Gonzo's Quest Megaways slot

Gonzo's Quest Megaways slot: what Red Tiger changed

The original Gonzo's Quest is one of NetEnt's best-known games, built around the studio's Avalanche falling-symbol mechanic. Gonzo's Quest Megaways keeps the explorer, the stone-block symbols and the rising Avalanche multiplier, but moves the game onto a six-reel Megaways engine. Each reel shows between two and seven symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes from spin to spin.

The remake was built by Red Tiger, which NetEnt bought in September 2019. Both studios have been part of Evolution since December 2020, which is why a Red Tiger game can carry a NetEnt character.

Three things changed most: the maximum win jumped from 2,500× to 21,000× stake, the volatility rose from medium to medium–high, and a random Earthquake was added. The default RTP is slightly lower than the original's. Each of those changes is covered below.

Gonzo's Quest Megaways RTP, ways and max win

The specification also appears on OLBG's Gonzo's Quest Megaways page (opens in a new tab). The words “default version” matter: casinos can run other RTP settings, and the help screen shows which one you are playing.

How the features work in Gonzo's Quest Megaways

Wins here do not end the spin. Under the Avalanche system, symbols that form a win explode, and new symbols drop in from above to fill the gaps. If the new symbols make another win, the process repeats. Each consecutive win in the chain raises a multiplier, so the third or fourth win in a sequence pays more than the first. The chain ends when a drop produces no win.

Wild symbols behave differently from the rest. When a wild is part of a win, it stays put instead of exploding, so it can help with the next win in the chain too.

From time to time, a random Earthquake can strike and remove all the low-paying symbols. With only the higher-paying symbols left in play, the spin's prospects improve for that moment.

Free Fall is the bonus round. It starts when three or more Free Fall scatter symbols land, or two scatters plus a wild. You then play a set of free spins in which the Avalanche multiplier climbs faster than in the base game, so long chains are worth more. More scatters during the round can retrigger it for extra spins.

Our checked data does not list multiplier steps or spin counts, so they are not given here; the in-game paytable shows them. Buying entry to Free Fall is not available in Great Britain.

Megaways maths: from 64 to 117,649 ways

With six reels each showing two to seven symbols, the number of ways on a spin is the product of the six reel heights. The two extremes are easy to work out, and the table shows the cases where every reel has the same height.

Most spins land somewhere in between, with mixed reel heights; a spin showing 3, 5, 7, 4, 6 and 2 symbols gives 3 × 5 × 7 × 4 × 6 × 2 = 5,040 ways. A high ways count is not a better return in itself, because the RTP is fixed across all spins. It changes how wins are spread, not how much the game pays back. See our ways to win guide for more.

Gonzo's Quest, Megaways and Gonzo's Quest 2 compared

The family shows a clear trend: each step trades steadier play for a higher ceiling. The original suits players who want a medium-volatility game with modest top wins. The Megaways version offers more than eight times the original's cap with somewhat bigger swings, while Gonzo's Quest 2 goes further on volatility. The RTP gap between them is small: 95.97% against 95.77% is 20p per £100 staked on average.

Gonzo's Quest Megaways RTP in pounds: a £20 budget

A 95.77% RTP means an average cost of 4.23% of total stakes. For a £20 budget:

Medium–high volatility sits between steady games and the wildest releases. Avalanche chains give regular small returns, but the bigger results depend on long chains with a high multiplier or a strong Free Fall round. At 10p, the average cost per 100 spins is under 50p, which gives a feel for the game without much outlay. At £1, a run without a decent chain can use up £20 inside a few minutes. Our page on slot volatility explains why the same game can feel so different from one session to the next.

The 21,000× max win at UK stakes

The cap of 21,000 times stake translates to £2,100 at 10p, £21,000 at £1 and £105,000 at the £5 UK maximum for players aged 25 and over. For players aged 18 to 24, limited to £2 a spin, the ceiling is £42,000.

These are theoretical limits. They need a long Avalanche chain at a high multiplier, most likely in Free Fall, and almost all sessions end far below them. The cap tells you how stretched the payout range is, which is the practical meaning of medium–high volatility. Our guide on what a slot's max win means has more.

Avalanche and Megaways myths

• “A long chain means the next spin will be quiet.” Spins are independent; there is no balancing out. Our page on whether online slots have memory explains.
• “More ways means a higher RTP.” The RTP is the same whatever the reel heights.
• “An Earthquake is a sign Free Fall is coming.” Each event is random. The Earthquake removes low-paying symbols for that spin only.
• “The Megaways version pays better than the original.” It has a higher cap, but its default RTP is slightly lower. See our guide to slot myths.

How to play Gonzo's Quest Megaways

1. Sign in to a UKGC-licensed casino; age and identity checks must be completed before you play.
2. Open the game and confirm the RTP version and stake steps in the help screen.
3. Choose a stake within your budget and the UK limit (£5, or £2 if you are 18 to 24).
4. Spin. Winning symbols explode and new ones fall in; each win in a row raises the multiplier.
5. Land three Free Fall scatters, or two plus a wild, to start the free spins round.
6. Check your net spend on screen and stop at the limit you set.

UK rules on Gonzo's Quest Megaways

Since 9 April 2025, the most a player aged 25 or over can stake on an online slot is £5 a spin, and since 21 May 2025 the limit for players aged 18 to 24 is £2, according to the Gambling Commission's online slots stake limit guidance (opens in a new tab). Every spin takes at least 2.5 seconds, there is no autoplay, and turbo or slam-stop options are not allowed under the Commission's responsible product design rules (RTS 14) (opens in a new tab). In practice, Avalanche chains still play out in full on each spin. Our pages on slot stake limits and how fast a UK slot can spin cover the detail.

Where to play Gonzo's Quest Megaways and how our offers fit

Our partner offers are slot spin deals on Big Bass Bonanza or selected games, and Gonzo's Quest Megaways may not be one of them. Check each casino's game lobby. 18+ and terms apply.

New UK customers at PlayOJO (Northern Ireland excluded) get 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each with a first deposit of £10 or more; winnings are paid in cash with no wagering. At Coral, deposit and bet £10 or more on slots between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027 for 100 free spins at 10p on selected games; accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings. At Ladbrokes, play £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day over 10 days (500 maximum), each 10p on selected games, claimed by 23:59 each day and valid for 7 days, with no wagering.

Coral and Ladbrokes exclude PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe and prepaid card deposits from their offers, and both are run by LC International Limited, so one person may not be able to join both as a new customer. Read our Ladbrokes review or browse the slots hub.

18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.