Most pages about this game describe only one version. This article examines all three, referencing the games' rule sheets and Pragmatic Play's own pages, and verifies them against Australian law.
The fundamentals are common knowledge. Release the Kraken is a Pragmatic Play slot with an ocean theme featuring free spins, random features and wilds. Release the Kraken 2 maintains the theme on a five-reel grid. Release the Kraken Megaways uses six reels with up to 117,649 ways to win.
Online slots and Australian law
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) prohibits the provision of online casino games, such as slots and online pokies, to individuals located in Australia. This restriction applies to both offshore and Australian providers, and they may not advertise such services within the country.
Liability for these offences lies with the providers rather than the players. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blocks websites belonging to illegal offshore operators.
Three practical points follow for these games:
- No Australian stake cap or RTP minimum. No online casino can be licensed in Australia, so no local regulations establish either for online slots.
- No Australian stake range. A maximum bet of R1,875 is mentioned in the Kraken 2 rules sheet, which refers to South African rand. This does not prove the existence of an Australian-dollar limit.
- BetStop doesn't cover slots. The national self-exclusion register is for licensed phone and online wagering, not casino games.
Pragmatic Play's pages offer free demos of all three games.
How the series changed, in release order
Outside sources date the original as January 2020, Release the Kraken 2 as November 2022, and the Megaways version as October 2024. Pragmatic Play's sites verify this sequence: Kraken 2 acts as the sequel, while Megaways is called the newest.
| Release the Kraken | Release the Kraken 2 | Release the Kraken Megaways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reported release | January 2020 | November 2022 | October 2024 |
| Layout | 4×5, 20 lines | 5×4 grid | Six reels, changing layout, up to 117,649 ways |
| RTP on provider page | 96.50% | 96.50% | 96.40% |
| RTP in rules sheet | 96.01%–96.05% by mode | ||
| Maximum win | Not stated by provider | 5,000× bet (rules sheet) | 10,000× bet (provider page) |
| Volatility from provider | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
The original
Pragmatic Play calls it a 20-line, 4×5 video slot. Any spin can trigger random features. Roaming wilds and a progressive multiplier are combined in the free spins round.
Some pages call it a three-row game. You should trust the 4×5 description from the provider.
Release the Kraken 2
More base-game features are included in the sequel:
- random features
- wild respins
- shifting stacked wilds
- guaranteed-win spins
A gamble mechanic can win additional spins during the bonus, and the multiplier grows as the round progresses.
The rules sheet also mentions an Ante Bet option and distinct Standard and VIP free spins modes.
Release the Kraken Megaways
The Megaways version operates in a different way:
- Respins: Three or more wilds activate respins. Roaming wilds shift following each respin, and each additional wild gives another spin.
- Free spins: Six free spins are triggered by three or more scatters.
- Chests: Chests can give extra spins, roaming wilds, multipliers or a minimum number of payways during free spins.
- Multiplier: Every wild turns into a roaming wild in the bonus. The multiplier increases by 1× when two land in the same spot.
Which RTP figure to trust
Release the Kraken 2. Pragmatic Play's website states 96.50%. The game's own rules sheet provides lower rates for different modes:
- 96.03% standard
- 96.01% with Ante Bet
- 96.03% for Standard Free Spins
- 96.05% for VIP Free Spins
The rules sheet is the more trustworthy source. This document appears within the game and provides a breakdown by mode instead of a single main number. This creates a difference of around half a percentage point, meaning the long-term return is slightly lower than the 96.50% main figure. Sites that only list 96.5% for Kraken 2 overlook this.
The original. The provider page states 96.50%. One third-party site reports a 94.5% version. The provider page doesn't list this, so you can only confirm the version by checking the paytable or help screen of the specific build you're using.
Megaways. Pragmatic Play lists 96.40%. Other figures shouldn't be used instead.
Maximum wins
The two sequels feature different limits:
- Megaways: the provider states a maximum win of 10,000× the bet.
- Kraken 2: the rules sheet limits a round to 5,000× the bet. The round stops immediately once the cap is hit, and any remaining features are lost.
- The original: Pragmatic Play's page doesn't give a maximum win. A third-party listing says 10,000×, but the provider hasn't confirmed this. Check the game's paytable.
Volatility and stakes: what's missing
Pragmatic Play's pages for the three games don't provide a volatility rating or a stake range.
One review describes Kraken 2 as having high volatility. It also mentions 20 paylines during the base game and 40 during free spins. The provider doesn't confirm these details.
The same review lists two different stake ranges on a single page: 20p–£5 and 20p–£100. Neither range is reliable, and both use pounds.
No source compares the volatility of all three versions, so any ranking based on volatility would be a guess.
Whether you're using a demo or researching the series, it's worth setting limits for yourself on the money and time spent on any kind of gambling.