How We Scored Buffalo Blitz Megaways
| Category | Score | Why |
| Gameplay & Mechanics | 3.5 / 5 | The variable Megaways grid produces up to 117,649 ways to win, a meaningful structural departure from the fixed 4,096-ways format of earlier Buffalo entries. |
| Bonus Features | 3.5 / 5 | Four distinct free spins variants and a randomly triggered jackpot mini-game add variety, but the four-scatter trigger requirement is a high barrier to entry. |
| Graphics & Soundtrack | 3.5 / 5 | Semi-realistic North American wildlife imagery and a polished grassland backdrop are consistent with the series’ visual standard. |
| Mobile Experience | 4 / 5 | The game loaded without delay on a smartphone browser, scaled cleanly, and the shifting Megaways grid remained readable across variable reel heights. |
| Win Potential & RTP | 2.5 / 5 | A 20,000x max win is strong, but the 95.09% RTP — which may fall to approximately 93.93% with jackpot contributions — sits below the ~96% industry average. |
| Overall | 3.2 / 5 |
How This Review Was Conducted
This review is based on hands-on session testing at Vegasino, a licensed casino carrying Playtech’s library. Testing covered approximately 950 spins at a fixed stake of $0.80 per spin across a desktop browser (Chrome) and smartphone browser (Safari).
RTP and specification data were verified against Playtech’s official game documentation and cross-referenced with independently verified sources. Where operator-configurable RTP ranges exist, these are noted and sourced. No affiliate relationship influenced the scoring or editorial conclusions.
About the Reviewer
Stephen Abiola is Maple Casino’s Games Specialist, based in British Columbia. He has written over 5,000 articles across 10+ years covering online casinos and slots for the Canadian market. Stephen tests every game he reviews with real money before scoring it — his focus is always on how a slot’s theoretical specs translate into an actual session, not how it looks on a provider’s marketing sheet.
Game Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Provider | Playtech |
| Theme | North American Plains Wildlife |
| Reels | 6 (plus horizontal top reel) |
| Paylines / Ways | Up to 117,649 ways (Megaways) |
| RTP | 95.09% (default); may fall to approximately 93.93% when progressive jackpot contributions are factored in. Operator-configured RTP range not confirmed — verify in-game before depositing. |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 20,000x stake |
| Min Bet | $0.10 |
| Max Bet | $200.00 |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Bonus Buy | Not available |
| Progressive Jackpot | Yes — four tiers (Mini, Minor, Major, Blitz) |
Overview
Buffalo Blitz Megaways is Playtech’s attempt to merge the long-running Buffalo formula with the Megaways engine, adding progressive jackpots and multiple free spins variants to a familiar wildlife theme. Unlike many Megaways slots that rely primarily on cascading wins, this game places most of its value inside feature play, where wild multipliers and jackpot opportunities can dramatically change the outcome of a session.
Players who enjoy high-risk, feature-driven gameplay may find plenty to like here, but the combination of a below-average RTP and infrequent bonus access makes it a demanding slot to bankroll.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The Megaways engine replaces the fixed payline structure of earlier Buffalo Blitz titles with variable reel heights. On each spin, the number of symbols on each reel changes, which alters the total number of active ways to win — up to a maximum of 117,649. This changes win formation by replacing fixed ways with variable reel heights under the Megaways format.
A horizontal reel sits above the main six-reel grid and adds an additional symbol position to each spin. The diamond wild symbol appears on reels 2 through 6 and on this horizontal reel, substituting for all standard-paying icons in the base game.
The base game produced stretches during testing where card-value symbols landed repeatedly without forming meaningful combinations. Animal-symbol wins — particularly the buffalo, which sits at the top of the paytable — required patience. Win frequency in the base game felt low, with the game’s payout weight sitting heavily inside the bonus rounds.
Bonus Features
Buffalo Blitz Megaways offers four distinct free spins variants, a wild multiplier mechanic active during bonus rounds, and a randomly triggered progressive jackpot mini-game.
Wild Multipliers apply during all free spins variants. The diamond wild can carry a 2x, 3x, or 5x multiplier during bonus play. In the base game, it functions as a standard substitute without multiplier value.
The four free spins variants are:
- Blitz Free Games: 4, 5, or 6 scatters award 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. Three or more scatters can retrigger up to 20 additional spins during the feature.
- Thunder Free Games: 4, 5, or 6 scatters award 8, 12, or 16 free spins. Retriggering is possible with 3 or more scatters, up to 16 additional rounds.
- Buffalo Free Games: The same scatter counts award 6, 9, or 12 free spins. Retriggering is capped at 12 extra rounds.
- Mystery Free Spins: 4 or more scatters award a random number of free spins between 6 and 20. Retriggering can add between 3 and 20 additional rounds.
The Jackpot Blitz feature triggers randomly during play and presents a 4×5 grid of diamond symbols. Clicking the diamonds reveals jackpot symbols beneath; matching three identical symbols awards one of four progressive prizes — Mini, Minor, Major, or Blitz. The trigger is entirely random and is not connected to scatter landings.
During testing, reaching the free spins feature required more spins than expected. The four-scatter requirement is a meaningful barrier, and the feature did not appear during every session. When wild multipliers did appear during free spins, the payout difference compared to unmultiplied wins was noticeable.
RTP and Win Potential
Playtech publishes the RTP for Buffalo Blitz Megaways at 95.09%, which sits below the widely cited industry average of around 96%. Over a long session, a lower RTP means the house edge is slightly wider than what you would find on many competing Megaways titles.
According to Playtech’s documentation, when the progressive jackpot contribution is factored in, the effective RTP may fall to approximately 93.93%. The portion of each bet feeding the jackpot pools is, in effect, removed from the standard return calculation. For players who are not specifically chasing the jackpot, this represents a real cost to session value.
The operator-configured RTP range for this title has not been independently confirmed. Always verify the RTP in the in-game paytable before depositing. The maximum win is 20,000x stake — meaningfully higher than the original Buffalo Blitz’s 10,000x ceiling.
Graphics and Soundtrack
The visual presentation is consistent with the Buffalo series’ established standard. Semi-realistic animal imagery — buffalo, bears, mountain lions, moose, and raccoons — fills the symbol positions against a North American grassland backdrop. The aesthetic is polished without being distinctive.
The progressive jackpot display above the reels is a persistent visual element that dominates the upper portion of the screen. This is a functional design choice that keeps jackpot awareness high throughout a session.
Mobile Performance
Testing on a smartphone browser produced no layout issues or touch-response problems. The game loaded without delay and the interface scaled cleanly to a smaller screen.
Bet controls and the spin button were positioned accessibly. The shifting Megaways grid remained readable across variable reel heights, which is a meaningful test for this format on mobile. The experience was consistent with the desktop version.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Up to 117,649 ways to win via Megaways engine | RTP of 95.09% is below the ~96% industry average |
| Four distinct free spins variants with different spin counts | Four scatters required to trigger free spins — a high threshold |
| Wild multipliers (2x, 3x, 5x) active during bonus rounds | Effective RTP may fall to ~93.93% with jackpot contribution factored in |
| Progressive jackpot with four prize tiers | No bonus buy option to access free spins directly |
| Max win potential of 20,000x stake | Base game win frequency is low — extended dry stretches are common |
| Clean mobile performance with no layout issues observed during testing | Jackpot trigger is fully random with no scatter or bet-size connection |
Who Is This Slot For?
Buffalo Blitz Megaways suits players who actively seek high-variance gameplay and are prepared to fund sessions through extended quiet periods in anticipation of feature-driven payouts. The slot’s structure rewards patience and a larger bankroll buffer.
It does not suit:
- Casual players looking to extend session time on a modest budget
- RTP-conscious players who prioritise return rate when selecting slots
- Players who prefer three-scatter bonus triggers, bonus buy access, or lower-volatility play patterns
Due to high volatility, expect extended dry spells between significant wins. Manage your session budget accordingly before loading the game.
Where to Play
Buffalo Blitz Megaways was tested at Vegasino, a licensed online casino carrying Playtech’s slot library. Availability may vary depending on your province and local regulations, so it’s worth checking game access before registering. For a closer look at the platform’s features, payment options, and overall player experience, see our full Vegasino Casino review.
Similar Slots You Might Enjoy
If the Buffalo series appeals to you, the Megaways format appears across several other titles worth comparing. For a broader look at how this game fits within the wider category of real money online slots, our hub covers volatility profiles and provider comparisons across the full range.
Players drawn to the North American wildlife theme and high-volatility Megaways structure may also want to read our Buffalo King Megaways slot review, which covers a comparable Pragmatic Play title with a different bonus architecture. For those interested in how the original non-Megaways version compares, our Buffalo King slot review covers the fixed-ways format and its free spins multiplier mechanics in detail.
Responsible Gambling
Buffalo Blitz Megaways is a high-volatility slot. The four-scatter trigger requirement means bonus rounds can be absent for extended stretches, and the base game produces limited returns between features — a pattern that can encourage continued play in pursuit of a bonus that may not arrive within a given session budget.
- Set a session budget before you start and treat it as an entertainment cost, not a recovery target
- The four-scatter trigger threshold means feature droughts can last significantly longer than on three-scatter slots — factor this into your session planning before you begin
- Use your casino’s deposit limits, session timers, and self-exclusion tools if your play feels compulsive
- Free support is available across Canada: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 · BCLC GameSense 1-888-795-6111 · AGLC GameSense (Alberta) · ccsa.ca
For a full overview of tools available to Canadian players, visit our Responsible Gambling page.
FAQ
The published RTP is 95.09%, which is below the industry average of approximately 96%. According to Playtech’s documentation, when progressive jackpot contributions are factored in, the effective RTP may fall to around 93.93%. Always verify the RTP in the in-game paytable before depositing, as operator-configured ranges have not been independently confirmed for this title.
Four or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels are required to trigger any of the four free spins variants. This is a higher threshold than many competing slots that trigger on three scatters. During testing, the feature did not appear in every session, which is consistent with the game’s high-volatility profile.
The Jackpot Blitz feature triggers randomly during play and is not connected to scatter landings or bet size. When it activates, a 4×5 grid of diamond symbols appears; clicking them reveals jackpot symbols beneath, and matching three identical symbols awards the corresponding prize tier — Mini, Minor, Major, or Blitz.
No. Buffalo Blitz Megaways does not include a bonus buy feature. The free spins must be triggered organically through scatter landings. Players who prefer direct access to bonus rounds will find this a notable absence.
The diamond wild symbol can carry a 2x, 3x, or 5x multiplier during any of the four free spins variants. It appears on reels 2 through 6 and on the horizontal reel above the main grid. In the base game, the wild substitutes for standard symbols but does not carry a multiplier value.
Yes. Testing on a smartphone browser confirmed the game loads without delay, scales cleanly to smaller screens, and presents no touch-response issues. The Megaways grid remained readable across variable reel heights, and the experience was consistent with the desktop version.
