Starburst is a 5-reel video slot game developed by NetEnt, one of the most renowned names in the online gaming industry. Released in 2012, this slot has since become an all-time favorite among players and critics alike, praised for its simplicity, excitement, play Starburst and generosity. In this detailed review, we’ll delve into every aspect of Starburst, covering its theme, design, symbols, payouts, features, volatility, RTP, and more.
Theme and Design
Starburst is set in a vibrant, celestial-themed environment, evoking the explosion of colorful stars across the sky. The background image depicts a star-filled night sky with fluffy clouds drifting lazily by. The reels themselves are framed in a simple yet elegant design, making it easy on the eyes to play for extended periods.
Symbols and Payouts
The game’s symbols include low-paying card values (9-A) and high-paying fruit icons (Sevens, Bars, Orbs). Each symbol has its unique payout table, with multipliers ranging from 1x-100x. The Sevens icon offers the highest single-symbol win at 50x while paying up to 10x for three in a row.
Wilds
There is no dedicated Wild symbol in Starburst; however, any of the five reel-winning combinations will re-trigger another set of free spins with expanding wilds that can cover entire reels. This mechanic significantly increases the winning potential during bonus rounds.
Scatters
The Star icon serves as a Scatter, and landing three or more on adjacent reels triggers up to 10 free spins. During this feature, only one type of winning combination is possible: an expanded Wild symbol filling any reel, allowing for even larger payouts.
Bonus Features
Starburst boasts a single bonus feature that sets it apart from other slots: the Expanded Wilds during Free Spins. As mentioned earlier, upon entering the free spins round with three or more Scatters, the first win created triggers a re-spin of adjacent reels until another winning combination is formed, further expanding wilds can lead to substantial wins.
Free Spins
Landing at least three Star Scatter icons grants 10 initial Free Spins. Additional Scatters will trigger an additional set of spins with enhanced multipliers on subsequent triggering combinations. Wins are added up and multiplied by the round’s multiplier – no cap exists here, so progressive jackpots can be reached.
RTP (Return to Player) & Volatility
The theoretical Return To Player for Starburst stands at 96.1%, ranking it as a high variance game due in part to its generous free spins bonuses and potential big wins during those bonus periods. Aiming for higher stakes and more frequent bonuses is essential to experiencing this slot’s full profitability.
Betting Range & Max Win
Stakes range from £0.01 per line up to an upper limit of £100, making it accessible to casual players while offering substantial win possibilities. Starburst has no set cap on its maximum payout; numerous reports of jackpot hits over £10k demonstrate the game’s capacity for high-stake wins.
Gameplay
The slot features 5 reels with a fixed number of lines, which can be played in one spin. Players are presented with ten different win combinations – five per row and two additional combinations with wilds or Scatters – making gameplay smooth yet unpredictable due to the potential for big payouts during free spins periods.
Mobile Play
Starburst has been optimized for mobile devices since its release in 2012, allowing players to experience this engaging slot on a range of smartphones. A responsive design provides seamless play without any graphics loss or decrease in performance when playing on smaller screens.
Player Experience & Overall Analysis
Starburst’s immense popularity stems from an engaging yet accessible gameplay style combined with generous payouts during bonus periods and the unique Expanded Wilds mechanic, creating opportunities for significant wins. Criticisms primarily focus on its limited volatility – resulting from high RTP rates compared to some of NetEnt’s other slots.
In conclusion, this slot machine stands out due to a captivating game environment combined with extensive gameplay mechanisms that reward players through re-triggers and larger payouts during free spins periods.