How slot sequels and 1000 editions differ

The five kinds of slot follow-up

When a slot does well, its studio rarely leaves it alone. The follow-ups fall into a handful of patterns, and knowing which one you're looking at tells you a lot about what has changed before you open the paytable.

What a 1000 edition changes

Pragmatic Play's 1000 series is the clearest example of a maths-only follow-up. Gates of Olympus 1000 looks and plays like the original: same 6 × 5 grid, same pay-anywhere wins, same tumbling and the same multiplier orbs. The difference is that the orbs can now reach 1,000x, and the max win rises to match. Sweet Bonanza 1000 applies the same idea to the candy game's bombs. Our 1000 edition slots page lists more of the series.

Look at the RTP column. The return barely moves, and in Big Bass Bonanza's case the 1000 version is 0.2 points lower. Yet the max win can triple or rise almost tenfold. If the overall return stays the same while the top prize grows, something else must give: in practice, ordinary wins and average features pay a little less so that the rare huge results can exist. That's the trade every 1000 edition makes. For a head-to-head on the most popular pair, see Gates of Olympus vs Gates of Olympus 1000.

Numbered sequels: new features on a known idea

A numbered sequel is a new game rather than a retune. It keeps the theme and the core hook, then rebuilds the feature. Relax Gaming's Money Train series shows how far the max win can climb over several instalments while RTP stays close to 96%.

Esqueleto Explosivo is a useful reminder that sequels can change a game's character entirely. The original is rated low volatility with a 700x cap; the sequel moves to medium with a 5,000x cap and 99 pay ways. Fans of the first game's gentle rhythm may find the second plays quite differently. Similarly, Thunderstruck II moved from the original's 9 paylines to 243 ways and a set of unlockable free spins modes. For the Money Train jump, see Money Train 2 vs Money Train 3.

Megaways remakes: same theme, different engine

A Megaways remake transplants a known theme onto Big Time Gaming's changing-reel system, licensed to other studios. The ways to win jump into the tens of thousands, and the max win usually rises with them. Our guide to how Megaways works explains the reel mechanics.

Twin Spin Megaways is the odd one out: the published volatility is listed as medium, below the original's medium–high, even though the max win is far higher. Ratings come from different sources and scales, so treat them as a rough guide. Gonzo's Quest Megaways is also worth noting because a different studio made it: Red Tiger, a sister studio of NetEnt within the Evolution group.

High-volatility remixes and seasonal versions

The most dramatic example of a remix is Starburst XXXtreme. The original Starburst is a low-volatility game with a 500x max win and 10 paylines that pay both ways. The XXXtreme version keeps the look, cuts to 9 paylines and moves to high volatility with a 200,000x max win. The two games share artwork but almost nothing about how a session feels. See Starburst vs Starburst XXXtreme for the full comparison.

Seasonal and spin-off versions sit at the other end. The Big Bass series has produced many, from Big Bass Splash to Christmas and Halloween editions and spin-offs with new mechanics:

What a higher max win means for an actual session

The headline number grabs attention, but the change you'll feel is in volatility. Compare 100 spins at 50p, £50 staked, on an original and its higher-cap version with the same RTP of about 96.5%. The expected loss on both is about £1.75. The difference is in how the outcomes are spread:

• On the original, more of the return arrives through ordinary wins and average features, so more sessions finish within reach of the starting £50.
• On the higher-cap version, more of the return is held back for rare outcomes, so more sessions finish well below £50, and a very small number finish far above it.
• Over thousands of sessions both average out near the same return; over one evening, they can feel like different games.

This is why 'bigger max win' isn't the same as 'better'. If you prefer longer sessions on a fixed budget, the original or a lower-volatility relative may suit you more. Our volatility guide shows how to match a game to your budget.

Why studios keep making follow-ups

A familiar name is valuable in a crowded lobby. Players who enjoyed the original already understand the symbols and the feature, which makes a new version easier to try. For the studio, re-using proven art and mechanics lets it focus on new maths, which is often what keeps players interested: a known game with a new risk profile.

The UK market adds its own wrinkle. Feature buys aren't offered in Great Britain, so a UK version of any follow-up reaches its feature only through normal play. A sequel's bigger max win doesn't change that, and it may mean the feature is harder to land. Our guide on how bonus buys work explains the difference.

How to compare an original with its sequel before playing

1. Open both games' info screens and note the RTP shown at your casino, since either may run a lower version. The slot RTP versions guide explains why.
2. Compare the max win. A big jump usually means higher volatility, even if the rating isn't published.
3. Read the feature rules side by side: look for new multipliers, extra modes or a different trigger.
4. Check the paylines or ways and the grid size, which can change completely in a Megaways remake.
5. Play the age-verified demo of each for a short while to see how often the feature arrives.
6. Choose a stake that lets your budget survive the swingier version, if that's the one you pick.

Where to play the originals and their follow-ups

PlayOJO gives new UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland) 80 free spins on the original Big Bass Bonanza after a first deposit of at least £10, worth 10p each, with winnings paid in cash and no wagering. Coral gives 100 free spins at 10p on selected games when you deposit and bet £10 or more on slots, to accept within 48 hours and use within 7 days, and Ladbrokes gives up to 500 spins at 10p, 50 a day for 10 days, after you deposit and spend £10 on slots. Neither has wagering on spin winnings, and some deposit methods are excluded. All are for new customers aged 18+, and terms apply.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.