Joker Megaways: Overview

The team responsible for Joker Megaways is the UK-based developer Games Inc, something of an under-the-radar name in the slot world. Even though the studio was founded in 2012, it hasn’t produced much so far, with a sparse back catalogue and a website that still appears to be in progress. What is clear, however, is that they’ve recently partnered with Relax Gaming—and that collaboration brings two clear advantages.

First, it gives them access to Relax Gaming’s platform and, crucially, the Megaways license. Second, it seems to have provided the push they needed to get moving. As a result, the British studio now has a couple of ambitious releases on the horizon, with the Vegas-inspired Joker Megaways being the first to roll out.

Initial impressions might raise eyebrows at combining Megaways with a genre that can feel a bit restrictive, although it has been attempted before in Super Wild Megaways by Stakelogic. Still, fruit-themed slots remain highly popular in the UK, which Games Inc may be aiming to capitalise on. Another oddity is that the engine is usually associated with large reel layouts, while Joker Megaways runs on just 3 reels. Each reel can display 2-8 symbols per spin, but that naturally limits the Megaways potential. Win ways range from 8 up to a relatively small maximum of 512 when all 3 reels show the maximum number of symbols.

Games Inc also caters to a broad range of budgets. Smaller stakes start at just 10 p/c, while bigger spenders can push it up to $/€100 per spin. The RTP sits comfortably above average at 96.56%, and the game uses a highly volatile math model. Put simply, much of the upside is concentrated in the free spins round. The upside for players is that Joker Megawats may also be available with a Buy Bonus option to jump straight into the feature.

One more unexpected design choice is the removal of cascades. When you land a win—whether in the base game or the bonus—it pays and the spin ends. It can feel unusual at first, because the Megaways format often comes with symbol drops and tumbles. Over time, though, the absence becomes less noticeable thanks to the fast rhythm and straightforward nature of the classic 3×3 style.

The paytable is built around a familiar fruit mix, including cherries, lemons, plums, grapes, and watermelons. Above those sit bells and stars as the higher-paying symbols. Only 3-of-a-kind wins are possible, paying from 0.2x the stake at the low end up to 5 times your stake for three stars. There’s no wild in the base game, but one appears in the bonus round—where the slot really comes alive and its full potential can show itself.

Joker Megaways: Features

In the base game, the only added extra is a 50/50 Gamble feature that becomes available after a win. Players can either take the payout or choose between the red heart button and the blue spade button. A correct pick doubles the win, while an incorrect choice loses it entirely. You can keep gambling up to 8 times, or until reaching wins of 500 times the total bet. One important detail is that the gamble feature is not available when auto-spins are enabled.

The key symbol to look for is the joker tile. When 3 land together on reels 1, 2, and 3, they trigger 10 Free Spins. In free spins, the joker becomes a wild and can replace any other symbol. The feature also includes a progressive multiplier that begins at 1x and increases by +1 for every joker symbol that land. If jokers land again on reels 1, 2, and 3, they award a further 10 free spins and also boost the multiplier.

The last feature, available to non-UK based gamers, is the Bonus Buy option. By paying 100 times your stake, you’re guaranteed 3 jokers on the next spin, which immediately activates the free spins round.

Joker Megaways: Verdict

As it turns out, Joker Megaways exceeded expectations—especially since those expectations were fairly modest going in. There was some hesitation about trying yet another Vegas-style title, along with doubts about what a reduced Megaways format could really offer. The biggest question mark was the choice to remove cascades, a core mechanic in almost every other Megaways slot. As a result, the base game can feel like a straightforward fruit machine, just with changing reel heights and shifting win ways.

But then the bonus round arrives, and Joker Megaways suddenly becomes far more engaging. With cascades removed, it was interesting to see how the unlimited win multiplier would play out, and the game delivers by throwing up plenty of joker symbols to compensate. If the multiplier keeps climbing at a steady pace, the feature can become genuinely exciting. Just how far can it go? The potential is strong, and Games Inc says wins of up to 10,000 times your stake can happen.

Sure, did anyone truly need another Vegas/fruit slot? Probably not—but every studio has to begin somewhere. It may have taken Games Inc some time to get going, yet Joker Megaways is a respectable first statement. The overall presentation is solid, with good visuals and smooth animations that flow neatly into the main features.

Joker Megaways isn’t a standard fruit slot, and it’s not a typical Megaways game either. Instead, it blends elements from both styles into something that’s surprisingly fun. With a bonus round that offers real promise, anyone looking for a fruit salad with a little extra punch may find Joker Megaways worth a spin.