Big Bad Bison Slot Review
Big Time Gaming’s Megaways portfolio continues to expand with Big Bad Bison, a Western-themed slot that channels the developer’s signature mechanic whilst introducing a Native American wildlife backdrop. Released in June 2023, the game carries BTG’s pedigree for high-volatility action, though it takes a notably different approach from the studio’s more celebrated releases. The 6×7 grid with up to 117,649 ways to win appeals to players seeking substantial payouts, but those expecting another Bonanza-calibre innovation may find themselves somewhat disappointed by the overall execution.
Base Game & Features
Big Bad Bison operates on a dynamic 6-reel, 7-row grid with the signature Megaways mechanic that generates between 64 and 117,649 ways to win depending on reel configuration. Each spin reconfigures the symbol counts across reels, creating natural variance in payline potential without requiring player input beyond stake selection. The minimum bet starts at £0.10 to £0.20 (depending on your casino operator), while the maximum reaches £10 per spin, accommodating both cautious explorers and aggressive bankroll players.
Wild Multipliers & Special Symbols
Wild symbols form the core base game mechanic, capable of replacing all symbols except scatters. What sets them apart is their integrated multiplier system—each wild can reveal random multipliers up to 5x, applying these values to any winning combinations they complete. This feature alone ensures base game spins carry genuine win potential, though it’s the only substantial modifier BTG delivers during standard play. The scatter symbol, meanwhile, exclusively triggers the bonus round without contributing to base game wins.
Win Exchange Feature
An intriguing but rarely-encountered feature, the Win Exchange allows players to trade wins of 50x bet or higher for an automatic 12 free spins grant. For wins between 25-50x, a gamble option appears, letting you either accept the current win or risk it for spins. In practice, this threshold sits awkwardly in Big Bad Bison’s volatility curve—substantial enough to matter, but not frequent enough to become a meaningful strategic element during testing sessions.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Free spins represent where Big Bad Bison’s design genuinely shines. Landing 3 or more scatter symbols across the reels triggers the bonus round, awarding a baseline of 12 free spins. Each additional scatter beyond the initial three grants 4 extra spins, creating meaningful incentive to land clustered scatters. During the free spins mode itself, retriggering becomes possible with just 2 or more scatters—a generous threshold that encourages extended bonus sessions. Our testing confirmed that retriggers occur with reasonable regularity, though they’re never guaranteed, maintaining the high-volatility experience even within the bonus feature.
Escalating Megaways System
The innovation lies in how Big Bad Bison escalates its win potential during free spins. On each retrigger within the bonus round, the ways-to-win counter climbs progressively. By the fifth retrigger, the game reaches its absolute ceiling: 117,649 ways to win across the 6×7 grid. Achieving this maximum requires genuine fortune and persistence—you’ll need multiple successful scatter landings in quick succession, which doesn’t happen frequently. However, when it does occur, the exponential increase in payline potential can deliver the game’s headline-grabbing maximum win of 67,640x stake.
Bonus Buy & Ante Bet
For players seeking immediate access to the free spins round, BTG offers a Bonus Buy option at a cost of 50x your current stake. This directly triggers the base 12 free spins without requiring scatter symbols. Important note for UK players: due to recent gambling regulations, the Bonus Buy feature is not available to players within the United Kingdom—a restriction that doesn’t apply to players in other jurisdictions.
Our Honest Verdict
Big Bad Bison presents a competent but ultimately unremarkable evolution of Big Time Gaming’s Megaways formula. The 96.58% RTP sits comfortably above industry standard, rewarding patient players with player-friendly maths over extended sessions. Free spins deliver the game’s true value—the retrigger system with escalating ways is genuinely innovative, and it’s here that gameplay momentum accelerates beyond the base game’s somewhat hollow feel. Yet that’s precisely the problem: something feels missing from base game engagement despite the multiplier wilds and win exchange feature being technically sound. Compared to BTG’s own Bonanza (2016) or Danger High Voltage, Big Bad Bison settles into an awkward middle ground—solid when bonus features trigger, underwhelming when they don’t.
The Western and Native American aesthetic doesn’t elevate the experience beyond functional. Reviewers consistently noted that graphic design feels dated for a 2023 release—the backdrop is uninspired, animal symbols lack sharp detail, and even the royal symbols recycle design elements from earlier BTG titles. The game functions perfectly well, but visual polish appears sacrificed to accommodate the technically demanding 117,649 ways system. For high-volatility enthusiasts with patience and budget for extended sessions, Big Bad Bison delivers compelling free spins action and respectable win potential. For casual or low-budget players, the feast-or-famine gameplay and £10 maximum bet prove less inviting. On a good day—when retriggers stack and multipliers align—the 67,640x max win justifies spinning alone.
Rating: 3.5/5
Big Bad Bison FAQs
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What is the RTP of Big Bad Bison?
The RTP of Big Bad Bison is 96.58%, which is above average for online slots and is considered player-friendly. This percentage represents the theoretical return to players over an extended period of play. -
What is the maximum win in Big Bad Bison?
The maximum win in Big Bad Bison is 67,640x your stake. The base game can deliver up to 30,395 times the bet, but the true potential emerges during the bonus round with escalating megaways, which unlocks winning combinations up to 117,649 ways. -
What is the volatility of Big Bad Bison?
Big Bad Bison is a highly volatile slot game with high variance. You can expect plenty of dead spins and smaller wins between significant payouts. Winnings do not occur as frequently, but tend to be substantial when they do—making it suitable for players with larger bankrolls and patience. -
How do you trigger free spins in Big Bad Bison?
Free spins are triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols, which awards 12 free spins. Each additional scatter awards 4 more spins. During free spins, 2 or more scatters can retrigger additional spins, allowing the bonus round to extend and accumulate additional ways to win. -
How many ways to win does Big Bad Bison have?
Big Bad Bison has up to 117,649 megaways with a 6×7 reel layout. The number of symbols on each reel changes on every spin, resulting in between 64 and 117,649 ways to win. The maximum is achieved on the fifth retrigger during free spins. -
What are the wild symbols in Big Bad Bison?
The wild symbol can replace all symbols except scatters and comes with multipliers up to 5x, which boosts your win when they are part of a winning combination. These multiplier wilds form the primary base game feature and are the main source of wins outside the bonus round. -
Can you buy the bonus in Big Bad Bison?
Yes, Big Bad Bison features a Bonus Buy option that allows you to purchase 12 free spins for 50 times your stake, allowing you to skip directly to the free spins feature. However, this feature is not available to UK players due to gambling regulations. -
What is the minimum and maximum bet in Big Bad Bison?
The minimum bet in Big Bad Bison ranges from £0.10 to £0.20 depending on your casino operator, and the maximum bet is £10 per spin. Players can adjust their stake using the left and right buttons to set their preferred bet amount.
