Overview Starburst is a classic NetEnt-designed online casino slot machine that has been around since 2012. The game’s popularity stems from its simplistic yet engaging gameplay, visually appealing design, and impressive payout potential. Over the years, Starburst play has become one of the most recognizable and beloved slots in the industry.
Theme The theme of Starburst revolves around space exploration, with a vibrant color scheme that evokes feelings of cosmic wonder. The game’s background is set against a starry night sky, complete with twinkling stars and glowing planets. While the graphics are not overly complex or intricate, they add to the overall ambiance and charm of the game.
Design The design of Starburst is refreshingly simple, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. The reels consist of seven colorful gems – purple, blue, yellow, green, orange, pink, and red – which are adorned with sparkly stars. The paytable icons feature stylized versions of these gems, each with its own payout value. To the right of the reels is a set of buttons for adjusting coin denomination and setting automatic spins.
Symbols The symbols in Starburst fall into two categories: high-paying gems and low-paying diamonds (10c and 20c). The gemstones are divided into three groups – orange, yellow, green, purple, blue, red, and pink – each with its own payout value ranging from 0.4 to 32 times the total bet for a single spin.
- High-Paying Gems:
- Orange: 2x, 5x, or 20x the stake
- Yellow: 3x, 7x, or 30x the stake
- Green: 3x, 8x, or 32x the stake
- Purple: 4x, 9x, or 35x the stake
- Blue: 5x, 10x, or 38x the stake
- Red: 6x, 12x, or 40x the stake
- Pink: 7x, 15x, or 45x the stake
Payouts The payouts for each gemstone are based on a combination of matching symbols that appear anywhere on adjacent reels. If three or more identical gems line up from left to right (beginning with reel one), you win.
Wild Symbols Starburst does not feature traditional wild symbols, but the diamond scatter icon can replace any symbol except free spins and star scatter icons.
Scatters The Star Scatter is represented by a stylized five-pointed star. Landing three or more scatters anywhere on the reels triggers free spin mode. Note that these are distinct from the regular free spins that occur during re-spins (see below).
Bonus Features
- Re-Spins : A feature triggered when any gem symbol appears, starting a new series of free spins.
- During Re-Spins:
- All gem symbols become sticky and remain on screen for as long as the Re-Spins mode is active
- Additional re-spins are initiated with every gem that lands on reels 2 to 4
- During Re-Spins:
Free Spins Landing three or more Star Scatters initiates a series of free spins, which can range from six to twenty-eight rounds (three scatters offer six rounds, four give ten, and so forth).
- Free Spin Multiplier : Wins in Free Spins are multiplied by two
- Respin Trigger : Any gem symbol that appears during Free Spins starts the Re-Spins feature
Return-to-Player (RTP) Starburst’s RTP has been reported at 96.1% over various studies, although this might vary depending on jurisdiction and local regulations.
Volatility NetEnt rates Starburst as a low-moderate volatility game, suggesting relatively frequent but smaller wins compared to high-volatility slots with rare yet potentially large payouts.
Betting Range Players can adjust their bet from 0.10 to 100 in real-money mode per spin or in demo versions up to the specific jurisdiction’s limits for NetEnt games (e.g., maximum bets may be capped at $25). Note that these stakes might change depending on where you play, so check the game settings before playing.
Max Win The total jackpot potential is 50 times the bet amount. While this limit can seem somewhat modest compared to other modern slots with much higher max win amounts (such as progressive jackpots), it remains an attractive option for those looking for potentially frequent but significant wins.
Gameplay Experience
- Auto-Spin : Starburst supports NetEnt’s automated spinning feature, which allows players to set a specific number of consecutive spins and the stop condition.
- High Definition Graphics (HD) : Starburst was initially available in HD format before switching exclusively to mobile-first development. It features a range of graphics optimization techniques that take advantage of varying screen sizes.
Mobile Play As mentioned earlier, NetEnt’s focus on developing games for multiple platforms means Starburst is highly accessible and visually appealing across both desktops (older browsers included) and smartphones running iOS or Android operating systems. As an older yet optimized slot machine designed specifically with mobile gaming in mind from the beginning (or at least as soon as 2012 when these advancements began to mature), its quality does not sacrifice depth for smaller screens, resulting in a well-rounded player experience across most devices.
Player Experience Given Starburst’s relatively low volatility, simplicity of gameplay and straightforward mechanics provide both seasoned and amateur players with opportunities to land small wins regularly. While higher rollers seeking larger maximum stakes might find some limitations compared to other slots available on the market today, this also extends its appeal as an attractive option for casual gaming or even a learning platform where players can better understand and feel comfortable playing slot games.
Overall Analysis Starburst has been around since 2012 but remains a highly popular choice within online gaming communities due in part to its intuitive layout, interesting symbols, relatively frequent free spin generation, engaging bonus round possibilities with sticky re-spins, overall RTP of almost 96.1%, and the attractive max win potential at $50 (the theoretical maximum amount that can be won from any one game) relative to what was likely an investment worth placing on a high-stakes, medium-probability wager made in good faith based upon statistical information about each possible outcome. The slot machine is relatively volatile due to its focus more so toward allowing the user experience with numerous small payouts as part of the total gaming process rather than trying aggressively for higher jackpots every few rounds which it often achieves but sometimes falls short.
It would be interesting to compare this result against other NetEnt-developed slots with unique gameplay and visual mechanics, as their success in recent years has been undeniable.