Gonzo’s Quest was the first ever game to use an “avalanche” or “cascading” reel engine. These engines allow multiple wins from the same spin. Of course, there’s never a guarantee of a player winning from slots; they are games of luck. But this feature has become popular and other games have followed suit. These reels are also sometimes known as “tumbling reels”.
The developer NetEnt introduced the avalanche mechanic in 2011. When a winning line forms, symbols explode and vanish; new symbols drop down into place. That creates a second chance for a win from the same spin. It can repeat multiple times if there are successive wins.
The game grid and betting explained
Like many other slot games, Gonzo’s Quest uses five reels and three rows of symbols. There are 20 paylines for a potential win. A player chooses a coin worth between £0.01 and £0.50 and then chooses a bet level from 1 to 5. This is the bet level over 10 paylines, so for example, bet level 1 means 1 coin per line; bet level 5 means 5 coins per line (making the total stake 5 times higher).
The game uses stylised stone masks and animal faces for symbols, ranging from low-value to high-value icons. The wild symbol is the question mark. Scatter symbols trigger bonus rounds when enough appear; these are called Free Falls.
Avalanche reels change spin outcomes
Players hit spin and symbols fall into a 5×3 grid. If a winning combination lands on any of the 20 paylines, those symbols explode and disappear. That leaves empty spaces. New symbols drop from above. If they form another win, symbols again vanish and fall; this happens until no further wins appear.
This creates dynamic cascades of wins from a single input. The appeal for some casino players is the unexpected continuation of play. Each cascade can increase expectations. Players should remember that slots are games of chance and, despite the multiple possible ways to win, there are no guaranteed outcomes.
Multipliers
The avalanche mechanic comes with multipliers that grow each time a cascade occurs. In the base game, the sequence begins with a 1x multiplier. After one cascade, a 2x applies; the next yields 3x; then 5x for a third consecutive cascade.
In Free Falls, multipliers start higher and climb more sharply. They begin at 3x, advance to 6x, then 9x and reach 15x on the fourth cascade.
Influence on slot design and evolution
Since Gonzo’s Quest, the avalanche or cascading mechanic has spread widely across casinos. Game providers adapted it in various formats: grid slots, Megaways formats, clusters and more.
In Megaways systems, reels change height each spin, raising the number of win columns, alongside avalanche chains. The aim is more dramatic action and unpredictability. Games like Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza and Reactoonz feature cascading mechanics, free spins and large multipliers.
Gonzo’s Quest compared to Megaways version
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (by Red Tiger Gaming) kept the avalanche mechanic and added modern variations. The game runs on six reels with up to seven symbols per reel. That enables up to 117,649 ways to win. Avalanche chains return, with multipliers that reach 5x in base play and 15x in Free Falls. There are extra features such as Earthquake events that replace low symbols with high values, and Unbreakable Wilds that stay in place during cascades. The Free Falls bonus yields at least nine free spins and can retrigger. The theoretical RTP (Return to Player) is 95.97%. (The average slot RTP is about 96%.) Volatility is high, offering potential wins up to 21,000x the bet.
The appeal of cascading symbols
Avalanche reels bring more depth to slot mechanics. Rather than a single outcome, players can experience a chain of events in one spin, potentially turning a modest payout into a more substantial reward. The visual effect of symbols falling and exploding keeps players visually engaged. Cascading symbols add rhythm and a sense of replay within each round.
The mechanic also raises the potential of hitting rare large combinations. When combined with multipliers, a small win at the start of a cascade can transform into a big payout if the chain continues. Even though the odds remain in the house’s favour, the possibility of back-to-back wins gives each spin greater perceived value.
Player strategies and perception
Outcomes remain random, but some players adjust their bets to maximize cascades and multipliers. Players might enjoy observing apparent patterns, even if it doesn’t change the odds. Spins might feel more interactive and potentially rewarding. As noted, these games are still based on luck.
Last word
Avalanche reels have reshaped slot games. Some players enjoy more animated visuals and a stronger sense of progress within each round. Designers embrace them because they boost engagement.
Gonzo’s Quest was the pioneer and is still a widely played game. Its avalanche mechanic proved compelling enough that it’s now used by hundreds of modern slots. Cascading symbols have been one of the most influential innovations in slot gameplay.
