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
Since its debut in 2012, Starburst has become one of the most widely recognized slots. Online casinos continue to offer free spins for this five-reel, three-row game with ten paylines in bonus packages, reflecting its enduring popularity.
This review examines the appeal of Starburst, its easy-to-follow yet engaging gameplay, its features and key details for players. The game is listed with a 96.09% RTP, low variance, wins in both directions and a maximum win of 500x the stake.
Starburst Slot Theme & Story
Starburst does not need an elaborate backstory; its appeal is mainly in the gameplay and bonus features. The Starburst slot machine has bright visuals and a starry presentation, set against a background that evokes the night sky or outer space. Vivid, upbeat colors complete the lively look.
NetEnt provides the gaming platform for Starburst, a slot with five reels and ten paylines. Its arcade-style design gives it a classic, recognizable character. The online slot first launched in 2012.
Graphics, Sound & Animation
Starburst stands out for its colorful palette and energetic tone. Its polished, appealing graphics reflect NetEnt’s reputation for strong visual design, a quality that is especially clear in this online slot.
The high-definition visuals may sometimes place extra demands on a browser, but they add plenty of detail. Vivid colors 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 visuals. The background track gradually builds anticipation as play continues, while bright, lively sound effects emphasize key moments. The presentation reflects the care and effort the team put into the game.
Top Casinos to Play Starburst
Starburst Slot Gameplay
Find Starburst at an online casino and you’ll find a game that’s easy to learn while still offering winning potential. Its simple structure is accessible, yet each spin offers enough activity to make the gameplay worth a closer look.
Starburst has five reels, three rows, ten paylines, and wins in both directions. Winning combinations can form from right to left as well as in the usual left-to-right direction. To win, land at least three matching symbols along one of the ten paylines, starting from either the first or last reel.
Seven symbols appear on the reels, including the distinctive Starburst Wild Symbol. The Bar is the highest-paying regular symbol, with a five-symbol combination awarding 250x the stake.
These are the listed rewards 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 & Free Spins
Starburst keeps its features to a minimum. There are no conventional free spins, multipliers, or many of the newer slot mechanics. That simplicity is part of the game’s appeal, though. Its main feature is an expanding-wild re-spin that adds excitement without making the rules hard to follow.
Starburst Wild Symbols & Re-Spins
Starburst’s special Wild symbol triggers the feature and appears only on the middle reels. Like other wilds, it substitutes for regular paying symbols when it creates or improves a win. When it lands, the Wild expands to cover its entire reel, creating one large wild reel and potentially one or more wins. The feature then continues.
The reel with the Wild locks in place while the other reels get free spins. Any additional wilds that land during those spins also expand to cover their reels and trigger another re-spin, locking multiple reels full of wilds. If Wilds land on the remaining middle reel during the third spin, all three middle reels can lock as fully wild. The original review describes this as a strong way to create winning combinations and sizable rewards, though every outcome is random.
Starburst Bet Sizes, RTP & Variance
Starburst’s stated RTP is 96.09%, which the review describes as broadly in line with the iGaming industry average. Since the RNG distributes returns randomly, this percentage is a long-run theoretical measure, not a session guarantee: over time, the game is described as returning 96.09% of the amount wagered. The Starburst online slot is also presented as less volatile than many games at an online casino. This may mean wins occur more often, but individual wins can still be smaller than the total bet.
Choose your stake before spinning Starburst. The total betting range is from a minimum of 0.01 to a maximum of 100.00, allowing players to select a suitable wager. 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 apply the maximum available wager.
Starburst Betting Tip: Practice 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 fits your budget.
Starburst also offers Auto-Play, which spins the reels automatically. The standard settings allow 10 to 1000 automatic spins, so play can continue while you do something else. You can also set Auto-Play to stop after any win, when a single win exceeds a set amount, or when your balance rises or falls by a set amount.
Playing the Starburst Slot
The original review described returning to Starburst as an enjoyable experience and noted its status as an iconic online slot. Its specs may seem modest next to newer casino games, but its popularity has lasted. The account linked its low variance with more frequent wins, although those wins may be smaller than prizes in higher-variance slots. The review also pointed to the small feature set and low maximum win as evidence that Starburst favors simplicity over complexity.
The review cited several reasons for Starburst’s enduring popularity. The online slot is easy to understand, with no confusing reel mechanics or complicated bonus rounds. Its Wilds feature and re-spins, along with wins in both directions, offer the possibility of worthwhile prizes. This accessible mix helps explain why casinos often include Starburst in free-spin offers, but no result is guaranteed.
Comparing Starburst with Other Slots
Comparing slots with similar features, play styles, and mechanics can help bring their differences into focus. Few games rival Starburst in popularity, though several are worth mentioning. A direct gameplay comparison with Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, and Gonzo's Quest is limited, since each uses a different format despite its own following.
- Starburst vs. Starburst XXXtreme
The closest comparison is Starburst’s sequel, Starburst XXXtreme. Though the games look alike, share a name, and both pay in either direction, 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 win sizes during re-spins while also changing the risk level.
The two Starburst games suit different preferences. The original is a fit for a more casual style of slot play, while the sequel targets players seeking higher risk and greater potential rewards. Choose based on the volatility level that suits your preferred style of play.
- Starburst and Other Similar Slots
After Starburst’s success, other iGaming developers made their own versions. This kind of imitation is common in the industry, but 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’s one alternative, though the original review found its graphics and gameplay less engaging than Starburst’s.
Blueprint Gaming's Star Spinner is another similar option. It features expanding Wild symbols that fill their reels and uses free spins as a main bonus round. Despite the similarities, the original review describes Starburst as the standout game in this style, rather than suggesting every alternative is equally compelling.
Our Take on Starburst
The review’s conclusion praises Starburst’s visuals, sound effects, and detailed graphics. Its low volatility and stated RTP may appeal to casual slot players, while the uncluttered design makes the gameplay easy to follow. The presentation is polished and its enduring popularity is notable, but neither appearance nor RTP can guarantee 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, specializing in online casino reviews, slot game analysis, and player safety assessments. Their expertise includes casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms, and withdrawal policies. Combining hands-on reviews with independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based coverage to help players understand gambling platforms, their features, and possible risks.
