Systems and methods for displaying an oversized symbol across multiple reels

An electronic gaming machine comprising:

• a display device configured to selectively display:
• a primary game using a primary matrix including a trigger column and a plurality of combinable columns, the trigger column and the plurality of combinable columns corresponding to a first plurality of virtual reels having respective pluralities of symbols defined thereon, and
• a secondary game using a secondary matrix including the trigger column and a combined column representing a combination of the plurality of combinable columns in the primary matrix, the trigger column and the combined column corresponding to a second plurality of reel strips having respective pluralities of symbols defined thereon, wherein the respective symbols appearing in the combined column are oversized to span a space otherwise occupied by the plurality of combinable columns in the primary matrix;
• and
• a game controller coupled to said display device and configured to:
• control said display device to display the primary matrix,
• spin and stop the first plurality of virtual reels to conduct the primary game, wherein at least one trigger symbol appears in the trigger column when the first plurality of virtual reels stops,
• select the secondary game and control said display device to display the secondary matrix in response to the appearance of the trigger symbol in the trigger column,
• spin and stop the second plurality of virtual reels to conduct the secondary game, wherein at least one oversized symbol appears in the combined column, and
• award a secondary game award for the secondary game based at least upon the at least one oversized symbol.