After testing 5 Lions Megaways through several hundred spins, the moment that defined the experience for us came in the base game — not the bonus. A lion wild landed mid-cascade carrying a 30x multiplier, turning what looked like a modest tumble chain into one of our better payouts of the session. That’s rare for a Megaways slot, where base game action usually just fills time between bonus rounds. This one is different, and it’s one of the most personality-driven Megaways games in Pragmatic Play’s catalog because of it.
Released in June 2021, this Asian-themed slot delivers up to 200,704 ways to win across six reels with a 96.50% RTP and high volatility. A quick note: this is not the sequel (5 Lions Megaways 2), which pushes multipliers to 100x and the cap to 8,000x. The original plays differently, and it’s worth evaluating on its own terms.
Theme and Design
The visual package draws heavily from East Asian mythology — golden trim, red and gold palettes, and a cast of mythical creatures filling the reels. The dragon pays the highest among regular symbols, followed by a phoenix, frog, koi fish, and turtle. Card ranks from 10 through Ace handle the lower end, styled with an oriental flourish. The lion itself serves as the wild, standing out with a distinct golden glow that makes it instantly recognizable when it lands. A soundtrack blending traditional Asian instruments with an upbeat arcade rhythm keeps sessions moving without becoming repetitive.
How Wild Multipliers and Free Spins Work
The standout feature is the lion wild’s multiplier, which is active during every phase of the game. When a wild lands on reels 2 through 5 and contributes to a winning combination, it applies a random multiplier — anywhere from 2x up to 40x. Combined with the tumble mechanic, which removes winning symbols and drops new ones in from above, this creates chain reactions where multiple multiplied wins can stack within a single paid spin. Reviewing our bankroll guide before playing is worthwhile, because these swings can be significant in both directions.
Landing three or more yin-yang scatter symbols triggers the free spins round, where things get strategic. Players choose from seven options, each balancing spin count against multiplier range:
- 25 spins with wilds multiplying at 2x, 3x, or 5x
- 20 spins at 3x, 5x, or 8x
- 15 spins at 5x, 8x, or 10x
- 13 spins at 8x, 10x, or 15x
- 10 spins at 10x, 15x, or 30x
- 6 spins at 15x, 30x, or 40x
- Mystery: random combination of spins and multiplier range
Landing three or more scatters during the bonus round retriggers the same option you selected. This makes the choice feel consequential — higher multiplier options are more volatile but can deliver the game’s strongest single hits.
Strategy Tips for This Slot
The free spins selection is where your approach matters most. The middle options — 13 or 15 spins — offer a balanced profile, pairing reasonable multiplier ceilings (10x-15x) with enough spins to benefit from retriggers. The 6-spin option at 40x sounds dramatic, but six spins rarely gives enough runway for cascades to build, and without retriggers it can end quickly. The 25-spin option plays safer but caps multipliers at 5x, which limits upside.
The Ante Bet feature adds 25% to your wager and doubles the probability of triggering free spins. At $0.20, that’s only $0.05 extra per spin — a small premium for significantly faster bonus access. The RTP stays at 96.50% either way. The bonus buy at 100x your bet provides instant entry. Neither changes the math, only the pace. Visit our responsible gambling page to set clear loss limits before any session, especially with high-volatility games where variance can extend dry spells.
Our Verdict
5 Lions Megaways earns its place in Pragmatic Play‘s lineup by doing something most Megaways slots don’t — making the base game genuinely exciting. Wild multipliers up to 40x on every winning spin mean you don’t have to wait for a bonus round to see meaningful returns. The seven-option free spins selection adds a strategic layer that rewards players who think about risk versus reward rather than just hitting spin.
This game suits players who enjoy having control over their bonus rounds and who appreciate multiplier-driven volatility. If you prefer consistent, low-variance payouts, the high volatility here will feel frustrating. But for those willing to ride the swings, the 5,000x max win and engaging cascade mechanics make this a slot worth returning to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ante Bet worth the extra cost?
At just 25% more per spin, the Ante Bet doubles your chances of triggering free spins while maintaining the same 96.50% RTP. If your focus is reaching the bonus round faster, the small extra cost per spin is a reasonable trade-off — though it does increase your hourly spend, so factor that into your session budget.
What happens if a wild with a 40x multiplier lands during a tumble chain?
The multiplier applies to that specific winning combination, then the tumble continues. If another wild lands in the next cascade, its own multiplier applies separately. This means a single paid spin can produce several multiplied wins in sequence, which is how the game’s biggest payouts tend to occur.
How does 5 Lions Megaways compare to the sequel, 5 Lions Megaways 2?
The sequel increases wild multipliers to 100x and raises the max win to 8,000x, but narrows some of the original’s free spins flexibility. The original’s seven-option selection gives more control over your bonus round profile. Both share the same theme, but they offer different risk-reward experiences. With an RTP of 96.50%, the original ranks among top-paying slot games in the category.
