Hypernova Megaways

Hypernova Megaways Casinos

Originally known as Chance Interactive, ReelPlay is an Australian slot developer from Sydney, founded in 2014. While it’s kept a relatively low profile with a modest portfolio so far, a few titles like Buster Hammer and Buster Hammer Carnival have built a bit of a reputation among casino enthusiasts. In 2018, ReelPlay became one of the studios to benefit from Relax Gaming’s Megaways licensing, opening up exciting possibilities with the wildly popular game engine. As expected, the Megaways model has brought solid attention to developers big and small, consistently creating a buzz with each new release.

Enter Hypernova Megaways, ReelPlay’s debut attempt at a Megaways slot. At first glance, it might seem like a Bonanza look-alike, but look closer, and you’ll see plenty of unique touches that set it apart.

Hypernova Megaways: How does it play?

With its classic Megaways setup of 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win, Hypernova Megaways uses cascading reels, meaning each winning combination disappears to make way for new symbols. Paying homage to the mysteries of the universe, the slot’s stakes range from €/$0.40 to €/$60 per spin, making it accessible across all devices.

Visuals & Atmosphere

Hypernova Megaways transports players to an awe-inspiring space setting, set against the backdrop of a fiery supernova. The visual design is slick and atmospheric, with neon lights illuminating the reels and a soundtrack that feels cinematic—almost as if Hans Zimmer himself had a hand in it. Symbols on the reels include familiar golden 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A royals as lower-value symbols, paired with gleaming gems that bring higher payouts. The diamond symbol is the most valuable, offering 10x your stake for landing six across a full payline.

Hypernova Megaways: Slot Features

Using the renowned Megaways engine from Big Time Gaming, Hypernova Megaways offers an exciting reel setup where each spin can display 2 to 7 symbols per reel. This variability allows for up to 117,649 ways to win at full capacity. There’s also an extra horizontal reel above the main grid, enhancing your chances of landing winning combinations—and this is the only area where wilds appear.

A familiar yet engaging feature is the Cascading Reels mechanic. Every winning combination triggers a “cascade,” where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones, creating the possibility for back-to-back wins from a single spin. It’s a staple of the Megaways format that adds a satisfying flow to the gameplay.

Jackpot Respin Feature

Departing from the usual free spins found in many Megaways games, ReelPlay has designed Hypernova Megaways around a thrilling Jackpot Respin feature instead. In the base game, you’ll want to watch for supernova scatter symbols, each showing a cash value. When 6 or more of these symbols appear on the reels, it triggers the Jackpot Respin feature, starting you off with 3 respins.

During this feature, all supernova scatter symbols lock in place, while the other reel positions respin. Each new scatter symbol that lands also locks in place, resetting the respin count back to 3. This process continues until you either fill all reel positions with scatter symbols or run out of respins. At the end of the feature, you’ll collect the cash values displayed on each scatter, ranging from 1x to 100x your stake, along with the chance to win one of four jackpot prizes:

• Platinum Jackpot: 2,000x your stake
• Gold Jackpot: 250x your stake
• Silver Jackpot: 50x your stake
• Bronze Jackpot: 10x your stake

Hypernova Megaways: Slot Verdict

It’s never fun to say, but we have to be honest—Hypernova Megaways left us a bit underwhelmed. While ReelPlay clearly has some skills in the visual department, the core gameplay feels too generic and blends in a little too easily with the crowd of Megaways slots out there. ReelPlay’s choice to include a Jackpot Respin feature instead of a free spins round was a bold attempt at mixing things up, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. In our view, the respin feature could have been a strong addition if it served as a side bonus game, allowing room for the classic Megaways free spins too. But hey, to each their own!

On the bright side, Hypernova Megaways offers some decent win potential, with maximum payouts reaching up to 8,640x your stake. Unfortunately, the journey to get there can feel a bit like staring out into the vast, empty cosmos—not a lot happening for stretches of time. For players who’ve been spoiled by some of the best Megaways titles, this one might fall short of expectations.

Still, Hypernova Megaways marks a big step forward for ReelPlay. Even if it didn’t completely capture our attention, it’s a solid showcase of what this small Australian developer is capable of and will surely help them gain recognition. There’s potential here, and we’re curious to see what they bring to the table next.