If you’ve ever dreamt of a stampede of rhinos, you might want to listen closely. The rumblings on the horizon aren’t a horde of wild animals, but the buzz surrounding Pragmatic Play’s first-ever Megaways-powered slot: Great Rhino Megaways. With the acquisition of the Megaways license from Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play took the plunge into the exciting world of Megaways with a makeover of its popular Great Rhino game. However, the question remains: does this remake truly elevate the game, or does it simply rehash an old concept? Let’s dive into this Great Rhino Megaways review tailored for Canadian players, from bustling cities like Toronto and Vancouver to smaller towns like Kelowna and Whistler.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pragmatic Play |
| Megaways License | Acquired from Big Time Gaming |
| Reels and Symbols | 6 reels with 2-7 symbols per reel, plus 1 horizontal bonus reel |
| Ways to Win | Up to 200,704 ways |
| Bet Range | $/€0.20 to $/€100 per spin (with Ante Bet: $/€0.25 to $/€125) |
| Max Win | 20,000x stake |
| RTP (Return to Player) | Between 96.47% and 96.58% |
| Volatility | High |
| Cascading Reels (Tumble Feature) | After each win, symbols cascade and new symbols drop in, continuing until no new wins occur |
| Wild Symbol | Rhino wild (only lands on the bonus 4-symbol reel), substitutes for any pay symbol |
| Scatter Symbol | Golden Rhino Coin Scatter (triggers free spins when 4 or more appear) |
| Free Spins | Triggered by 4+ scatters, with 4 options: |
| – 15 free spins with 1x multiplier | |
| – 10 free spins with 5x multiplier | |
| – 5 free spins with 10x multiplier | |
| – Mystery Choice (random number of free spins and random multiplier) | |
| Multiplier in Free Spins | Progressive multiplier increases by 1x for each tumble, with no upper limit |
| Extra Free Spins | Triggered by landing 4 scatters during the feature, adding 5 extra free spins |
| Ante Bet Feature | Increases the bet by 25% to double the chance of triggering free spins |
| Max Payout for Cheetah Symbol | 50x stake for 6 symbols |
| Max Payout for Gorilla Symbol | 5x stake for 6 symbols |
| Max Payout for Crocodile Symbol | 2.5x stake for 6 symbols |
| Max Payout for Flamingo Symbol | 1.5x stake for 6 symbols |
| Max Payout for Hyena Symbol | 2x stake for 6 symbols |
| Mobile Compatibility | Available on desktop, tablet, and mobile |
| Free Demo Version | Available to try before playing with real money |
A New Twist on a Familiar Game
Great Rhino Megaways offers a visually appealing experience, set against the golden plains of Africa. This environment, complete with soothing nature sounds, quickly transports players into a tranquil setting. However, that peace is short-lived as the drums of an African-themed soundtrack punctuate each spin. Although the original Great Rhino slot wasn’t a groundbreaking hit, Pragmatic Play’s use of the Megaways engine brings a fresh perspective to the gameplay.
By adding the Megaways mechanic, which allows for up to 200,704 ways to win, the slot takes the familiar gameplay to a new level. The gamble? The high volatility of the game, which can lead to big rewards, but only if you can endure the ride. With an RTP ranging between 96.47% and 96.58%, the math model holds strong, offering players an engaging experience.
Gameplay Mechanics and Betting Options
Getting started is straightforward. You can choose your bet size from 20 cents up to $100 per spin. For those who prefer automated gameplay, Great Rhino Megaways also offers up to 100 auto spins. The game uses a cascading symbol system, which means that winning combinations are removed, and new symbols cascade into place. This tumbling feature can continue until no new wins are formed.
Pragmatic Play uses the full potential of the Megaways engine by introducing six reels with a dynamic number of 2-7 symbols per reel and an additional horizontal bonus reel that appears above reels 2-5. This setup opens up a plethora of winning opportunities and adds an exciting element of surprise. The wild rhino symbol only lands on the bonus 4-symbol reel, substituting for any pay symbol and helping form winning combinations.
Symbols and Payouts
The symbol set remains largely similar to the original Great Rhino, but with a few updates. The high-paying symbols include flamingos, hyenas, crocodiles, gorillas, and cheetahs, with the cheetah being the most lucrative symbol, paying up to 50x your stake for six symbols in a payline. Low-paying symbols have a fresh design, inspired by tribal wood carvings, giving them an authentic feel that fits well with the game’s theme.
Here’s a breakdown of some key payouts:
- Cheetah: Pays 50x for 6 symbols
- Gorilla: Pays 5x for 6 symbols
- Crocodile: Pays 2.5x for 6 symbols
- Hyena: Pays 2x for 6 symbols
- Flamingo: Pays 1.5x for 6 symbols
- Low-paying Royal Symbols: Pays between 1.5x and 1x for 6 symbols
Bonus Features and Free Spins
While Great Rhino Megaways doesn’t boast a variety of bonus games, it does feature an enticing free spins round that could lead to substantial wins. You need to land four or more scatter symbols to trigger the free spins. Here’s where things get interesting: players can choose one of four different free spins options, each with varying levels of volatility:
- 15 free spins with a 1x multiplier
- 10 free spins with a 5x multiplier
- 5 free spins with a 10x multiplier
- Mystery Choice, which offers a random combination of spins and multipliers
During the free spins, the multiplier increases by +1 with each tumble (win), and this increase is unlimited. If additional scatter symbols land during the feature, they add 5 extra free spins and extend the potential for bigger wins.
For those looking to boost their chances of triggering the free spins feature, there is the Ante Bet option. This allows players to increase their bet slightly (from the base 20p) in exchange for a greater chance of landing scatters and triggering the free spins.
Pragmatic Play’s Safe Yet Solid Approach
Great Rhino Megaways may be a safe choice for Pragmatic Play’s first attempt at a Megaways slot. While it’s not a revolutionary game, it’s well-crafted and delivers a standard Megaways experience. The game’s mechanics are reliable, and the design is visually appealing, but it lacks the originality seen in other slots powered by Megaways. The use of an old concept, combined with features borrowed from other developers (such as Blueprint Gaming’s free spins structure), shows that Pragmatic Play chose the safe route for this release.
How to Play and Win
As mentioned, you can bet between 20 cents and $100 per spin. The Ante Bet option is a great way to boost your chances of triggering free spins. If you enjoy the thrill of high-stakes gaming, Great Rhino Megaways provides an excellent opportunity to try your luck with a larger bet.
In terms of features, the Tumble mechanic is key to landing multiple wins from a single spin. As winning combinations are removed, new symbols fall into place, potentially triggering more wins. This cascading feature can make for exciting gameplay, especially when combined with the expanding multiplier during free spins.
Where to Play Great Rhino Megaways in Canada
For Canadian players, Great Rhino Megaways is available at various top-rated online casinos. You can play for real money or try the game’s demo version before diving into real wagers. Some online casinos that feature this game include:
- Melbet (Bonus Code: VIVABONO — Up to $1750 + 290 Free Spins)
- 1xSlots (Bonus Code: VIVABONO — Up to $450 + 100 Free Spins)
These casinos provide a variety of payment options for Canadian players, including Interac, Credit/Debit Cards, and eWallets. Additionally, they offer excellent customer support and are licensed to ensure safe and fair gameplay.
Conclusion
Great Rhino Megaways is a solid slot game that delivers the Megaways experience with reliable gameplay and great potential for big wins. While it doesn’t introduce anything groundbreaking, the combination of beautiful graphics, high volatility, and a straightforward approach to the Megaways mechanic will appeal to both new and seasoned players alike. Canadian players, especially those from cities like Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal, will enjoy the opportunity to spin the reels and perhaps land the elusive big win. Will this be your next favorite Megaways slot? Only time will tell!
