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With striking visuals and an excellent multi-feature wild symbol, Starburst is a slot that works whether you are playing for free or real money. Head below for our complete Starburst slot review.
- Provider: NetEnt
- Release date: 2012
- Reels: 5
- Rows: 3
- Paylines: 10
- RTP: 96.07%
- Volatility: Low/Medium
- Minimum bet: $0.10
- Maximum bet: $100
- Maximum win: 500x
Who Should Play Starburst
Starburst became one of the most popular video slots ever because of its universal appeal. This is a game that suits all types of players, including people on a tight budget. Beginner-friendly but with enough going on for experienced players, NetEnt’s Starburst is a slot of the people.
Starburst Biggest Win
While Slottracker claims that Starburst’s biggest win is €1,362.79, the game has the potential to pay out up to 500x your stake.
How to Play Starburst
A big part of the beauty of the Starburst online slot is its simplicity. NetEnt uses a traditional configuration of 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines. To win, you need to see 3, 4, or 5 matching symbols on a payline.
Wins pay both ways, which means symbols can line up from left to right or from right to left. Paylines are fixed, so you’ll need to bet them from $0.10 to $100 per spin. An autoplay function makes it easy to play long sessions of Starburst.
That said, there are a few truly exciting features of Starburst. We’ll go through them below.
Symbols and Payouts
There are no especially fancy symbols on Starburst, although all icons are expertly rendered with plenty of visual flair. Standard symbols are 5 different gems (purple, blue, orange, green, yellow), while there is also a 7-sphere and BAR sphere symbol.
Among the many fun features there’s the “Both Ways” mechanic that can potentially double your wins. For example, if you get 5 BAR sphere symbols, you will get 500x your stake instead of 250x.
All gameplay is focused on the Starburst Wild symbol, a feature that has become iconic amongst slot players. It will only appear on reels 2, 3, and/or 4 and will replace other symbols to help form winning combinations.
So far, so normal, but the Starburst Wild has a twist that we will discuss in the bonus section below:
| Symbol | Payout/Info |
|---|---|
| Purple Gem | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.5, 1 or 2.5 x stake |
| Blue Gem | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.5, 1 or 2.5 x stake |
| Orange Gem | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.7, 1.5 or 4 x stake |
| Green Gem | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.8, 2 or 5 x stake |
| Yellow Gem | 3, 4 or 5 = 1, 2.5 or 6 x stake |
| 7 Sphere | 3, 4 or 5 = 2.5, 6 or 12 x stake |
| BAR Sphere | 3, 4 or 5 = 5, 20 or 25 x stake |
| Starburst Wild | Substitutes, expands + awards re-spins |
Play Starburst on Mobile
When originally making Starburst, NetEnt made a wise decision with the game design. It is simple but stylish while also being timeless. Starburst is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices—the arcade like light effects pop from high-resolution screens on iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Built on HTML5 technology, Starburst can also switch seamlessly from mobile play and desktop versions of online casinos.
Starburst RTP, Payout, and Volatility
The Starburst slot RTP is 96.09%, which is almost exactly the average for an online slot. Volatility is low to medium, and in our experience, it edges more into the medium bracket. You will see plenty of wins, but the payouts will generally be smaller. Even so, Starburst is capable of big wins up to your stake.
Starburst Bonus Features
The Starburst slot does not have a separate bonus game, such as a free spins feature. However, there is a distinctive feature known as Starburst Wild.
Starburst Expanding Wilds
The Starburst Wild is the star of the show. It will only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it lands on a reel, the symbol expands across the whole reel and turns it wild. The new wild reel will stick in position while you get a free Re-spin. You can keep repeating this process every time a Starburst Wild appears on a reel during a Re-spin.
It is possible to fill all of the middle 3 reels with the Starburst Wild and get 3 Re-spins. The goal is to try to fill the reels with the Bar sphere symbol. It is possible to do this during a standard spin, but it is easier if you have 3 wild reels.
Graphics & Sound
Starburst is a neon space saga that looks fresh today despite originally launching back in 2012. The cosmic theme is simple but effective, with purple hues and bright pointing for the symbols.
NetEnt has kept updating the Starburst slot over the years, including adding Full HD support. On mobile and desktop, the game looks superb. As for the soundtrack, it is an electric tune that is emotive and adds a nice touch to the overall feel of Starburst.
Gameplay and Overall Experience
Simplicity is the key to the appeal of Starburst. This is a slot that any type of player can enjoy. Its flexibility has made it the most popular slot game ever made. Starburst works best when you want a high-quality game that also supports fast sessions.
Our Own Gameplay Experience
We ran Starburst for 200 spins and were left happy with the balance of gameplay. You are likely going to need to be patient to unlock big wins, but your bankroll should stay mostly intact, thanks to regular smaller wins.
- 200 spins at $2.00 per spin on all lines
- Result: $5.00 loss
- Biggest wins: $21.00, $7.50, $5.00, $5.00
Playing Starburst on Demo Mode
Choosing a new slot game can be costly if you sink your bankroll into a game you end up not liking. Instead, you should consider free play first. By choosing the Starburst demo, you can try the game before you spend your own money.
Test the stake amount across as many spins as you want without risking your finances. Remember, if you want to be able to cash out your winnings, you’ll need to play the full Starburst real money game.
Playing Starburst with Bonus Money
If you deposit into a casino site for the first time, you could receive a welcome bonus. Promotions often include a deposit match and/or free spins:
- Casino free spins: You get a number of freebies to use on a popular slot or slots chosen by the casino. If you want to play Starburst, casino free spins will only work on a game the casino picks.
- Casino cash: From a minimum deposit you can receive a percentage match in casino cash. This is a good option because you can choose which slot to use your bonus on.
Play Starburst for Real Money
If you want to make the most of the Starburst slot, you really need to play for real money. Yes, there are plenty of benefits when playing Starburst free, but the positives of real money play are hard to ignore. Alongside accessing casino bonuses, you can also cash out the winnings you make from the game.
Starburst Pros and Cons
Here’s a summarized overview of the main strengths and weaknesses of the Startburst slot.
- One of the most popular online slots ever
- Simple and accessible gameplay
- Starburst Wild reels feature
- Delivers regular payouts
- Beautiful game design
- Has a small maximum win
- No free spins bonus
Starburst Summary
Starburst is a slot that is worthy of its iconic statues. While one of the world’s most popular online slots may not necessarily be the best slot game of all time, it gets really close thanks to its broad appeal.
Whether you are a beginner learning the ropes or an experienced player looking for high-octane gameplay, the Starburst slot checks all the boxes. No matter if you are playing for free or real money, try Starburst at one of our partner online casinos to enjoy a generous welcome bonus.
Our Score: 5/5