Theoretical return to player
96.5%
Minimum bet
0.01
Slot category
Video Slots
Variance level
Medium
Reels in play
6
Progressive jackpot
No
Popularity rating
Maximum bet
10.00
Game Provider
BluePrint Gaming
Bonus features
Yes
Paylines
117
Theme
Animals
Buffalo Rising Megaways online slot game
Evan Carrington’s Casino Ideal review presents Buffalo Rising Megaways as one of Blueprint Gaming’s higher-RTP games. Beginners may need time to get comfortable with its random Megaways layout, 6 reels and a 7th horizontal reel above the screen. Betting is straightforward, however, and the review suggests the slot becomes easier to enjoy once its layout is familiar.
Theme and Storyline
Set across the American plains, the game sends buffalo stampedes across the reels to deliver free spins. Other animals in the landscape can also help form winning combinations.
Graphics, sound and animations
There is plenty happening across the reels of Buffalo Rising Megaways, an online slot game whose presentation Blueprint Gaming handles effectively. The artwork is detailed and the animations work well, though the Buffalo Stampede could be more polished. Lively audio adds energy without becoming overwhelming.
One of the slot’s strongest points, besides the distinctive gameplay described below, is how well it adapts from desktop screens to smartphones with limited display space.
Top Casinos to Play Buffalo Rising Megaways:
Gameplay
The game has 6 reels and uses Megaways instead of traditional paylines. Reels 1 and 5 can each hold up to 5 symbols, while reels 2, 3 and 4 have 6 positions because an extra symbol holder sits above them, effectively creating a 7th reel.
Each spin randomly generates up to 117,649 Megaways. A display shows the number available on that spin. The total varies because one symbol can occupy multiple positions on a reel. This may make it easier for a symbol to join a winning combination, while also reducing the number of available Megaways combinations.
Choosing a stake is simple, but understanding how combinations connect and pay may take longer. The ‘i’ information panel lists all 10 regular symbols: Buffalo, bear, wolf, deer, A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9. Buffalo is the only symbol that pays for combinations of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6; the others form combinations of 3, 4, 5 and 6 symbols.
Each combination has a value shown on the paytable. To calculate a win, multiply that spin’s ‘BET’ by the displayed value. For example, 6 Buffalo symbols pay x50. With a ‘BET’ of 1.00 per spin, the 6 Buffalo symbols multiply your 1.00 ‘BET’ by 50, for a stated win of 50.00.
For a combination to connect, its first symbol must land on reel 1. The rest must continue from left to right across adjacent reels. For example, a 4-symbol Buffalo combination needs symbols on reels 1, 2, 3 and 4. Their vertical positions do not matter as long as the reels are adjacent and run left to right.
The Wild is another useful symbol. It appears as a gold buffalo marked ‘wild’.
Bonuses and free spins
This slot has several features to explore.
The Megaways system also powers a cascade feature. When symbols connect, the winning combination explodes, leaving gaps for new symbols to drop in. If the new symbols form another win, the cascade continues until no further combinations appear.
Buffalo Rising Megaways also includes a ‘Mystery Symbol’, depicting sunlit canyons like the scenery behind the reels. When it lands, it transforms into one of the other regular symbols.
Free spins are the final and potentially most valuable feature. Landing 4 or more diamond Scatter symbols triggers the bonus, after which you choose one of 4 free-spins rounds. The image below shows all 4 options. More free spins come with a smaller multiplier, while fewer spins offer a larger one. Each winning combination increases the multiplier, with no stated limit on the number that can be collected.
The ‘Buffalo Bet’ press-to-buy feature also offers direct entry to the free-spins game. It costs the same as a spin bet, and purchasing free spins adds an extra 0.51% RTP for that round.
Bet sizes, RTP and variance
Setting the spin stake is straightforward: use the up or down arrow to choose between 0.10/10.00 min/max spin bets. This is a medium-variance slot with more than one RTP setting. The main game’s RTP is 96.5%. Buying the bonus free spins through the ‘bonus bet’ raises the RTP to 97.01% for that round.
Conclusion
New slot players may need time to get to grips with Buffalo Rising Megaways. The ‘i’ information button and this review’s explanation can help clarify its mechanics. High rollers might find the 10.00 maximum bet per spin restrictive, while the review considers the limits suitable for most players. It also highlights the gameplay as among Blueprint’s best, pointing to random Megaways and the option to buy free spins rather than wait for the Scatter trigger.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
