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Starburst Slot Review 2025 – RTP, Demo, Bonus Features & Guide
Starburst by NetEnt is a piece of iGaming history. Released in 2012, this cosmic 5x3, 10-payline slot became an instant classic and cemented NetEnt’s name as industry royalty. As someone who’s spent more than a decade spinning reels, I’ve returned to Starburst countless times. Let’s fire up the engines, drift past the moon, and break down why Starburst is still one of the most played online slots.
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Starburst slot review
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Starburst Slot Review
Starburst Slot Review
The moment you open Starburst, you’re pulled into a galactic adventure. Earth fades into the distance, and you’re surrounded by shimmering gems floating in zero gravity. Unlike modern feature-packed slots, Starburst strips it back with 5 reels, 3 rows, and just 10 paylines.
I love the simplicity of its signature feature, the Starburst Wilds. They only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, but when they do, they expand to fill the reel and lock in place while the other reels respin. You can chain up to 3 consecutive respins, and if multiple wilds appear, wins can just skyrocket.
Starburst is designed to keep you engaged with frequent small wins, but you’ll still have a chance at juicy multipliers courtesy of the wilds.
Slot Developer
NetEnt, founded in 1996 in Sweden by Pontus Lindwall, is the powerhouse behind Starburst. This provider is known for their world-class animations and innovative mechanics and is behind legendary titles like Gonzo’s Quest, Fruit Shop, and the millionaire-maker Mega Fortune.
With over 200 games released and licenses in major markets like the UK and Malta, NetEnt is a well-respected provider. Their slots are audited by eCOGRA to ensure fairness. In 2020, they were acquired by Evolution Gaming for over $2 billion but still produce games under the NetEnt brand.
Theme and Storyline
Starburst’s theme is cosmic escapism. Imagine gazing down at Earth, sailing past the moon, and plunging deeper into interstellar space in search of precious gems. Also, for me, the calming techno soundtrack acts like a meditative guide as I mine for sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and golden bars floating in the void.
Reels, Rows, Paylines
Reels, Rows, Paylines Starburst
Starburst runs on a 5x3 grid with 10 fixed paylines. Wins pay both ways, left-to-right and right-to-left, doubling your chances. When you land 3 or more matching symbols, the gems burst with neon light and fill the screen with starry effects.
RTP & Volatility
Starburst has a fixed RTP of 96.09%, which is fairly standard. The game is low volatility, meaning you’ll see frequent small wins rather than rare monstrous payouts.
Betting Range
Betting Range startburst
You can spin Starburst for as little as $0.10 or go up to $100 per spin. Bet the maximum to scoop the 50,000 coins top prize!
Max Win Potential
The maximum win in Starburst is 500x your stake, so on a $1 spin, that’s $500.
Jackpot Element
There’s no progressive or fixed jackpot in Starburst. This slot is all about slow and steady prizes.
Graphics & Sound
Starburst animations might be over a decade old, but they still hold up beautifully. Each gem sparkles with sharp neon colors, while the cosmic background will have you drifting through space. When wilds expand, beams of light shoot across the screen, filling the reels with energy.
The soundtrack is legendary. I adore a soothing and uplifting techno track that gives you the energy to explore the galaxy. It intensifies with each win and hits peak energy when Starburst Wilds lock in.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Simple gameplay
Expanding wilds with respins
Wins pay both ways
Relaxing graphics and soundtrack
Cons
No free spins round
Low max win (500x)
Game Symbols and Payouts
| Symbol | 5 of a kind |
| Bar | 25x |
| 7 | 12x |
| Yellow Gem | 6x |
| Green Gem | 5x |
| Orange Gem | 4x |
| Blue Gem | 2.5x |
| Purple Gem | 2.5x |
Special Symbols
Starburst Wild: Appears on reels 2, 3, and 4 and expands to cover the reel and triggers a respin. Wilds remain sticky during respins. If you hit 3 wilds, you’ll pick up 3 respins.
Starburst Demo Version and Free Play
Starburst Demo Version and Free Play
Before playing for real money, I always recommend trying the Starburst demo. It gives you a feel for the flow, the respins, and the relatively steady RTP. After a few demo spins you’ll understand the hit percentage and how often respins trigger and know how to take advantage of them during real money play.
Starburst Bonus and Key Features
Unlike many modern slots, Starburst doesn’t bombard you with features. Instead, the action is centered around the wild respins.
Bonuses
Starburst Wild Respins: When a wild lands, it expands, locks, and grants 1 respin. Multiple wilds can stack, triggering up to 3 respins in a row.
Special Features
- Expanding Wilds: Cover entire reels when triggered.
- Both Ways Pays: Winning lines count from left-to-right and right-to-left.
How to Play Starburst for Real Money
Now it’s time to go mining for intergalactic gems. To play Starburst, follow these steps:
- 1
Choose a trusted online casino (betway is my favorite).
Choose a trusted online casino
- 2
Register and verify your account.
Register and verify your account.
- 3
Make a deposit ($10 minimum at most sites).
Make a deposit ($10 minimum at most sites).
- 4
Search “Starburst” in the slots section. Now just match 3+ gems across one of the 10 paylines to win a prize!
Search “Starburst” in the slots section
Mobile Play Experience
Mobile Play Experience starburst
When I tested Starburst on mobile, I quickly understood it was built for touch. The reels slide in cleanly with a single thumb tap, and the gems pop with a glassy shine that almost looks 3D on my OLED screen. I could tilt my phone slightly, and the colors still glowed without fading. Even when two wilds expanded and triggered back-to-back respins, the animation stayed butter-smooth.
Starburst Expert Tips & Strategies
Starburst Expert Tips & Strategies
Play Starburst like a pro by using my never-before-shared tips
Use Reverse Martingale Method - As Starburst is a low volatility slot with a 25% hit rate, it’s ideal for the Reverse Martingale method, where you increase your bet after every winning spin. I’ve gone on 5+ spin runs and ended up with 50x my original stake!
Set a Daily Loss Limit - Don’t be lulled in by the low volatility, Starburst can still drain your bankroll if you’re not careful. I like to set a 50x average bet limit and quit as soon as I hit it.
Go Bonus Hunting - Starburst is available at hundreds of online casinos. I’ve unlocked over $5,000 worth of free play by playing this NetEnt slot at 30+ different betting sites and bagging every offer they have.
Best Online Casinos for Playing Starburst
Are you looking for the top betting sites to play Starburst at? Then you can’t go wrong with any of these online casinos:
- Stake
- 1Win
- 1xBet
- Sportsbet.io
- BC.Game
- N1Bet
- betway
Even though I've played Starburst at over 30 online casinos, I keep returning to betway. They take care of you with a 100% up to $1,000 welcome bonus, and Starburst betting limits start from just $0.10. I also love that betway offers hundreds of other NetEnt slots like Gonzo’s Quest, Divine Fortune, and Narcos.
In terms of safety, betway is legit, as it’s licensed in Malta and certified by eCOGRA. Also, if you want to play Starburst on the go, betway’s iOS and Android app is a must-download!
Starburst Slot Alternatives
Starburst isn’t the only slot worth spinning from NetEnt. Try your luck on these games too:
Starburst XXXtreme - If you loved the original, you need to try the sequel, which features a boosted RTP, multipliers, and an insane 200,000x max win!
Gonzo’s Quest - Join a conquistador and search for El Dorado in one of the very first slots with cascading reels!
Fruit Shop Megaways - Open the ultimate fruit stall as you enjoy 117,649 ways to win and free spins that activate on any medium symbol win!
SportsBoom Suggests – Is Starburst Worth Playing?
Starburst is a rite of passage. The respin wilds, the calming music, and the neon gems all combine to create a timeless game that every slot player needs to try at least once in their life!
To go on an epic space adventure and play this award-winning NetEnt video slot, register at any of my recommended online casinos, pick up your welcome bonus, and see how many stacked wilds you can hit!
FAQs
Starburst has a 96.09% RTP and low volatility.
In Starburst, you can win up to 500x your stake
When wilds appear in Starburst, you’ll receive up to 3 respins. During respins, wilds expand and are sticky.
The minimum bet in Starburst is $0.10 per spin, and the maximum is $100.
Starburst doesn’t have any jackpots.
Starburst is available at Stake, betway, BC.Game, and hundreds of other online casinos.
Chad Nagel is a passionate sports fanatic who has worked in the sports and betting industry for over a decade. He spent most of his career as an editor-in-chief for Soccer Betting News, South Africa’s leading soccer betting newspaper, owned by Hollywoodbets. His articles have also featured in some of the most respected sports media platforms in the world, such as SPORTbible, Sports Illustrated, Combat Sports UK, and many others.
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