Theoretical return to player
96.5%
Minimum bet size
0.01
Slot category
Video Slots
Variance level
Medium
Reels in play
6
Progressive jackpot
No
Popularity rating
Maximum bet size
10.00
Game provider
BluePrint Gaming
Bonus features
Yes
Paylines
117
Theme
Animals
Buffalo Rising Megaways online slot game
In Evan Carrington’s GCCans review, Buffalo Rising Megaways is presented as one of Blueprint Gaming’s higher-RTP games. It may not suit beginners straight away: the random Megaways layout, 6 reels and a 7th horizontal reel above the screen can initially be confusing. Betting is simple, however, and the review suggests that learning the layout makes the slot easier to enjoy.
Theme and storyline
Set across the American plains, the game sends buffalo stampedes across the reels to deliver free spins. Other animals sharing this landscape can also assist in creating winning combinations.
Graphics, sounds and animations
There is plenty happening across the reels of the Buffalo Rising Megaways online slot game, yet Blueprint Gaming has handled the presentation effectively. The artwork is detailed, the animations work well—although the Buffalo Stampede might have benefited from more polish—and the lively audio stays short of being overwhelming.
One of the slot’s strongest achievements, apart from the distinctive gameplay explained below, is how comfortably it translates 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 rather than traditional pay lines. Reels 1 and 5 can each hold up to 5 symbols, while reels 2, 3 and 4 provide 6 positions because an additional symbol holder sits above the reel, effectively creating a 7th reel.
Every spin generates a random number of Megaways, up to 117,649. A Megaways display shows how many ways are available on that particular spin. The total changes because one symbol can occupy several positions on a reel. That can make it easier for the symbol to join a winning combination, while also reducing the number of available Megaways combinations.
Choosing a stake is straightforward, but the way combinations connect and pay may take longer to understand. 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 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6-symbol combinations; the remaining symbols form combinations of 3, 4, 5 and 6 symbols.
Each combination has a value on the paytable. To calculate the win, multiply the ‘BET’ for that spin by the displayed value. For example, 6 Buffalo symbols pay x50. With a ‘BET’ of 1.00 per spin, 6 Buffalo symbols mean that your 1.00 ‘BET’ is multiplied by 50, producing a stated win of 50.00.
For symbols to connect, the first one must appear on reel 1. The rest of the combination then has to continue from left to right across adjacent reels. A 4-symbol Buffalo combination, for instance, requires symbols on reel 1, reel 2, reel 3 and reel 4. Their vertical positions do not matter provided the reels are adjacent and run from left to right.
The wildcard is another helpful symbol. It appears as a gold buffalo marked with the word ‘wild’.
Bonuses and free spins
This slot includes several features to explore.
The Megaways system described above also feeds into a reaction feature. Once symbols connect, the winning combination explodes in a cascading-reels sequence, leaving gaps for fresh symbols to drop into place. If those new symbols create another winning combination, the cascade continues until no further connections are made.
The Buffalo Megaways video slot also includes a ‘Mystery Symbol’. It depicts sunlit canyons that resemble the scenery behind the reels. When this ‘Mystery Symbol’ lands, it changes into one of the other regular symbols.
Free spins provide the final and potentially most valuable feature. Landing 4 or more diamond scatter symbols triggers the bonus, after which you choose a free-spins round from 4 options. There are 4 options shown in the image below. Choosing more free spins gives a smaller multiplier, while selecting fewer gives a larger one. Every winning combination raises the multiplier, and the number of multipliers that can be collected has no stated limit.
The ‘Buffalo Bet’ press-to-buy feature also lets you enter the free-spins game directly. 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 uncomplicated: 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’ changes the RTP to 97.01% for that round.
Conclusion
Players new to slots may need time to understand Buffalo Rising Megaways. The ‘i’ information button and this review’s explanation can help clarify the mechanics. High rollers might find the 10.00 maximum bet per spin restrictive, whereas the review considers the limits suitable for most slot players. It also describes the gameplay as among Blueprint’s strongest, highlighting the random Megaways and the option to buy free spins instead of waiting for the scatter trigger.
With 12+ years of experience in the iGaming industry, Evan specializes in reviewing online casinos, analyzing slot games, and evaluating player safety. Their expertise covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus conditions, and withdrawal policies. Through hands-on testing and independent research, Evan delivers transparent, fact-based reviews to help players better understand gambling platforms, their features, and potential risks.
