with each other. Specifically, we\u2019ll be looking at important factors like paylines, volatility, in-game features, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s go!<\/em>

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Megaways Slots vs Retro Slots<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What Are Megaways Slots?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Up to 117,649 ways to win<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Dynamic gameplay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Bonus features and free spins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to industry experts SweepsKings<\/a>, \u2018Megaways\u2019 are a collection of new generation slot games where there are up to 117,649 ways to win. There are no fixed paylines. You just need to get matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right and the win is yours \u2014 simple. Each spin is exciting, too, as the height of the reels along with the number of symbols showing on them will change. From one spin to the next, you could be looking at more ways to win and bigger payouts, which is why players love them. Not to mention, almost every Megaways slot out there comes with a ton of bonus features and the potential to unlock free spins, so there\u2019s also that to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was actually back in 2015 when Australia-based slot developer Big Time Gaming <\/em>released the first ever Megaways slot game: Dragon Born. They believed that the online slot industry had become stale, predictable, and boring, as most players were still using online versions of 3-reel and 5-reel slots that you could find on the Las Vegas Strip<\/a> back in the \u201880s. So, they decided to freshen things up by releasing a unique type of slot game built for modern players \u2014 and Megaways slots have exploded ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flash-forward to today and there are now well over 100 Megaways slots available to play on the internet. When you login to an online casino or sweepstakes casino, you\u2019re going to see them, that\u2019s for sure<\/em>. They\u2019re officially one of the most popular game categories due to the fact that Millenial and Gen Z players are absolutely hooked on them, with most of them desperate to get their hands on one of those huge<\/em> Megaways wins that you often see go viral on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What Are Retro Slots?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 3-reel or 5-reel machines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Easy and simple gameplay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Plenty of nostalgia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Retro\u2019 slots are classic slot machines that have been around for over 100 years. They\u2019re the ones that feature Fruits, Bars, Sevens and all of those other awesomely nostalgic symbols that people remember from years gone by. They also have incredibly simple grids, too, with most retro slots using a 3×3 layout or (occasionally) 3×5. All you have to do is hit the spin button, wait for the symbols to land, and hope that you get a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are no overly complex features, either. If you\u2019re someone who loves simplicity, retro slots will be right up your street. You don\u2019t have to deal with cascading reels, never-ending bonus rounds, sticky multipliers, or anything like that. At the absolute<\/em> most, some online retro slots come with \u2018Wilds\u2019 and progressive jackpots, but that\u2019s about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s interesting about retro slots is the demand for them keeps going up, even though they\u2019ve been around for what feels like forever. Clearly, players within the slot world still have an unbreakable fondness for them, with even some of the new-generation players getting in on the action. It\u2019s easy to understand why, as retro slots are still the best option out there for beginner players and those who prefer simplicity over non-stop features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>The Best Megaways Slots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Megaways slots are booming<\/em> right now. Since 2015, over 100 of them have been released over the internet and the majority of today\u2019s online casinos have at least a handful of them available to play in their libraries. So, if you\u2019re looking to play a Megaways slot for the first time, here are some of the best options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26cf\ufe0f\ud83d\udc8e Bonanza Megaways <\/strong>\u2022 High volatility \u2022 96% RTP \u2022 Cascading reels, eye-catching graphics, and \u2018hidden treasures\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udddb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\ud83e\ude78 Blood Suckers Megaways <\/strong>\u2022 High volatility \u2022 97.66% RTP \u2022 Plenty of multipliers, wilds, and a creepy vampire theme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f\ud83d\udd25 Extra Chilli Megaways<\/strong> \u2022 High volatility \u2022 96.82% RTP \u2022 Comes with an awesome feature where you can gamble your winnings in a mini-game to potentially double them<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83d\udcbc\ud83c\udfde\ufe0f Gonzo\u2019s Quest Megaways <\/strong>\u2022 High volatility \u2022 96% RTP \u2022 Avalanche multipliers of up to x15 and free spins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd8d\ud83d\udcb0 Gorilla Gold Megaways <\/strong>\u2022 High volatility \u2022 97% RTP \u2022 Has an epic \u2018Super Spins\u2019 feature where each successful cascade increases the multiplier<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a nutshell, what you\u2019re going to get from all of these games is fast-paced gameplay, lots of ways to win, and the potential for bigger rewards. But because Megaways are so feature-rich, it\u2019s highly recommended that you play them in \u2018demo mode\u2019 first so that you can get to grips with all the different in-game features and symbols. This way, you won\u2019t be overwhelmed when there\u2019s actual real money on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>The Best Retro Slots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Megaways slots first exploded onto the scene, many assumed that it would be the death of retro slots. Interestingly, though, this hasn\u2019t happened. Sure, retro slots aren\u2019t as popular as Megaways, but they\u2019re still packing a serious punch, especially with old-school players and those who prefer simplicity over everything else. And when it comes to the retro slots themselves, there are hundreds of them (literally) to pick from. We recommend these ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc51 \ud83c\udfb0 Forever 7s  <\/strong>\u2022 High volatility \u2022 95.67% RTP \u2022 A classic slot machine that produces mystery symbols whenever the background changes to gold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf0c\ud83d\udc8e Starburst <\/strong>\u2022 Low volatility \u2022 96% RTP \u2022 Perfect for old-school and modern players due to its inclusion of expanding wilds and respins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2600\ufe0f\ud83c\udf49 Fruit Shop <\/strong>\u2022 Low volatility \u2022 96.71% RTP \u2022 Offers all the classic fruit symbols and even some free spins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfb0 Triple Red Hot 7s <\/strong>\u2022 Medium volatility \u2022 94.7% RTP \u2022 About as \u2018retro\u2019 as you can get with just 3 reels and some wilds thrown on top<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udde1\ufe0f\u26a1\ufe0f Thunderstruck <\/strong>\u2022 Medium volatility \u2022 96.1% RTP \u2022 Lots of scatters, wilds, and an 3x multiplier<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll generally find that these retro slots are a lot easier to play because they come with way less features. They\u2019re exactly the type of slot games you would find in classic casinos from the old days, although some of them have incorporated modern features (such as multipliers) as a way to make them entertaining for new-generation players, too. But no matter which generation you\u2019re from or your experience level, all you have to do is quickly look at the symbols, decide how much you want to bet, and then hit the spin button \u2014 it doesn\u2019t get more straight-forward than that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Megaways or Retro Slots: Make Your Choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Should you go with Megaways or retro slots? It\u2019s a great<\/em> question. Really, it comes down to what your personal preferences are, so we recommend doing this. If you want more action, tons of in-game features, and the potential to win much bigger payouts, then Megaways slots are for you (this is why Gen Z and Millennial players are hooked on them). Or, if you prefer the \u2018classic\u2019 slot experience where the gameplay is straight-forward and all you have to do is line up some fruits and sevens across a 3-reel machine, go with retro slots instead. <\/strong>And if you want the best of both worlds, you can simply switch between the two depending on what you feel like that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s definitely worth remembering that Megaways slots can take a little getting used to. If it\u2019s your first time playing one, it might take 30 or 40 spins before you gradually start adapting to features like tumbling reels, multipliers, and more. Once you\u2019ve got the hang of it, though, they\u2019ll be no stopping you. Of course, we also recommend choosing Megaways (and retro slots) with high RTPs so that you can boost your odds of getting a return on the money you wager. Remember, the higher the RTP, the better<\/em>. For reference, anything over 96% is considered good, with most of today\u2019s Megaways and retro slots offering at least a 95% margin for you to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Where to Play Megaways and Retro Slots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to where you can actually play Megaways and retro slots, you generally have two choices: online casinos or sweepstakes casinos. These sites know that players love Megaways and retro slots, so they keep their libraries up-to-date with all the latest titles. Once you\u2019ve created an account, you\u2019ll then be able to play them \u2014 simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside an online casino, you\u2019ll be betting real money on the slot games. However, if you play inside a sweepstakes casino, you\u2019ll be using virtual coins instead. These coins \u2014 \u2018Sweeps Coins\u2019 \u2014 can eventually be redeemed for prizes like cash transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrencies if you collect enough of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, keep in mind that all available slots games on these sites come with demo versions. In other words, you can play for free without betting a single penny. If it\u2019s your first time playing, always use the free-to-play option first so that you can understand exactly what to expect from the specific slot game you\u2019ve chosen. This way, you can avoid the potential headache of finding yourself stuck in the middle of a slot game where there\u2019s real money on the line and you\u2019re finding the features to be incredibly confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Online slots are bigger than they\u2019ve ever been. Since 2020, people have become obsessed with Megaways slots, retro slots, and all kinds of other categories, elevating slots to the very top of the industry. It\u2019s even reached a point where big-name streamers are broadcasting themselves playing slots on Kick<\/em><\/a> and Twitch<\/em>, which shows just how popular this all-time classic casino game has become in the modern age. And the best part about this is that both Megaways and retro slots come with their own benefits and perks that you can enjoy, so there\u2019s something for all<\/em> types of players. Enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Slots are bigger than ever. Since 2020, they\u2019ve fast-become the most popular type of online casino game. It doesn\u2019t matter if you play inside BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel: slots are officially the most in-demand game. This is why there are thousands of them \u2014 literally \u2014 to pick from. For those who\u2019ve ever played inside […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":230999,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-230998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gaming"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230998"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":231000,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230998\/revisions\/231000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/230999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playretrogames.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}