Buffalo King Megaways vs Original Version: A Comprehensive Comparison

If you're an avid slots player in Australia, chances are you've encountered the popular Buffalo King slot. The game, with its thrilling Native American theme and compelling gameplay, has garnered a huge following since its release. Recently, the developers introduced a new take called Buffalo King Megaways, which has captivated fans by upping the ante with the innovative Megaways mechanic. But how does it compare to the original Buffalo King? This detailed article will break down all the key differences, pros, and cons, helping you decide which version suits your playing style better.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Buffalo King Slot
• What is Megaways?
• Buffalo King Original - Overview
• Buffalo King Megaways - Overview
• Visuals and Theming Comparison
• Gameplay and Features
• Betting Options and RTP
• Volatility and Payout Potential
• Bonus Rounds and Free Spins
• Mobile Experience
• Which Version Should Australian Players Choose?
• Final Thoughts

Introduction to Buffalo King Slot

The Buffalo King slot is a titanic favourite among Aussie online gamblers, especially those who appreciate wide-open wilderness themes complemented by engaging mechanics. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this game transports players to the vast plains of North America where buffalo roam free, promising both big visuals and big wins.

Originally, Buffalo King stood out for its simplicity paired with lucrative bonus opportunities. However, with the advent of Megaways slots reshaping the industry, developers infused this mechanic to create Buffalo King Megaways.

What is Megaways?

Before diving into the comparison, understanding Megaways is essential:

Megaways is a slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming that dramatically increases the number of ways to win on a given spin. Unlike traditional paylines, Megaways offers a variable number of symbols on each reel every spin, resulting in thousands or even hundreds of thousands of potential winning combinations.

For example, while the original Buffalo King has 4096 ways to win, the Megaways version can swamp that with up to 117,649 possible winning ways on any spin, which drastically multiplies excitement and the volatility of the game.

Buffalo King Original - Overview

The original Buffalo King slot is set on a 6-reel, 4-row grid with fixed paylines that give players 4,096 ways to win. It features rich Native American imagery including eagles, wolves, bears, and of course, the iconic buffalo.

Features:

• Fixed 4096 ways to win
• Multipliers and stack wild symbols
• Scatter-based free spins with potential for retriggering
• Night and day cycle that affects gameplay phases

The RTP is standard at 96.06%, offering solid returns, and the game boasts high volatility, meaning wins hit less often but tend to be significant when they do land.

Buffalo King Megaways - Overview

Buffalo King Megaways is an evolution of the original, crafted to capitalize on the hugely popular Megaways mechanic by Big Time Gaming. The grid now varies from 2 to 7 symbols high per reel—depending on the spin—across 6 reels.

Features:

• Up to 117,649 Megaways to win
• Cascading reels with multipliers that increase after each cascade
• Random bonuses (such as additional avalanche multipliers)
• Scatter symbol triggers free spins with increasing multipliers

This version generally carries a slightly lower RTP of approximately 96.50%, reflecting higher variance due to Megaways protocol.

Visuals and Theming Comparison

Both slots share a stunning thematic base, rooted in majestic wildlife and Native American culture with deep earthy colours.

• Original Buffalo King: Presents a more steady, classic layout with clear, detailed iconography of buffalos, turtles, and indigenous creatures against plains under open skies. Background music and ambience suits a calming wilderness adventure.

• Buffalo King Megaways: Uses the same talent pool of symbols but the animation is more dynamic, responding to cascading reels with energy. The graphics tighten focus on movement and explosion effects during cascades and bonuses, giving a more modern and electrified vibe.

Australian players who appreciate minimalism might prefer the traditional look of the original, while thrill-seekers leaning toward modern gaming aesthetics might opt for Megaways.

Gameplay and Features

Original Buffalo King:

• Fixed 4096 ways to achieve wins
• Stacked wild symbol expansions increase winning chance
• Chance for multipliers upon key symbols appearing
• Free spins initiated by scatters provide extra potential

Buffalo King Megaways:

• Variable symbol heights increase chances for multiple wins
• Cascading reels (avalanche mechanic) remove winning symbols and call in new ones
• Increasing multipliers with every cascading win—boost potential reward
• Bonus spins with increasing multipliers and flexible retriggers

While the Megaways version offers layers of excitement and depth through cascading and multipliers, the original keeps gameplay more straightforward and speedy, which some players favour.

Betting Options and RTP

Both slots cater to a wide betting range suitable for casual and high-stake Aussie players alike.

Betting Ranges:

• Original Buffalo King: Typically from AUD 0.20 up to AUD 125 per spin
• Buffalo King Megaways: Slightly wider betting window, usually AUD 0.10 to AUD 100 or more

RTP:

• Original: Approximately 96.06%
• Megaways: Slightly higher around 96.5%

The minimal RTP differences reflect the game balance between risk and potential reward. The flexibility during betting rounds benefits progressive Australian punters testing various bankroll allocations.

Volatility and Payout Potential

Both games fall into the high volatility category but deliver different experiences:

• Original Buffalo King: Offers frequent medium to substantial wins, with high maximum win capped at roughly 12,000x player's bet.
• Buffalo King Megaways: Uplifts the max win possibility since on any spin there is a shot at 117,649 winning ways, with Max payouts also often around the 12,000x mark but with chaotic potential due to multipliers growing with cascades.

The Megaways edition can endure longer losing sessions due to its intricacy but rewards successful spins with often more thrilling cascades and huge combo hits.

Bonus Rounds and Free Spins

Original Version:

• Triggered with 4 or more scatter symbols
• Awarded 8 free spins per trigger (€x can be added)
• Retriggerable during the feature

Megaways Version:

• Triggered with at least 4 scatters anywhere
• On free spins, increasing avalanche multipliers start at 1x and increase with consecutive cascades — unlimited growth
• Additional random multipliers and free spins can be awarded during the feature making the round very explosive and lucrative

Megaways free spins have spectacular win potential thanks to multiplier stacking and more ways to retrigger; however, some traditionalists may find the original’s feature fits seamlessly into straightforward gameplay.

Mobile Experience

Both slot versions are fully optimised for mobile play on Android and iOS devices. Pragmatic Play is known for robust design that looks as good on a smartphone or tablet as it does on desktop.

• Original Buffalo King: Runs smoothly, quick loads with clear UI
• Megaways Version: More hardware-intensive thanks to its dynamic reels and animations but still performs well on modern devices
• Audio and visual feedback adapted for small screens in both versions

Thanks to mobile optimisation, Aussie players on the move can enjoy either game from anywhere, whether commuting or relaxing at home.

Which Version Should Australian Players Choose?

Choosing between Buffalo King Megaways and the original largely boils down to your personal preferences as a punter.

• Prefer fast-paced and straightforward slots? The original’s fixed way structure and classic features offer a smoother, less complex experience.
• Love high volatility, dynamic gameplay, and more ways to win? The Megaways edition delivers elevated excitement with a significantly increased number of paylines and cascading multipliers.
• Are you a high roller or high volatility fan? You’ll likely enjoy Megaways more because it offers the potential for bigger, more frequent thrilling combinations.
• On the other hand, if you crave consistent play and straightforward win chances, stick with the original Buffalo King slot.

Both games are excellent choices—in fact, some Aussie players like to alternate between the two for variety.

Final Thoughts

Buffalo King and Buffalo King Megaways both showcase Pragmatic Play’s talent for fusing rich themes with distinct gaming mechanics. While the original denomination remains popular due to its balanced and engaging style, the Megaways iteration energises gameplay with massive cascade multiplicators and significantly higher potential wins.

By understanding the subtle but impactful differences from visuals and pay mechanics to features and volatility, you can make a fully informed decision before spinning the reels at your favourite Australian online casino. Whether it’s the classic picturesque plains with the original or the wild, cascading storms of luck with Megaways, Buffalo King offers an unforgettable gaming safari designed to thrill and reward.

Ready to explore? Head to trusted Aussie online casinos and try both versions to see which Buffalo King reigns supreme in your gameplay experience!