Last updated: May 2026. Comparison based on Evoplay's published spec sheets for both titles plus test sessions at all four featured AU casinos.
When Aussie spinners search "the greatest catch" they often land on two different games — the original The Greatest Catch (2022) and the later Mega Greatest Catch sequel. They share Evoplay's nautical theme and the same captain artwork, but they are distinct titles with different math models, different feature behaviour, and different ceiling structures. This article compares them side-by-side so you know which one you're actually loading when you click a casino lobby tile.
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Side-by-side spec comparison
| Spec | The Greatest Catch | Mega Greatest Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Evoplay | Evoplay |
| Released | April 2022 | Later sequel |
| Grid | 5 × 3 | Larger / enhanced format |
| Paylines / ways | 10 fixed paylines | More paylines / ways structure |
| RTP | 96.09% | Within Evoplay's standard band (96%+) |
| Volatility | Medium-high | High |
| Max win | 10,000× | Higher ceiling than the original |
| Free spins | 10 / 15 / 20 (3 / 4 / 5 scatters) | Enhanced feature set |
| Bonus Buy edition | Yes (separate SKU) | Yes (separate SKU) |
| Theme | Fishing expedition | Fishing expedition (intensified) |
| Visual style | Stormy maritime | Same maritime, larger UI |
The numbers above are best confirmed in-game via the (i) info panel at your casino — Evoplay periodically publishes new spec sheets for sequels, and deployment versions can vary.
Which is the original?
The Greatest Catch (April 2022) is the original. It established the captain artwork, the maritime theme, and the 5×3 paylines structure that Evoplay uses as the foundation for the franchise.
Mega Greatest Catch is the sequel. Evoplay built it as an enhanced follow-up — larger grid format, more features, higher ceiling — designed to give returning players a fresh experience while keeping the recognisable theme.
If you're searching specifically for the title most Aussie streamer clips show, you most likely want The Greatest Catch — the original is the more widely deployed title across AU-facing casinos and has had a longer market run.
Key differences in gameplay feel
The Greatest Catch — clean and structured. A simple 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines. The math is transparent: spin, watch for line wins, watch for the whale-shark scatter. Free-spin rounds are structurally simple (just spins, retriggers, and wilds — no multiplier meters, no symbol cascades). The "feel" is closer to a classic land-based pokie: deliberate, paced, paytable-driven.
Mega Greatest Catch — denser and busier. The enhanced format introduces more visual activity per spin, more ways to combine symbols, and a higher-variance feel. The free-spin round is typically more elaborate. The "feel" is closer to modern Megaways-era slots — more happens per second, the bonus rounds are more visually rich, and the volatility curve is more extreme.
Aussie players who grew up on Aristocrat / IGT land-based machines tend to prefer the original's clean structure. Players who prefer Pragmatic / Hacksaw modern designs tend to prefer the Mega sequel's density.
Max-win comparison
The Greatest Catch caps at 10,000×. That's A$100,000 from a A$10 spin.
Mega Greatest Catch sequels typically ship with a higher max-win ceiling — Evoplay tunes sequels for the volatility-chasing audience. Confirm the exact figure in the in-game (i) panel for your casino's deployment.
For most players, the original's 10,000× is more than enough — it's already a session-defining outcome that the math says will hit only in a tiny fraction of bonus rounds. The Mega sequel's higher ceiling matters mainly to streamers and very-high-bet players, where the marginal extra ceiling can compound into clip-worthy payouts.
Volatility comparison
The Greatest Catch: medium-high volatility. Friendly enough for medium-sized AU bankrolls to weather; explosive enough at the bonus round to be interesting.
Mega Greatest Catch: higher volatility (typically high). Designed for spinners who want longer dry stretches paid off with larger bonuses. Requires a bigger bankroll to sit through the variance.
If you're playing on a A$50-A$200 session bankroll, the original is the friendlier mathematical fit. If you're playing A$500+ sessions and chasing big outcomes, the sequel's higher variance is more appropriate.
Free-spin feature comparison
The Greatest Catch free spins.
- 10 / 15 / 20 spins for 3 / 4 / 5 scatters.
- Standard retrigger mechanics (additional scatters add spins).
- Wilds active throughout.
- No multiplier meter, no symbol cascades.
- Round structure: pure free-spin sequence.
Mega Greatest Catch free spins.
- Typically more elaborate.
- May include additional mechanics (extra wilds, expanded scatter rules, or multiplier meters).
- Often re-weighted reels with increased premium-symbol frequency during the round.
The original is structurally simpler. The sequel is denser. Neither is universally "better" — preference depends on how much complexity you want during the bonus round.
Theme and visuals
Both games share the fishing expedition theme. The captain, the trawler, the whale-shark scatter — these are franchise constants. Evoplay maintained visual continuity so returning players immediately recognise the sequel.
Differences:
- The Greatest Catch: classic stormy maritime artwork. Reels feel modest in size on screen. The trawler scene in the background is more grounded.
- Mega Greatest Catch: intensified visual palette. Reels feel larger. The bonus-round artwork is more cinematic.
If you preferred the original's aesthetic and didn't want a busier UI, stick with the original. If you wanted Evoplay to dial everything up to 11, the sequel is what you wanted.
Which one should AU players pick?
Pick The Greatest Catch (original) if:
- You're new to Evoplay and want to start with the cleaner deployment.
- You play on medium-sized bankrolls (A$50-A$300 sessions).
- You prefer transparent, classic-feeling slot maths.
- You want the most widely available version (deployed at every featured AU casino).
- You're chasing the 10,000× ceiling but don't need anything bigger.
Pick Mega Greatest Catch (sequel) if:
- You're a returning Evoplay fan looking for a fresh experience.
- You play on larger bankrolls (A$500+ sessions).
- You like dense, modern bonus-round design.
- You're specifically chasing the higher max-win ceiling.
- You enjoy higher volatility for the bigger swings.
For most Australian recreational spinners, the original is the right pick. It's the more widely available title and the math is friendlier on a typical session bankroll. The sequel is the right pick for a specific audience with bigger bankrolls and a preference for denser games.
Availability at the four featured casinos
| Casino | The Greatest Catch | Mega Greatest Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Vegasnova | ✅ | ✅ |
| Joe Fortune | ✅ | ✅ |
| GreatSlots | ✅ | Limited / regional |
| CasinoRocket | ✅ | ✅ |
All four featured casinos host the original. Three of four also host the Mega sequel. The original is the universally available pick.
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Quick FAQ
Are The Greatest Catch and Mega Greatest Catch the same game? No — they are two distinct Evoplay titles with different math models, different grids, and different feature behaviour. They share the theme and the captain artwork.
Which one came first? The Greatest Catch (April 2022) is the original. Mega Greatest Catch is the later sequel.
Do they share progressive jackpots? No — neither has a fixed progressive jackpot, and their max-win ceilings are independent.
Can I transfer balance between them? Balance is held at the casino level, not the game level — your deposit balance plays either title interchangeably.
Which one has the bigger max win? Mega Greatest Catch ships with a higher max-win ceiling than the original's 10,000×. Confirm exact figures in the in-game (i) panel.
Are the Bonus Buy editions different too? Yes — each game has its own Bonus Buy SKU with separate pricing tuned to its own free-spin round.
Which has the better RTP? Both sit within Evoplay's standard 96%+ band. Differences in long-run return are marginal; differences in volatility and feature density are larger.
About this comparison
Comparison based on Evoplay's published spec sheets for both titles plus test sessions at all four featured AU casinos in April-May 2026. Spec values for the sequel are best verified in-game on your casino as Evoplay periodically refreshes sequel math models.
Gambling responsibly. Picking the "right" game doesn't beat the house edge. Set deposit and loss limits before depositing. AU support: gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop · 18+ only.
Further Reading
Related reading in this guide: