If you love puzzle-style casino games that combine strategy, colour and excitement, then Merge Up™ by BGaming is one to try. Released in October 2023, this vibrant online slot is a clever mix of tile-merging mechanics and classic slot rewards. It’s a game where dazzling gemstones collide, merge, and evolve to create even bigger wins. All wrapped in a visually stunning 5x5 grid.

Inspired by timeless titles like Bejeweled, Merge Up gives Ghanaian players something both familiar and fresh. Instead of lining up symbols on paylines, you create clusters of matching gems that merge into higher-value stones. With every cascade, your anticipation builds, could the next merge lead to a massive multiplier or a free spins explosion?

How to Play Merge Up

At its core, Merge Up is all about forming winning clusters. You’ll see shining gemstones drop onto the grid and whenever four or more identical symbols touch horizontally or vertically, they merge into one of a higher level. There are nine levels of gems, each more valuable and colourful than the last.

Once a cluster is formed, the winning symbols disappear, making space for new gems to fall from above and the merge continues! This cascading effect can lead to chain reactions and, with a bit of luck, some spectacular payouts.

To play, simply choose your bet size, from GHS 2 to GHS 400, and click Spin. You can also use Autospin mode if you prefer hands-free gameplay, with the option to stop automatically after wins, bonuses, or set cash limits.

Merge Up Feature

The Merge Up feature is the beating heart of the game. It’s triggered every time four or more matching symbols connect vertically or horizontally. When a winning cluster forms, part of it disappears and the rest upgrade to symbols from the next level. This creates a natural sense of progress, like levelling up in a mobile puzzle game, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch.

Each merge can lead to even greater wins, and with nine levels of symbols, every spin holds the potential to reach the highest rewards.

Scatter Symbol and Free Spins

When your merges reach the ninth level, or when four or more Scatter symbols land anywhere on the grid, you’ll unlock the Free Spins feature.

• 4 Scatters = 15 Free Spins

• 5 Scatters = 18 Free Spins

• 6 or more Scatters = 20 Free Spins

During Free Spins, any cell that takes part in a win becomes marked with a multiplier. If that cell wins again, its multiplier doubles, up to a massive x128 per cell! The marked cells remain active throughout the round, giving you more chances to multiply your payouts.

Even better, Free Spins can retrigger if new Scatters land during the bonus thus giving you up to 10 extra spins at a time.

Other Exciting Features

• Buy Bonus: Want instant access to the Free Spins round? You can buy your way in, with the price adjusted automatically based on your bet size.

• Chance x2: This optional feature slightly increases your stake but boosts your odds of triggering Free Spins sooner.

• Cluster Pays: Wins depend on clusters, not paylines. Only adjacent symbols count, diagonal matches don’t.

• Autospins & Settings: You can customise speed, volume, and even use the spacebar to spin.

With a top-tier RTP of 97.25% and the potential for cascading wins up to 128x per cell, Merge Up is both beautiful and brilliantly rewarding.

BGaming’s visuals shine brightly here. The gems sparkle against a dark backdrop, and every merge feels magical thanks to subtle lighting and sound effects. Each combination pops with satisfying clicks and bursts of colour. The rhythmic soundtrack adds a cool tempo, keeping you focused as you climb through the gem levels.

It’s easy to see how BGaming borrowed ideas from hit mobile games like Candy Crush and Bejeweled, then gave them a casino twist. The result is relaxing yet exciting, perfectly balanced for players who enjoy both strategy and surprise.

Key Facts

• Provider/Developer: BGaming

• RTP: 97.25%

• Volatility: Very High

• Bonus Features: Merge Up Clusters, Free Spins, Multipliers, Buy Bonus, Chance x2

• Min. bet.: GHS 2

• Max. bet.: GHS 400

• Reels & Rows: 5x5

• Theme: Cascade Slot / Cluster Pays

Merge Up 2 – Bigger, Bolder, and Explosive!

Released in October 2025, this game takes everything players loved about the original and supercharges it. The sequel features improved graphics, three Buy Bonus options, and thrilling new Bomb Symbols that detonate clusters for even bigger cascades.

The pastel theme is softer, but the action is faster. Bombs explode to clear nearby symbols, increase multipliers, and eventually turn into Scatters. Players can earn up to 30 Free Spins with multipliers that grow up to x10,000, making this sequel even more dynamic.

Merge Up 2 feels like BGaming’s answer to “what if Bejeweled met a slot machine on steroids?”. Therefore, a real upgrade for fans of cascading wins.

Lucky 8 Merge Up – The 2048-Inspired Spin

There is also Lucky 8 Merge Up™, a special 6x6 edition released in February 2024. It takes inspiration from the number-puzzle app 2048, swapping gems for numbered tiles that merge into higher-value numbers. Every merge feels meaningful, with wins forming directly in the base game rather than relying on bonus rounds.

During Free Spins, each win marks the cell with a growing multiplier, and symbols around the highest values spin with added anticipation. The x5000 max multiplier gives plenty of reason to keep merging. With its high RTP of 97.25% and crisp, minimalist design, Lucky 8 Merge Up feels modern, clever, and built for mobile play.

Merge Up - Game Review Summary

BGaming’s Merge Up™ series stands out by combining the fun of mobile puzzle games with the thrill of slot wins. The original game offers the perfect entry point. Offering simple mechanics, beautiful gems, and generous multipliers while Merge Up 2 and Lucky 8 Merge Up build on the formula with new visuals, bombs, and exciting twists.

For players in Ghana, this series delivers exactly what we love: games that are easy to play, visually rewarding, and packed with potential. Whether you’re merging gems, detonating bombs, or chasing cell multipliers, each spin feels fresh and full of promise. So go on and log into your PrideSpins account. Then merge, match and multiply your way to dazzling rewards!

FAQ

What makes Merge Up different from other slots?

It replaces paylines with cluster merging mechanics, similar to puzzle games like Bejeweled, giving it a fun and strategic edge.

How do I trigger Free Spins in Merge Up?

Land 4 or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid to trigger Free Spins. You can also buy the bonus directly.

What is the RTP of Merge Up?

The Return to Player (RTP) is an impressive 97.25%, higher than many standard online slots.

Which Merge Up game should I start with?

If you’re new, begin with the original Merge Up™ to learn the cluster mechanics. Once you’ve got the hang of it, move on to Merge Up 2™ or Lucky 8 Merge Up™ for bigger thrills and advanced features. All versions are available at PrideSpins.