Return to player
96.1%
Minimum bet
0.01
Slot category
Video Slots
Volatility
Low
Number of reels
5
Progressive jackpot
No
Popularity
Maximum bet
100
Software provider
NetEnt
Bonus features
Yes
Paylines
10
Theme
Arcade
Starburst online slot game
Starburst has been one of the best-known slots for years, a notable achievement since it first appeared in 2012. Online casinos still include free spins for this five-reel, three-row, ten-payline game in bonus packages because it remains popular.
This review explores why Starburst continues to draw attention, covering its simple but engaging gameplay, available features and key points to know before playing. The game is listed with a 96.09% RTP, low variance, wins in both directions and a stated maximum win of 500x the stake.
Starburst Slot Theme and Story
Starburst has no elaborate backstory; its appeal rests mainly on the gameplay and bonus features. The slot machine features bright visuals and a star-filled backdrop evocative of a night sky or outer space. Upbeat, vivid colours complete its lively look.
NetEnt supplies the gaming platform for Starburst, a slot with five reels and ten paylines. Its arcade-inspired style gives it a classic, familiar feel. This online slot was first released in 2012.
Graphics, Sound and Animation
Starburst stands out for its vivid colour palette and energetic tone. Its polished, appealing graphics reflect NetEnt’s reputation for visual design, a focus that is especially apparent in this online slot.
The high-definition visuals can sometimes place extra demands on a browser, but they offer plenty of detail. Vivid colours and carefully finished artwork make Starburst’s presentation bright, distinctive and engaging.
Starburst’s audio is thoughtfully put together, with music and effects that complement the slot’s visual energy. The background track gradually builds anticipation as play continues, while lively sound effects add emphasis to key moments. The presentation reflects the care and work invested by the development team.
Top Casinos for Playing Starburst:
Starburst Slot Gameplay
Finding Starburst at an online casino means trying a game that is easy to learn and still offers winning potential. Its straightforward structure is accessible, with enough activity on each spin to make the gameplay worth a closer look.
Starburst has five reels, three rows and ten paylines, with wins possible in both directions. Winning combinations can form from right to left as well as from the usual left to right. A payout requires at least three matching symbols on one of the ten paylines, starting from either the first or last reel.
The reels feature seven symbols, including the distinctive Starburst Wild. Bar is the highest-paying regular symbol, with five matching symbols awarding 250x the stake.
The following rewards are listed for five-symbol combinations in Starburst:
- Bar: 250x
- Red Seven: 120x
- Yellow Gem: 60x
- Green Gem: 50x
- Red Gem: 40x
- Blue Gem: 25x
- Purple Gem: 25x
Starburst Bonus Features and Free Spins
Starburst keeps its feature selection deliberately small. Players seeking a standard free spins bonus, multipliers or several newer slot mechanics will not find them here. That simplicity is part of the game’s appeal. Its main feature is an expanding-wild re-spin that adds interest without making the rules hard to follow.
Starburst Wild Symbols and Re-Spins
Starburst’s special Wild symbol triggers its feature and appears only on the middle reels. Like other wilds, it substitutes for regular-paying symbols when it creates or improves a winning combination. When it lands, the Wild expands to cover its reel, forming one large wild and potentially creating one or more wins. The feature then continues.
The reel with the Wild locks in place while the other reels receive free spins. Further wilds landing during those spins also expand to cover their reels and trigger another re-spin, locking multiple reels with wilds. If Wilds reach the remaining middle reel on the third spin, all three middle reels may lock as fully wild. The original review presents this as a strong way to form winning combinations and earn sizeable rewards, though each outcome remains random.
Starburst Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance
Starburst’s stated RTP is 96.09%, described as broadly in line with the iGaming industry average. Since the RNG determines returns at random, this percentage is a theoretical long-term measure, not a promise for any session. Over time, the game is described as returning 96.09% of money wagered. The Starburst online slot is also presented as less volatile than many games at an online casino. This may result in more frequent wins, but individual wins can still be smaller than the total bet.
Choose your stake before spinning Starburst. The overall range is from a min bet of 0.01 to a max bet of 100.00, allowing players to select a wager that suits them. Adjust the coin value and bet level to set your total bet. Or use the Max Bet control beside the spin button to select the highest coin value and bet level and place the maximum available wager.
Starburst Betting Tip: Practise responsible bankroll management whenever you play slots, including Starburst. Set the coin value and bet level so your wager is 1-2% of your playing bankroll, and use max bet only if it is within your budget.
Starburst also offers Auto-Play, which spins the reels automatically. Standard settings range from 10 to 1000 spins, allowing play to continue while you do something else. Other controls can stop Auto-Play after any win, when a single win exceeds a set amount, or when your balance rises or falls by a set amount.
The Starburst Slot Playing Experience
The original review described returning to Starburst as enjoyable and observed that the game has become an iconic online slot. Its specifications may seem modest beside newer casino games, yet its popularity has lasted. In that account, low variance was associated with more frequent wins, though these can be smaller than rewards in higher-variance slots. The review also cited the limited features and low maximum win as evidence that Starburst favours simplicity over complexity.
The review also identified several reasons for Starburst’s enduring popularity. The online slot is easy to learn, with no confusing reel mechanics or complicated bonus rounds. Its Wilds feature and re-spins, alongside wins in both directions, create the possibility of worthwhile payouts. This accessible combination may help explain why casinos often include Starburst in free-spin offers, without guaranteeing any result.
Comparing Starburst with Other Slots
Comparing slots with similar features, styles and mechanics can clarify how they differ. Few games are as popular as Starburst, though several alternatives are worth noting. A direct gameplay comparison is difficult for Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush and Gonzo's Quest, since each uses a different structure despite having its own following.
- Starburst vs Starburst XXXtreme
The closest comparison is Starburst’s sequel, Starburst XXXtreme. The games look related, allow wins in both directions and share a name, but their profiles are nearly opposite. NetEnt shifted from low to extremely high volatility, raised the maximum win to 200,000x the stake and upgraded the Starburst Wild with a multiplier of up to 150x. These changes increase potential payouts during re-spins, while also changing the risk level.
The two Starburst games may suit different preferences. The original is aimed at more casual slot play, while the sequel targets players seeking greater risk and higher potential rewards. Your choice depends on the volatility level you prefer.
- Starburst vs Similar Slots
After Starburst became a major success, other iGaming developers created their own takes on the format. Imitation is common in the industry, though the results vary. One example is Play'n Go's Crystal Sun, which also pays both ways and uses sticky Wilds on the middle reels to trigger a re-spin. It is an alternative, but the original review found its graphics and gameplay less engaging than Starburst’s.
Blueprint Gaming's Star Spinner is another comparable game. It features expanding Wilds that fill their reels, with free spins as a key bonus round. Despite the similarities, the original review treated Starburst as the benchmark in this style, rather than suggesting all alternatives are equivalent.
Our View of the Starburst Slot
The review’s conclusion points to Starburst’s visuals, sound effects and detailed graphics. Its low volatility and stated RTP may appeal to casual slot players, while the uncluttered design keeps gameplay easy to follow. The presentation is polished and its lasting popularity is notable, but neither appearance nor RTP guarantees a win. Starburst is best viewed as a straightforward, visually distinctive slot—not a promise of profit.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
