Written by
Will Wood
Starburst
NetEnt
Game Experience
4
Graphics
4.1
Theme & Symbols
3.5
Bonus Features
4
Overall rating
3.9
Starburst Slot Review
Starburst has been popular with players for over a decade now. The space theme, combined with innovative features, makes this a trailblazing slot.
Its status as a global casino staple means operators frequently choose it as the go-to game for welcoming new players with promotional deals. This widespread availability has cemented its reputation as one of the most widely recognized entry points into online casino gaming.
Slot Machine Overview
While modern games have taken the premise further, it’s the originator of some big features, and it’s still a fun experience. We’ve flown out into space to see whether we think Starburst is still one of the top-tier slots.
Notably, while NetEnt originally launched this classic in 2013, they completely overhauled its core architecture into a modern HTML5 framework. This ensures it runs natively across modern iOS and Android mobile platforms without losing its signature neon glow.
Pros
-
Expanding wilds -
Up to 3 respins available -
Paylines work both ways
Cons
-
The max win is only 500x the stake -
No traditional Free Spins bonus round -
Adjustable RTP ranges depending on the casino
Game Mechanics
When you first load up Starburst, it won’t look too different from any other standard 5×3 grid slot. However, the paylines hide a secret. There are 10 of them, and instead of paying exclusively from left to right, they pay both ways.
It means that if you land a win starting from the right-hand side of the reels, it will still count. This effectively doubles your chances of winning on every spin, making the 10-line setup function mathematically like a 20-line slot.
While it’s not quite on par with what Megaways and other all-ways slots offer, it’s still an innovative method.
It has low to medium volatility, which aligns with the 500x the stake maximum win. Crucially, the math model features a high hit frequency of 22.65%, meaning roughly 1 in every 5 spins yields a winning combination.
This minimizes extended dry spells, making it an ideal choice for clearing casino wagering requirements. There’s a respin feature available for the main bonus round, which is linked to the wild symbol.
How to Play Starburst with Crypto
Starburst Graphics and Playing Experience
Starburst has managed to remain timeless due to its graphical approach. All of the symbols have a simple style, but use lots of colors and shiny effects to make sure they stand out. Some games have more complex graphical styles, but the Starburst slot still looks great even when it’s over 10 years old.
You can play Starburst on any device, as it’s fully HTML5 compliant. It makes it simple to switch over to the mobile game from the desktop platform.
Betting Options
You’ll instantly spot the control bar in Starburst online. It gives access to everything in a single spot, so it’s easy to play.
You can start playing with $0.10 per spin, and the top stake is $100 per spin. When playing at top crypto casinos using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin, the NetEnt engine dynamically handles decimal betting to match token fluctuations.
Depending on the platform, your crypto may either be converted to a fiat balance upon loading or remain denominated in micro-tokens.
Symbols & Payouts
| Symbol | Payout |
|---|---|
| Purple Gem | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 0.5, 1, or 2.5 x the stake |
| Blue Gem | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 0.5, 1, or 2.5 x the stake |
| Orange Gem | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 0.7, 1.5, or 4 x the stake |
| Green Gem | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 0.8, 2, or 5 x the stake |
| Yellow Gem | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 1, 2.5, or 6 x the stake |
| 7 | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 2.5, 6, or 12 x the stake |
| Bar | 3, 4, or 5 of a kind = 5, 20, or 25 x the stake |
| Wild | Substitutes for standard symbols and expands |
Bonus Features
There’s a single bonus feature available in the Starburst slot. It’s available at all points in the base game and can trigger multiple times in a row.
Wild Respins
The wild symbol can only appear on the middle 3 reels (reels 2, 3, and 4). Whenever it lands, it will expand to fill the whole reel and award a respin with the wild locked in place.
- If another wild lands on one of the remaining middle 3 reels, that will also expand and lock, awarding another respin.
- If the final middle reel lands a wild during this respin, it will also lock and expand, awarding a final respin.
With all 3 middle reels fully wild for the final respin, you’re guaranteed a win across all 10 paylines. On top of this, it’s when you have the best chance to win the maximum payout of 500x the stake.
Starburst Compared to Similar Slot Machines
Mega Moolah: Although Mega Moolah has a different style from Starburst, it holds a similar level of regard with players. Both games were trailblazers for their time, and are still hugely popular today.
Gonzo’s Quest: Gonzo’s Quest is another influential game, except this time it’s due to cascading reels rather than paylines. It’s had a significant impact on games that came after, and like Starburst, is still popular with modern players.
Starmania: With lots of similarities in place, NextGen’s Starmania will look familiar to Starburst fans. Both games share a cosmic aesthetic, but Starmania boasts a significantly higher theoretical RTP of 97.87%, making it a stellar alternative.
Start Playing Bitcoin Starburst
BTC provides multiple benefits to players over using fiat currency. It’s much faster when making transactions, so you don’t have to wait for banks to process the payment. If you’ve managed to land a big win, it means you can get your winnings a lot quicker.
As many crypto casinos operate offshore, using Bitcoin for payments allows you to avoid extra costs from international transfers. With fiat, these costs can eat into any profits, making it less enjoyable when you win. Bitcoin is cheaper, providing a superior overall experience.
Top 3 Tips for Playing Starburst
1. Control Your Bankroll
Bankroll management is part of all successful slot gaming. If you go in too high for your budget, you can end up using it all way too quickly. While you can never guarantee you’ll hit the bonus round, budgeting for at least 100 spins will increase your chances of getting there.
2. Don’t Chase Losses
Sometimes you won’t have a good day. It’s best to accept this and walk away, rather than making additional deposits.
3. Know When to Walk Away
Walking away doesn’t just apply to losses. It can apply to wins, too. If you hit a big win, it’s possible you can lose it all if you continue playing. Set yourself a win target when you start, and if you hit it, walk away and be happy with your winnings.
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Final Verdict
Starburst prides itself on simplicity. While it was innovative when it first came out, it still took an accessible approach for its gameplay. This timeless nature of the gameplay and visuals is what’s helped it remain popular over a decade after its original release.
While it doesn’t have a huge maximum win available, Starburst can still provide lots of fun. The respin round is enjoyable every time it lands, and the paylines going both ways add excitement to every spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP and volatility of Starburst?
Starburst has a default RTP of 96.09%, and the volatility is low to medium.
Does Starburst have bonus features, free spins, or special rounds?
It doesn’t have a traditional Free Spins feature, but there’s a respin feature with expanding wilds on the middle reels.
What is the maximum win and bet range in Starburst?
You can spin with up to $100 per spin in Starburst. The maximum win is up to 500x the stake (50,000 coins), which is quite low by modern standards.
Is Starburst available on mobile?
Yes, Starburst is available on mobile. It’s been updated to be HTML5 compliant, so it works flawlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.
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