By duozhandian 
Of course! “Bonus slot games” is a huge and exciting category in online casinos. It refers to slots where the **bonus round or feature is the main attraction**, often offering the biggest wins and most engaging gameplay.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know:
### What Makes a Game a “Bonus Slot”?
These are slots designed with a primary focus on innovative, frequent, or highly lucrative bonus features. They go beyond the standard free spins round.
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### Popular Types of Bonus Features
1. **Free Spins:** The classic, but often with twists:
* **Picking Bonuses:** Choose symbols to reveal the number of spins and multipliers (e.g., *Book of Dead*, *Gonzo’s Quest*).
* **Increasing Multipliers:** Multipliers that grow with each win (e.g., *Dead or Alive 2*).
* **Special Expanding or Sticky Symbols** during the round.
2. **”Pick Me” Bonus Games:** A separate screen where you click on objects to reveal instant cash prizes, multipliers, or triggers to other features. Common in slots like *Wheel of Fortune* or *Monopoly-themed* games.
3. **Cascading Reels / Avalanche Features:** Winning symbols disappear and new ones fall in, creating potential for chain reactions (e.g., *Gonzo’s Quest*, *Jammin’ Jars*).
4. **Bonus Wheels:** Spin a giant wheel to win prizes, multipliers, or entry to another bonus tier (e.g., *Wheel of Fortune*, *Divine Fortune Megaways*).
5. **Progressive Bonus Games:** Features where you collect symbols (like coins or gems) over multiple spins to unlock higher-level bonuses (e.g., *Bonanza*, *The Dog House Megaways*).
6. **Hold & Spin / Lock It Link:** Land special symbols to “lock” them in place and get respins. The goal is to fill the screen (e.g., *88 Fortunes*, *Dragon Link* series). This is a massively popular category.
7. **Megaways™:** Not a bonus itself, but a mechanic from Big Time Gaming that offers **up to 117,649 ways to win** on each spin. It’s often paired with cascading reels and unlimited win multipliers (e.g., *Bonanza*, *Extra Chilli*).
8. **Buy Bonus Feature:** For an immediate cost (usually 70x-100x your bet), you can purchase direct entry into the slot’s main bonus round. This is standard in many modern high-volatility slots.
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### Top Software Providers Known for Bonus Slots
* **Big Time Gaming (BTG):** Inventors of Megaways™ and slots with complex bonus mechanics (*Bonanza, Extra Chilli, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?*).
* **Play’n GO:** Masters of thematic, engaging bonus rounds (*Book of Dead, Reactoonz* series).
* **NetEnt:** Pioneers of high-quality graphics and innovative features (*Gonzo’s Quest, Dead or Alive 2, Starburst XXXtreme*).
* **Pragmatic Play:** Kings of volume and popular features like “Ante Bet” and enhanced buy bonuses (*Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, The Dog House*).
* **NoLimit City:** Extreme volatility slots with unique, narrative-driven bonus mechanics (*Tombstone RIP, San Quentin xWays*).
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### Key Things to Consider When Playing Bonus Slots
* **Volatility:** Bonus slots are often **Medium to High Volatility**. This means wins can be less frequent but potentially much larger. Be prepared for longer periods without a bonus trigger.
* **RTP (Return to Player):** Always check the RTP. Look for games with **96% or higher** for better theoretical returns. Some games have different RTPs for base game and bonus.
* **Hit Frequency:** How often does the game award any win? A low hit frequency often signals high volatility.
* **Bonus Buy:** Understand the cost and what it guarantees. Is it good value compared to the base game odds?
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### Recommendations to Try (by Feature Type)
* **For Epic Free Spins:** *Book of Dead* (Play’n GO), *Dead or Alive 2* (NetEnt)
* **For Cascading Wins & Multipliers:** *Gates of Olympus* (Pragmatic Play), *Gonzo’s Quest* (NetEnt)
* **For “Hold & Spin” Action:** *88 Fortunes* (SG Digital), *Dragon’s Law* (Pragmatic Play)
* **For Megaways Mayhem:** *Bonanza* (BTG), *Temple of Treasure Megaways* (Blueprint)
* **For Interactive “Pick’em” Fun:** *Wheel of Fortune* (IGT), *Monopoly Big Event* (Barcrest)
* **For Unique & Crazy Mechanics:** *Tombstone RIP* (NoLimit City), *Jammin’ Jars* (Push Gaming)
### **Important Responsible Gaming Note:**
Bonus slots are designed to be entertaining and engaging. **Always gamble responsibly:**
* Set a budget and stick to it.
* Never chase losses.
* Treat bonuses as a fun feature, not a guaranteed income.
* Use reality checks and self-exclusion tools if needed.
Whether you love the anticipation of triggering a bonus round or the interactive gameplay they offer, bonus slot games provide some of the most thrilling moments in online casinos. Enjoy exploring them!