After spending time with Dazzle Me Megaways, what stayed with us was the way free spins build momentum. Unlike most Megaways slots where multipliers simply tick upward, this NetEnt sequel uses a Wild Counter system that progressively fills entire reels with wilds — and those wilds stick around. It creates a snowball effect that makes the final spins of a bonus round dramatically more powerful than the first.
Released in May 2021, this is the Megaways rework of NetEnt’s popular 2015 original. It delivers up to 99,225 ways to win across a 6-reel grid and sits comfortably among best payout games with a 96.10% default RTP. If you are exploring the broader Megaways lineup on our site, this one is worth a closer look for its inventive approach to wild mechanics.
Theme and Design
The gemstone theme carries over from the original, but everything has been polished up. Six reels sit against a deep blue backdrop filled with sparkles and light effects, giving the game an elegant, almost jewel-box feel. Low-pay symbols are six brightly colored gems, while the premiums — four-leaf clovers, hearts, bells, and lucky sevens — lean into classic slot iconography. The wild is a glittering diamond on a blue background, and the scatter is a bar symbol marked “Free Spins.” The soundtrack blends upbeat electronic beats with shimmering sound effects that accent wins and cascades without wearing thin over long sessions. As a modern video slot, the presentation is clean and responsive on both desktop and mobile.
How Dazzling Wild Reels and the Wild Counter Work
Every winning combination triggers the Avalanche feature: winning symbols vanish and new ones tumble in from above. Avalanches continue as long as new wins form, chaining payouts from a single spin.
The signature mechanic is Dazzling Wild Reels. On any base game spin, up to three reels from reels 2 through 6 can randomly turn fully wild. In the base game, wilds appear on the initial spin only — during subsequent avalanches, regular symbols can land on those reels. If you want to understand how cascading systems like this function across different games, our beginner’s guide covers the fundamentals.
Free spins are triggered by landing four or more scatter symbols, awarding eight spins plus four more for each additional scatter. During the bonus, at least one Dazzling Wild Reel is guaranteed on every spin — and the wild behavior changes significantly. Wilds on Dazzling Reels now persist through avalanches instead of disappearing, and a Wild Counter tracks each reel independently. The counter starts at two for every reel and increases by one each time wilds on that reel contribute to a winning combination. The maximum counter reaches five on reel 2, seven on reels 3 and 4, and nine on reels 5 and 6. As the counter climbs, more wilds populate that reel on every subsequent spin, making late-round hits far more likely and more valuable. You can find more titles that use this cascading-plus-wild approach in our slots collection.
Dazzle Me Megaways Strategy Tips
There is no bonus buy option in Dazzle Me Megaways, so reaching free spins requires patience. The hit frequency sits around 23.6%, meaning roughly one in three spins produces some kind of win, but scatter combinations are considerably rarer. Budget accordingly — a bankroll of at least 150 to 200 times your bet gives you a reasonable runway to reach the bonus naturally.
One practical tip: always check the RTP version before committing to a casino. NetEnt offers this game at multiple RTP settings, and the lowest version drops to 91.06% — a meaningful difference from the 96.10% default. The paytable in-game will confirm which version you are playing. Consider testing the mechanics in our free games page before wagering real money. As always, set firm limits on time and spend, and consult our gambling safety guide if you need support.
Our Verdict
Dazzle Me Megaways is a thoughtful sequel that improves on the original in nearly every dimension. The Wild Counter system during free spins is genuinely creative — it gives the bonus round an arc of escalating tension that most Megaways slots lack. The 20,000x maximum win is respectable, and medium-high volatility keeps sessions engaging without the brutal swings of ultra-high variance titles.
The downsides are worth noting. No bonus buy means impatient players may find the grind to free spins frustrating. The variable RTP is a concern — landing on a 91% version fundamentally changes the game’s value proposition. And while the gemstone theme is polished, it does not break new ground visually. Still, for players who appreciate smart mechanics over flashy gimmicks, this is one of NetEnt’s stronger Megaways entries. Keep our bankroll guide handy when playing high-variance titles like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dazzle Me Megaways a good upgrade over the original Dazzle Me?
It is a significant upgrade. The original had a maximum win of 760x with low volatility and Linked Reels. The Megaways version pushes that to 20,000x with 99,225 ways to win, replaces Linked Reels with the progressive Wild Counter system, and adds avalanche cascades. The trade-off is higher volatility and a slightly lower RTP (96.10% vs. 96.90%).
What happens when the Wild Counter reaches its maximum?
The counter caps at 5 wilds for reel 2, 7 for reels 3-4, and 9 for reels 5-6. Once a reel hits its maximum, it delivers that many wilds on every Dazzling Wild Reel activation for the remainder of free spins. A fully maxed reel is essentially guaranteed to contribute to wins on most cascades, making the final spins of a long bonus round extremely powerful.
Which players will enjoy Dazzle Me Megaways the most?
This game is a strong fit for mid-to-experienced players who enjoy progressive bonus mechanics and are willing to invest in longer sessions without a bonus buy shortcut. If you prefer guaranteed bonus access or lower variance, explore our full review library for alternatives that better match your style.
