Slots are the most prolific genre of casino games you will discover available online. They come in hundreds of different themes and offer you many chances to try something fresh. Players who are eager to learn more about an online casino need only take a quick look at its game library and see what slot games are featured there!
Right, but what makes online slot machines so special? Is it their theme – surely it has to be it. Is it a fact you can play them for free or for real money? Yes, this makes sense! Is it the fact that you can spend little for a chance to win big? To be completely honest with you, it’s all of the above and more!
Bonus features are a huge part of the slot experience, and there are many reasons why this is the case – they add vim to the overall experience, create multiple ways for you to explore the game and win, and generally make for a deeply rewarding experience. Whether it is second-screen bonus games or something extra, there are many features that make slots stand out. Let’s take a closer look right now!
What Types of Bonus Features Are There?
There are many different types of reward features that are available in slot games. We will take pains to now cover the major ones so that you can navigate these games a little better and with greater overall understanding! Here are some of the most prominent ones:
| Game Feature | How It Works |
| Free Spins | Free spins are simply the most popular form of bonus feature there is. You get 5, 10, or 15. These free rounds are synonymous with what a bonus feature in slot games means. |
| Bonus Games | Bonus games are second-screen games, which can be something like Jumanji’s special board or Dead or Alive showdown round. They are unique to each game! |
| Multipliers | Multipliers are a great deal of fun as well, as you can really make a lot out of the experience. These are applied to your regular slot gameplay for some game-enhancing payouts! |
| Jackpots | Jackpots in slot games can come and go in many forms – fixed, progressive, and in-between. The jackpot payout can be quite big – just think about Mega Moolah and its million-worth jackpot! |
| Wilds | A wild symbol is just that – a symbol, but it can also create unique opportunities. For example, some wilds are “walking wilds,” meaning that they stick around and re-trigger free spins while they are on the reels! |
As you can see, these are some of the most famous and defining types of bonus features slot games will have. There are, of course, other options to explore here as well!
The Other Bonus Features to Try in Slots
Besides all of the above, there are other subtle ways that slots appeal to gamers who are keen to explore something new and exciting. Although the themes can be quite fun, many players will focus specifically on how the gameplay comes together.
Sometimes, a title may run multiple reward features – Jumanji by NetEnt is a fantastic example of that, but it’s not necessary for a slot game to have that many features to actually feel rewarding. Gamblers can easily discover something about the gameplay that makes a game stick with them. So, here are some other core features of the slot experience to keep in mind:
- Megaways: The Megaways is a brand-new form of game mechanic which will push the potential paylines to over 100,000. Most slots online may brag that they have 243 or 1024 paylines, but the megaways really up the number!
- Cluster Pays: Although most games will pay based on predetermined patterns, there is the option to actually get payouts released by having groups of similar symbols. The cluster pays mechanic is not something that we will call a “bonus mechanic” per se, but it is still fun to be understood by players.
- Expanding Wilds: The expanding wilds will cover an entire reel of the slot and create opportunities for even more wins as you play!
- Pick and Click: Another popular feature is the pick and click – you choose a sector from a bonus game or the slot’s basic grid to trigger some effect. It’s pretty fun!
- Cascading Reels: What about the cascading reels? They are a very good example of how you can really get interesting payouts without committing more money. The reels basically work in this way – you get a winning combination, it disappears, more symbols drop in, and they may form yet another winning combination!
No End of the Bonus Features for Slots
This being said, there are tons of more features to try! Suppliers are vying for players’ attention and this often means thinking outside of the box and creating brand new experiences. Slot games will always come down to the features we have outlined above, but many are trying to transcend this and make sure that players are experiencing some of the very best slot bonus features – some seen before, others brand new!