Starburst slot review
10.0

Starburst slot review

Maybe it’s the dazzling stars, or maybe it’s the multi-coloured Expanding Wilds. But in any case, Starburst is a game that gets you hooked from the first spin. This review covers every aspect of the Starburst game, including its features, bonuses, and much more. Let's see why it still remains a favourite with casino players. 

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    If you have ever played a few online slots, then you might already be familiar with Starburst – it’s nothing short of an ongoing legend on the online casino scene. Even though the slot was released over a decade ago, it remains popular to the day (and it even has a sequel!). In this Starburst slot review, we will have a look at the game, its features, the best casinos in the UK to spin it, and more.

    starburst banner

    Overview of NetEnt’s Starburst slot

    Before we dive into the review, let’s take a quick look at some of the slot’s technical details –

    GameStarburst
    Software providerNetEnt
    RTP96.09%
    Layout5×3
    Paylines10 (both ways)
    Betting range£0.10 to £100
    Maximum win500x your stake
    FeaturesExpanding Wilds, Respins, Win Both Ways
    Released in2012

    Starburst theme, graphics, and more

    Before we get into the gameplay and features, let’s understand what NetEnt’s Starburst looks like – as half of the fun is in the graphics. 

    • Theme: As you might already know, Starburst has an outer space theme. The jewel-studded grid is set against a dark backdrop that is sprinkled with twinkling and an occasional meteor shooting across. 
    • Graphics: Aside from the static graphics, the slot offers interesting animations like twinkling stars and shooting meteors. 
    • Sound effects: To hit the thematic trifecta, a slot game needs to have some bangers playing in the background. Starburst has upbeat music playing, which, along with the whirring of the reels and other sounds, help build a fun atmosphere.

    Starburst gameplay and features

    netent starburst review

    Half of Starburst’s charm lies in the gameplay. There are no fancy mechanics or complicated features. Instead, the gameplay is quite simple. In this section, we will have a look at the slot’s gameplay, features, as well as symbols and payouts.

    Let’s start with the basic gameplay of the slot –

    • As mentioned earlier, Starburst has a 5×3 set-up – so you have 5 reels and 3 rows, which is a classic and commonly used format for slots
    • The slot has 10 paylines, which have a unique “Win Both Ways” feature – so a winning combination can occur from left to right and right to left. This is unique because most slots have a left-to-right rule. 
    • To play the game, you have to adjust the bet amount and click on the spin button at the centre – and that’s all to the base game. And to win, players need to land three or more of the same symbol on a payline.

    Now, let’s look at the special features –

    stauburst screenshot

    The highlight here is the Expanding Wild feature, represented by the multi-coloured star-shaped gem. Here’s how the feature works –

    • Expanding Wilds: To start with, this wild symbol appears only on the reels 2, 3, and 4. When the wild symbol appears randomly, it expands, covers the whole reel, and converts it into a wild reel. 
    • Respins: The Starburst Wild expands and triggers a respin feature, which presents players with another chance to win. The expanding wild remains locked in place during the respin.
    • Additional respins: During the respins, if you land another Starburst Wild, it also expands to give you yet another respin. The good news is that this consecutive respin can happen up to 3 times – so we might get a screen with three fully wild reels that may lead up to a big win!

    Symbols and payouts

    Much like other online slots, Starburst has low-paying symbols, high-paying symbols, and some special symbols that trigger bonus features. 

    High-paying symbols

    starburst high paying symbols

    Low-paying symbols 

    starburst low paying symbols

    In addition to these regular symbols, Starburst also features special symbols like the multi-coloured Wild symbol. 

    Starburst RTP, volatility, and max win

    In this section, we will explain Starburst’s RTP, volatility, and more. 

    • Starburst has an RTP of 96.09%, which is slightly above the industry standard of 96%. This RTP of 96.09% is the default and the most common version. However, online casinos can choose from six different RTP levels that range from a low of 90.05% to a high of 99.06%. So before you start spinning, ensure that you check the RTP. 
    • NetEnt’s Starburst is a low-volatility slot, which means you’re likely to get frequent but smaller wins, which makes it a favourite with casual gamers, beginners, and pretty much anyone who doesn’t like to take high risks. 
    • As mentioned earlier, Starburst has a maximum win of 500x the stake. By today’s standards, a win of 500x may not seem like a lot. 

    Where to play Starburst slot?

    Considering that NetEnt is a well-established software provider that has collaborated with many online casinos in the UK, you should be able to play Starburst at any of the casino sites. Here are the top 5 online casinos in the UK that offer 

    CasinoWelcome bonusClaim the bonus
    CasumoUp to €300 + 50 Free SpinsVisit Casumo
    PlayOJO50 No-Wager Free SpinsVisit PlayOJO
    All British Casino10 Free Spins on NetEnt’s StarburstVisit All British
    MrQ30 Free Spins on your first depositVisit MrQ
    Pub Casino100% deposit match up to £100Visit Pub Casino

    There are several more licensed and reputable casinos that offer games from NetEnt. You can check out casino reviews produced by our team and find a good fit. 

    Play Starburst free

    Most online casinos let you try slot games for free. This means you should be able to play Starburst by NetEnt for free in the demo version. To load the Starburst demo, head over to a casino site that you’re signed up on, search for ‘Starburst’, and click on the ‘play demo’ option. This is a great way to check out a game for free before wagering your real money on it. 

    P.S. A lot of online casinos offer free spins bonus on Starburst, so you can also play the game with a bonus!

    Other slots like Starburst

    • Starburst XXXtreme (NetEnt): As mentioned earlier, Starburst gained massive popularity, which was enough to warrant a sequel.
    • Berryburst (NetEnt): This fruity slot offers a similar aesthetic to Starburst with its bright colours and cascading reels.

    Conclusion

    So, is the Starburst slot worth playing after all these years? Yes, it is! 

    As we were reviewing this slot, we felt that the graphics were slightly dated – especially when you place it next to newer slots that are 3D and feature cinematic cutscenes. Nonetheless, there are new slots with 2D graphics, so it depends on the player’s preferences.

    We loved the simple gameplay and features. There are no complex rules to trigger the bonus features, which is something that’d definitely appeal to casual players, beginners, or anyone who likes to keep things simple. 

    Finally, the 500x max win may not sound like a lot, especially now that we have slots with way bigger rewards. However, as Starburst has low volatility, it offers frequent wins. Plus, it has a high RTP, meaning you have a good chance of seeing a return on your investment.

    FAQs

    Where can I play the Starburst slot in the UK?

    You can play Starburst at any online casino in the UK that offers NetEnt’s games. Some of the notable names include All British Casino, PlayOJO, Casumo, LeoVegas, and more.

    Can I play NetEnt’s Starburst for free?

    Yes, you can play Starburst’s demo for free at online casinos that offer it or on NetEnt’s official website.

    Can I play Starburst on mobile?

    Yes, Starburst is optimised for mobile, so you can play it on the go without a hitch. 

    Does Starburst have free spins?

    No, the Starburst slot does not have a bonus feature that offers in-game free spins. However, some casinos, like the All British Casino, offer a free spins bonus that you can use on the slot.

    When was Starburst released?

    As mentioned in our guide, Starburst was released in 2012 by NetEnt.

    Can I get a Starburst bonus?

    Yes, as mentioned in our guide, a lot of casinos include free spins for Starburst in their bonuses.

    Starburst slot review
    10.0/10