Slots Like Starz Megaways | High-Volatility Megaways Alternatives, RTP & Verdict
Starz Megaways is Pragmatic Play’s cosmic take on the Megaways format, a 6-reel, 2-to-7-row grid using Big Time Gaming’s engine for up to 117,649 ways to win, with expanding star wilds that lock in place during the free spins. It returns 96.48%, plays at high volatility, tops out at 10,000x stake and is available to play free or for real money at UK casinos. Notably, it drops the cascading reels most Megaways games rely on.
Where to Play
Play Starz Megaways at these top casinos.
+ 100 Free Spins
Bonus TermsT&C's apply. 18+.
up to £10,000
Bonus TermsT&C's apply. 18+.
+ 200 Free Spins
Bonus TermsT&C's apply. 18+.
+ 200 Free Spins
Bonus TermsT&C's apply. 18+.
Pros and Cons
Reviewed by Paul StonePublished: October 2018
Pros
- The 96.48% default RTP sits comfortably above the 96% average, so the long-run maths is kinder than a lot of rival Megaways slots, provided you check which version your casino is running.
- Wins pay both ways, left-to-right and right-to-left across adjacent reels, which lands more combinations per spin than a standard one-direction Megaways title.
- The expanding star wilds become sticky for the whole free-spins round, so a single well-placed wild can keep paying spin after spin and is the route to the 10,000x ceiling.
- The free spins trigger noticeably more often than the high volatility would suggest, so you spend less of the session grinding toward the only feature that really matters.
Cons
- There are no cascading reels, the mechanic most players associate with Megaways, so wins do not chain, and the game can feel flat between features.
- The base symbols are all low value (the top gem pays just 2x), so meaningful money only really comes from the bonus and the wilds.
- High volatility means long, cold runs are normal; the 10,000x max is modest for the risk compared with Megaways slots that reach 20,000x or more.
- Beyond the space dressing there is little to set it apart, it is a deliberately simple, no-frills Megaways game.
How the Game Works
Starz Megaways runs on six reels, each showing between two and seven symbols on any given spin. That variable height is what flexes the ways to win from a low of 324 up to the full 117,649. There are no fixed paylines; instead you match three or more identical symbols on adjacent reels, and because wins are counted in both directions, a winning cluster can build from either the left or the right edge.
The one thing Pragmatic Play left out is the cascade. Most Megaways games remove winning symbols and drop new ones in for chained wins, but here each spin stands alone. The trade-off is a simpler, faster game whose excitement is concentrated in the wilds and the free-spins round rather than in tumbling reels.
Symbols and Paytable
The paytable is led by coloured gem symbols, with card-royal icons (A, K, Q, J) filling the lower tiers, all of them pay relatively little, with the best base symbol returning around 2x for a full line. The red-and-yellow bursting star is the wild and appears on the four central reels; the bonus symbol is the scatter that opens the free spins. The real value sits in the wilds, not the standard pays.
Expanding Star Wilds and Free Spins
The wild is a red-and-yellow bursting star that lands on reels two, three, four and five, and when it appears it expands to cover the whole reel. In the base game that can fill a column and stretch a win across the grid. Land enough scatter symbols and you launch the free-spins round, which awards a generous batch of spins for a high-volatility game and can be retriggered. Crucially, any wild that lands during the feature expands and then sticks in place for the rest of the round, so the screen gradually fills with locked wild reels, the more you collect, the bigger every remaining spin pays, and that build-up is exactly how the 10,000x top win is reached.
No Cascades, Both-Ways Pays
It is worth dwelling on what Starz Megaways deliberately leaves out. Without cascading reels the game cannot chain wins the way Bonanza or Extra Chilli do, and there are no win multipliers building through a bonus either. Pragmatic Play’s answer is the both-ways pay system, which roughly doubles the chances of any single spin connecting. It is a simpler design philosophy, and whether you like it depends on whether you value the tumbling-reel drama or prefer a cleaner, quicker Megaways spin.
Demo Play, Try It Free
Similar Slots Worth a Spin
If you like Starz Megaways, the closest games similar to it lean on the same space-and-stars styling or the high-variance Megaways feel: Starburst for the iconic expanding wilds, Starmania for a gentler high-RTP take, Star Clusters for a cluster-pays cosmic spin, and Starbars for another budget-friendly star slot.
Starbars
A simpler space slot from 1×2 Gaming on a 5-reel, 9-line frame with a 96.50% RTP and medium volatility. It keeps the star imagery and adds free spins with increasing multipliers, making it a calmer, cheaper alternative if Starz Megaways feels too swingy.
Starmania
NextGen’s 2015 classic is the low-volatility opposite of Starz Megaways: a 5-reel, 10-line game with an exceptional 97.68% RTP and frequent small wins. If you love the neon-space look but want a steadier, longer-lasting session, this is the obvious swap.
Star Clusters
From Big Time Gaming, the studio behind the Megaways engine itself, this cluster-pays release uses an 8×8 grid and a 96.54% RTP. It swaps ways-to-win for grid clusters, so it is a star-themed change of pace rather than a like-for-like match.
Starburst
NetEnt’s 2012 evergreen is the most famous star slot of all, a low-volatility, 10-line game built on expanding wilds that pay both ways, much like Starz Megaways. The 96.09% RTP and gentle variance make it the friendliest entry point to the cosmic theme.
What Makes This Slot Tick
Stars and space have always been a great inspiration to software developers. There are now hundreds of slots with star and space themes and more often than not, players will always come across them. This is usually accompanied by loads of other sparkling gems and the color purple-black to complete the look. Other symbols and features layers come across on these kinds of slots include diamonds, the earth, and other planets. Apart from Starz Megaways of Pragmatic Play, there are many other slots from different providers with the same theme. Some of them are Power Stars, All Star Knockout, Mystery Star, and Wish Upon A Star.At heart this is a stars-and-gems slot, but the theme is light dressing over the maths. The real character comes from the Megaways ways-to-win and the sticky expanding wilds rather than the cosmic backdrop. If you are drawn to games similar to Starz Megaways for the space look, plenty of star-themed slots share the motif, but few pair it with both-ways pays and a 117,649-way engine.
Star slots you might enjoy
Starz Megaways sits among the cosmic, star-themed slots where glittering gems and deep-space backdrops set the scene. Other strong picks in the theme include Starmania, Blazing Star, Rio Stars and Super Star Turns.
More Pragmatic Play Slots to Explore
Starz Megaways is a Pragmatic Play title. Founded in 2015 and based in Malta, Pragmatic Play has grown into one of the largest content suppliers in online gambling, releasing new slots almost weekly and reaching UK players through UK Gambling Commission-licensed operators. It is best known for high-volatility hits such as The Dog House, Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza.
Starz Megaways was Pragmatic Play’s second slot to license Big Time Gaming’s Megaways engine. If you enjoy the studio’s style, these other Pragmatic Play games are worth a spin: 7 Piggies, Egyptian Fortunes, Fire Strike and Caishen’s Cash.
Where to Play
Video Slots
Videoslots carries Starz Megaways inside one of the largest game libraries online, with smooth performance on desktop and mobile and a well-sorted lobby that makes Pragmatic Play titles easy to find. A strong live-casino section rounds out the offering.
Casino Friday
Casino Friday lists Starz Megaways and supports a wide range of banking options including Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill and Paysafecard. E-wallet withdrawals are typically fast, with other methods taking a little longer, useful if quick cashouts matter to you.
Argo Casino
Argo Casino pairs its slots library, Starz Megaways included, with a rotating set of promotions and a 100% welcome bonus up to €500. As always, check the wagering terms before opting in, as welcome offers rarely count on this specific title.
Pin-Up
Pin-Up runs Starz Megaways well on both desktop and its mobile app, with a varied bonus selection and a solid live-casino section. Payouts can take a little longer thanks to extra verification checks, so factor that in if speed is a priority.
Party Casino
Party Casino is a long-established operator carrying Starz Megaways alongside a broad slots and live-casino range, backed by 24/7 support over live chat, email and social channels plus a self-help FAQ. A dependable, well-known home for the slot.
Starz Megaways, Key Stats
Here are the verified key stats for Starz Megaways.
| Starz Megaways Slot Info | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Starz Megaways |
| Provider: | Pragmatic Play (Malta-based studio, founded 2015) |
| Developer Rank: | 11 out of 110+ Pragmatic Play games |
| RTP: | 96.48% default (lower 95.53% / 94.54% configurations run at some operators, check before playing) |
| RTP Category: | Above Average |
| RTP Rank: | 821 out of all games |
| Feature Description: | Expanding Symbols, Free Spins, Mega Ways, Multiways, Scatter, Sticky Wild, Wild |
| Feature Categories: | Free Spins, Expanding Wilds, Collossal Symbols, Sticky Wilds, Megaways Feature |
| Reels: | 6 |
| Rows: | 2 to 7 (variable) |
| Paylines: | Up to 117,649 ways to win (variable, from a base of 324) |
| Volatility: | High Volatility (5/5 on the in-game meter) |
| Volatility Rank: | 38 out of all games |
| Min Bet: | £0.20 |
| Max Bet: | £100.00 |
| Max Win: | 10,000x stake (achievable in the base game or free spins) |
| Slotslike Rank: | 105 out of 4,200+ games View Top 100 |
Starz Megaways slot information last reviewed: May 2026
Game Screenshot
Games With the Same Features
Starz Megaways combines expanding star wilds, sticky wilds during the bonus, free spins and the 117,649-way Megaways engine. Here are other slots that share each of those mechanics.
Slots with Free Spins
The top matching slots with Free Spins are Wonder Of Ages Jackpot, Reel King Megaways, Dork The Dragon Slayer and Fruit Bonanza.
Slots With Expanding Wilds
The top matching slots with Expanding Wilds are Rio Fever and The Incredible Hulk.
Slots With Colossal Symbols
The best matching slots with Collossal Symbols are Rio Fever and The Incredible Hulk.
Slots with Sticky Wilds
The best matching slots with Sticky Wilds are Trolls Bridge and Afterlife Inferno.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP and is it variable?
The default return to player is 96.48%, which is above the 96% average. Be aware that some operators run lower 95.53% or 94.54% builds, so it is worth checking the paytable before you play.
What is the maximum win?
The most you can win is 10,000x your total stake, and it can land in either the base game or the free-spins round. Reaching it relies on the sticky expanding wilds filling the reels during the bonus.
How do you trigger the free spins?
Land enough bonus scatter symbols to start the free-spins round. It awards a healthy batch of spins for a high-volatility game and can be retriggered, and any wild that lands expands and then sticks for the rest of the feature.
Does it have cascading reels?
No. Unlike most Megaways slots, Starz Megaways has no tumbling or cascading reels, so wins do not chain within a spin. Pragmatic Play offsets this with a both-ways pay system that counts wins from the left and the right.
Who is the developer?
Starz Megaways is made by Pragmatic Play, a Malta-based studio founded in 2015 that is now one of the biggest slot suppliers in the industry, with its games offered through UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos.
What are the best slots like Starz Megaways?
For slots like Starz Megaways, Starburst shares the expanding both-ways wilds in a gentler package, while Starmania offers the same cosmic theme at a much higher RTP. If it is the Megaways engine you want, Pragmatic Play’s own Megaways range and other 117,649-way titles are the closest fit.
Can I play it for free?
Yes. You can try the Starz Megaways demo for free here on SlotsLike with no download or registration, which is the sensible way to get a feel for the high volatility before committing real money at a licensed casino.
Our Verdict on Starz Megaways
Starz Megaways is a clean, no-frills Megaways slot for players who want the cosmic theme and the big-ways maths without the complexity of cascades or escalating multipliers. The above-average 96.48% RTP, both-ways pays and sticky expanding wilds are its strengths; the lack of tumbling reels, the low-value base symbols and a fairly modest 10,000x ceiling for a high-volatility game are what hold it back. If you like slots like Starz Megaways but want more drama, cascade-driven Megaways titles deliver it, while Starburst and Starmania offer the same starry look at lower variance. Played within a sensible budget it is an easy, good-looking spin. 18+ only; please gamble responsibly.
SlotsLike rating: 6/10