Last updated: May 2026. Comparison drawn from 300+ test spins on the original 5 Lions Megaways and 200+ on 5 Lions Megaways 2 (launched February 2025).
Pragmatic Play released 5 Lions Megaways 2 in February 2025, almost four years after the original (covered in detail in our pillar review). Same studio, same theme, same Megaways framework, refined math — and a meaningful bump in the maximum-win cap. This article puts the two side-by-side: RTP, volatility, max wins, mechanic differences, retrigger structure, and which version makes more sense for which type of Aussie pokie player. Both are at the four featured casinos; you can switch between them within a single session.
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Headline comparison table
| Spec | 5 Lions Megaways (2021) | 5 Lions Megaways 2 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Pragmatic Play | Pragmatic Play |
| Released | June 2021 | February 2025 |
| RTP (certified) | 96.50% | 96.50% |
| RTP variants | 94.5%, 95.51%, 96.50% | 94.5%, 95.51%, 96.50% |
| Volatility | High | Very high |
| Grid | 6 Megaways reels (2-7 symbols) | 6 Megaways reels (2-7 symbols) |
| Ways to win | 64 – 200,704 | 64 – 200,704 |
| Min/max bet (AUD) | A$0.20 – A$100 | A$0.20 – A$125 |
| Max win | 5,000× | 10,000× |
| Free Spins trigger | 4/5/6 scatters → 10/15/20 spins | 4/5/6 scatters → 12/15/20 spins |
| Wild multiplier increment | +1 per tumble | +1 or +2 per tumble (random) |
| Money Respin | Yes (4 jackpots: Mini/Minor/Major/Grand) | Yes (refined visual; same 4 jackpots) |
| Ante Bet | +25% per spin | +25% per spin |
| Free Spins Buy cost | ~100× bet | ~100× bet |
| Free Spins Buy variants | 1 (standard buy) | 2 (Standard + Super Buy) |
| Theme | Chinese New Year, gold lions | Chinese New Year, gold lions + jade dragons |
| Mobile / demo | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
Where the sequel improves on the original
1. Max-win cap doubled. 5 Lions Megaways 2 ships with a 10,000× theoretical cap vs the original's 5,000×. At a A$10 bet, that's A$100,000 vs A$50,000 — a meaningful difference for high-roller chase sessions.
2. Multiplier increments faster. The sequel's multiplier wild counter increments by +1 or +2 per tumble (randomly determined), instead of the original's flat +1 (see our multiplier wilds deep-dive for how the original counter compounds). Productive tumble chains accelerate the counter faster — the chase math is steeper.
3. Super Buy added. Alongside the standard 100× Free Spins Buy, the sequel adds a Super Buy option at ~300× bet that triggers a guaranteed 5-scatter equivalent (15 free spins) with a starting multiplier already at 5×. This is a high-cost, high-floor buy targeted at players who specifically want a substantial bonus right away.
4. Slightly extended base free-spin counts. A 4-scatter trigger awards 12 free spins in the sequel vs 10 in the original. Minor but compound when retriggers stack.
5. Refined Money Respin visuals. Same mechanic underneath, but the sequel's coin-collection animation, jackpot reveal sequence, and end-of-round summary are cleaner. Cosmetic improvement.
6. Slightly higher max bet. A$125 per spin vs the original's A$100 ceiling. Relevant for high-stakes players only.
Where the original is still the better choice
1. Lower volatility. The sequel pushes into Pragmatic's "very high" tier (5/5), with longer dry stretches and more concentrated bonus outcomes. The original at "high" (4/5) volatility produces more reliable bonus distribution.
2. Established player base. Four years of live deployment means more streamer content, more aggregated bonus data, and more community familiarity. The sequel is still ramping up.
3. Lower buy-feature cost. The Super Buy in the sequel costs ~300× bet, which is steep for typical session bankrolls. The original's single 100× buy is more accessible.
4. Slightly faster trigger-to-result feel. The sequel's animations are richer (more transition effects, longer roar sequences), which slows down per-spin pace. The original feels snappier.
5. Often slightly better Money Respin trigger rate. Empirically (small sample) we observed the sequel triggers Money Respin slightly less frequently than the original. Could be sample-size noise but worth flagging.
Volatility difference — what it feels like
The volatility step from "high" to "very high" sounds incremental but affects the session structure noticeably.
| Feel | 5 Lions Megaways | 5 Lions Megaways 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dry stretch | 40-70 spins | 60-100 spins |
| Bonus distribution | Most rounds 20-80×; some 200-500×; rare 2,000×+ | More rounds in the 5-30× range; rarer 200×+ but with higher upside on the rare ones |
| Required bankroll per spin | ~200× | ~250-300× |
| Session emotional curve | Active base with bonus chase | More waiting; bigger emotional swings when bonuses hit |
If you're playing for session entertainment with regular small wins, the original is the better fit. If you're playing specifically to chase the higher cap and accept harsher variance, the sequel.
Multiplier wild math — direct comparison
In the original, a 6-tumble chain produces a counter sitting at 6×.
In the sequel, the same 6-tumble chain produces a counter sitting somewhere between 6× and 12×, with the actual value rolled per tumble.
Implication: the sequel's high-outlier rounds reach higher multiplier values faster. Average multiplier values after equivalent tumble counts:
| Tumble count in spin | Original counter increment | Sequel counter increment |
|---|---|---|
| 3 tumbles | +3 | +3 to +6 (avg ~4.5) |
| 5 tumbles | +5 | +5 to +10 (avg ~7.5) |
| 8 tumbles | +8 | +8 to +16 (avg ~12) |
| 12 tumbles | +12 | +12 to +24 (avg ~18) |
Over a long bonus round, the sequel's counter sits roughly 50% higher than the original's at any given moment.
Free Spins Buy comparison
| Option | Original | Sequel |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Buy | ~100× bet → 10 free spins (4-scatter equivalent) | ~100× bet → 12 free spins (4-scatter equivalent) |
| Super Buy | Not available | ~300× bet → 15 free spins with 5× starting multiplier |
| Expected return on Standard Buy | ~100× back (close to break-even, slight house edge) | ~100× back (close to break-even, slight house edge) |
| Expected return on Super Buy | N/A | ~280-320× back (similar break-even math, much higher floor) |
The Super Buy in the sequel is for players who specifically want a guaranteed substantial round entry, not for grinders looking for cheap bonus access.
Which to play — by player profile
Casual recreational player (A$50-200 sessions): Original. Lower volatility, lower bet floor needed, more reliable session pacing.
Chase-focused engaged player (A$200-500 sessions): Either works. Original if you prefer steady-state with occasional bonuses. Sequel if you want bigger outlier potential.
High-roller (A$500+ sessions, max-bet capable): Sequel. The doubled max-win cap matters at high bet sizes.
Buy-feature regular: Original for cheap access (100× buy). Sequel if you specifically want the Super Buy variant.
First-time pokie player: Original. The lower volatility produces a less brutal first session.
Streamer / content creator: Sequel — bigger headline numbers, fresher production value.
Someone who wants both: Play both. Same theme, same casino, same banking — switching between them costs nothing.
Casino availability
All four featured casinos stock both games:
| Casino | 5 Lions Megaways | 5 Lions Megaways 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vegasnova | Yes (96.5% verified) | Yes (96.5% verified) |
| Joe Fortune | Yes (96.5% verified) | Yes (96.5% verified) |
| GreatSlots | Yes (96.5% verified) | Yes (96.5% verified) |
| CasinoRocket | Yes (96.5% verified) | Yes (96.5% verified) |
The welcome offer and ongoing bonus structures apply identically to both games — you don't need to choose one over the other for promotional purposes.
Other titles in the 5 Lions series
For completeness, the broader 5 Lions catalogue from Pragmatic Play:
| Title | Released | Format | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Lions | 2018 | 5×3 standard | 1,000× |
| 5 Lions Gold | 2019 | 5×3 with respins | 5,000× |
| 5 Lions Dance | 2020 | 5×3 with money symbols | 5,000× |
| 5 Lions Megaways | 2021 | 6 Megaways | 5,000× |
| 5 Lions Megaways 2 | 2025 | 6 Megaways (refined) | 10,000× |
The Megaways versions are the modern flagships. The 5×3 standard versions (5 Lions, 5 Lions Gold, 5 Lions Dance) are simpler, lower-volatility alternatives at the same theme.
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Quick FAQ
Are both versions at the same RTP? Yes — both ship at certified 96.5%. Both also have reduced variants (94.5%, 95.51%) that some casinos deploy.
Can my welcome bonus apply to both? Usually yes — most welcome bonus terms allow play on the full Pragmatic catalogue at 100% wagering contribution.
Does the sequel feel "harder" to win? Yes — the higher volatility means more dry stretches between meaningful hits. Bonuses are bigger on average when they hit.
Is the sequel just a re-skin? No — it's a refined math model with a higher max-win cap, faster multiplier increments, and the new Super Buy. Not just cosmetic.
Do I need separate strategies for the two games? No — same fundamentals. Bankroll discipline, Ante Bet for engaged sessions, walk away on win caps. The strategies translate.
Which has better mobile UX? Sequel — newer build, refined animations, better thumb-zone layout. Original is still good but feels slightly dated.
Will Pragmatic release a 5 Lions Megaways 3? Unknown. The 5 Lions series gets a new title roughly every 2 years on average, so 2027 is plausible.
About this comparison
Direct comparison from 300+ test spins on the original 5 Lions Megaways and 200+ test spins on 5 Lions Megaways 2 across all four featured casinos in April-May 2026. Bonus distributions and multiplier behaviour verified against Pragmatic Play's published documentation for both titles.
Gambling responsibly. Choosing between two similar pokies doesn't reduce variance — both are high-volatility. Set deposit limits regardless of which version you play. AU support: gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop · 18+ only.
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Further Reading
Related reading in this guide: