For years, the world of online pokies was defined by traditional paylines. You needed to line up symbols in specific patterns, from left to right, to score a win. It was simple and effective. But then, a couple of revolutionary mechanics came along and completely tore up the rulebook, creating new and exciting ways to play. In the red corner, we have the king of suspense, the master of a million possibilities: Megaways™. And in the blue corner, the explosive chain-reaction champion: Cluster Pays.
These two game engines represent the cutting edge of pokie design, and they offer vastly different experiences. But which one is better? It’s a friendly showdown between two titans of the reels. Let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which style is right for you.
The Challenger: Megaways™ Explained
Invented by our very own Aussie developers, Big Time Gaming, the Megaways™ mechanic is a true game-changer. Instead of fixed paylines, the number of symbols appearing on each reel changes with every single spin. One reel might have two symbols, the next might have seven. This dynamic grid means the number of potential ways to win is constantly shifting, often reaching a staggering 117,649 or more.
The beauty of Megaways™ is the suspense. You win by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, but because the number of symbols is always changing, you never know how much potential a spin holds until the reels stop. It maintains a familiar pokie feel with its spinning reels but dials the excitement up to eleven.
The Contender: Cluster Pays Explained
Popularised by studios like NetEnt, the Cluster Pays mechanic does away with reels and paylines altogether. Instead, the game takes place on a large grid. You score a win by landing a “cluster” of matching symbols that are connected either vertically or horizontally.
The real magic of Cluster Pays happens after you win. The winning cluster typically explodes and disappears, allowing new symbols to cascade down from above to fill the gaps. This creates a chain reaction, where one winning cluster can lead to another, and another, all from a single paid spin. It’s an explosive, fast-paced style of play that can lead to some truly epic chain reaction wins.
The Head-to-Head Comparison
Let’s put them side-by-side:
- Pacing and Feel: Megaways™ is all about the anticipation of the reel reveal—watching to see how many “ways” you get. Cluster Pays is about the explosive satisfaction of a massive chain reaction, like a game of Tetris with cash prizes.
- Winning Potential: Both mechanics are known for their high volatility and massive win potential. Megaways™ often packs its biggest punch into its free spins rounds with increasing multipliers. Cluster Pays can deliver huge wins in the base game through a lucky, large cascade.
- Visuals: Megaways™ games look and feel more like traditional pokies. Cluster Pays games look more like popular mobile grid games, which might appeal more to a younger generation of players.
- Which Player Are You? If you love the classic feel of spinning reels but want more excitement and ways to win, Megaways™ is your go-to. If you love fast-paced, explosive action and the satisfaction of a big combo, you’ll probably love Cluster Pays.
At the end of the day, there’s no single winner here. It all comes down to personal preference. The best thing is that modern casinos are chockers with both types. The only real way to decide is to try a few of each style of online pokies and see which one gets your heart pumping faster
