
Starburst Slot Review
Starburst is one of NetENT’s most successful slots and arguably the most played slot ever.
Launched in 2012, this 5 reel, 10 payline slot has become iconic in the online slot world largely due to its simplicity and slick gameplay. If you’ve signed up for any online casino in recent times, you are most likely to have seen free spin offers for this game as part of a welcome package.
The slot comes with a respectable RTP of 96.09% and is classed as low in terms of volatility– meaning you’ll probably get a lot of smaller wins before hitting a bigger win. This could make it more appealing to new slot players, or those with a smaller bankroll. You can play Starburst from just 10p per spin, all the way to £100, and the slot has a max win of 5,000 x.
So how does a game that is so simple, have such widespread appeal, and is it really that good? Let’s find out in our Starburst slot review!
%
Starburst Overall Rating
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Starburst Slot Review At a Glance
Name
Starburst
Bet Size
10p to £100
Provider
NetENT
Paylines
5 Reels, 10 Paylines
Theme
Space
RTP
96.09%
Free Spins
Re-spins Only
Volatility
Low
Starburst Slot Stakes & Stats
The Starburst slot has 5 reels, with 3 rows and 10 paylines. Winning combinations are made by matching symbols on at least 3 adjacent reels, but unusually, wins can be created in either direction ie left to right, or right to left. Most casinos will allow bet sizes from 10p to £100, but the paylines are fixed so you will always be playing with the 10.
The RTP on Starburst is 96.09%, which is about average, and respectable for an online slot. The game is classed as having low volatility which should mean you get a decent and even spread of wins. You will probably find that these are on the small side, and patience will be required for the bigger wins. Starburst does have a low max win of 500 x per spin, but that’s in keeping with its volatility.
In terms of functionality, you’ll find the game is equipped with autoplay, quick spin, and the ability to use the space bar to spin. However, be aware that these features will vary by country depending on local gambling regulations.
Starburst doesn’t have any scatters or bonus features as such, but instead, the game focuses on the Starburst symbol which is wild and expands to the whole reel. More on that later though.
Bonus Features
Unlike other NetENT slots, Starburst only has one bonus feature and that comes in the form of re-spins. Fortunately, with its low volatility, you’ll find these come along regularly. The re-spins occur when you land a Starburst symbol on reels 2, 3, or 4, and you’ll see the symbol expand to fill the reel. This then becomes wild and you collect whatever win that generates before the re-spin is triggered. The Starburst symbol becomes sticky, and may or may not lead to another win. However, it can also lead to a second or even third Starburst symbol. If that happens, you’ll be treated to another re-spin to a maximum of 3.
It is possible to land a Starburst symbol that doesn’t generate a win, and the same is true for the following re-spin. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often and you’ll usually win something. However, this is where the low variance becomes apparent as the wins are generally small.
The Starburst Slot
Writing the review for Starburst was a bit of a strange one for me and although I have played it once before many years ago, I think it may only have been for around 30 seconds before I discovered there was no bonus feature. I decided it wasn’t for me, and I don’t ever recall going back to it. It was therefore difficult to start from an objective point of view. What I did know before playing Starburst was that there are many thousands of people worldwide who search for the game each month. So with an open mind, I’ve played it a few times for this review to see why it’s so popular.
There’s no denying that the game looks great despite being several years old. It has an outer space theme which is basic but very well drawn, and you get the immediate sense that the slot will be relaxing to play. There are no annoying bells and whistles, and it’s simple to control and understand. Unfortunately, (for me at least,) that’s where the problem is. I found that there just wasn’t enough to keep me interested. Starburst is low variance, and without a bonus, all that really happens is you just find yourself sitting there clicking away without anything to look forward to. In the three sessions that I played to create this review, I left with pretty much what I started with. My balance would dip, then recover and repeat. That is one good point at least because if you did end up losing money on this game, you wouldn’t lose quickly!
Re-spins occurred countless times, but I only once managed to land a second Starburst symbol to gain a fairly decent win. For the most part, though, the wins were small and just seemed to maintain my starting balance.
Starburst is relaxing to play and it still holds up well to more recent slots. However, I found it just a little bit too boring for my liking. Having said that, I do think it would be ideal for someone new to online slots, or someone who has a less reckless approach to gambling than me! It would also be a good choice if you found your bankroll dwindling after playing something else and wanted to try to recover a bit.
So with all that in mind, I’ll pull it apart some more and give you my verdict!
Starburst Slot Review Summary
%
Theme
%
Soundtrack
%
Gameplay
%
Entertainment Value
Theme
The Starburst slot is completely different to other offerings from NetENT. Whilst I can’t think of one that isn’t graphically impressive, Starburst differs in its simplicity. The player interface is themed on outer space, and the gem symbols that make up most of the board give a futuristic and star-like feel. I’m not quite sure why they’ve also used a Bar and 7 symbols, but it seems to work nonetheless.
You’ll see part of a planet that forms the background which also has a purple hue to it. For a space-type theme, NetENT seems to have made this work and overall they have created something rather unique. There really isn’t anything more I can say about the appearance of the slot except that if you take that one factor alone, NetENT has created something that feels special and also enjoyable to look at. I would therefore give the theme element a decent score.
Soundtrack
Another area I feel NetENT has excelled with Starburst is the soundtrack. They have created something unique for this one, unlike the Gun’s N’ Roses slot for example, where they have used licensed music. You will find the music quite calming and subtle, which lends well to the visual aspect of the slot. The music is synth in its style and definitely has a futuristic vibe to it. Most importantly, it shouldn’t get on your nerves, and it shouldn’t be something that gets stuck in your head afterwards.
You will hear the win noises of this game frequently, and the paylines flash along the screen. This is where you’ll find it gets louder, but once again it adds to the feel of the slot, and you shouldn’t find it irritating. Due to the simple overall nature of the slot, you won’t be overpowered by lots of different sounds as there’s not really much to attach them to! Sadly, this is where I feel Starburst starts to let itself down. However, from a soundtrack point of view alone, it’s another solid score from me.
Gameplay
I don’t think I’ve written a slot review yet where the gameplay and entertainment value are as closely linked as they are with Starburst. This is purely down to the fact that very little happens!
I will therefore deal with the gameplay element based just from a technical point of view. Starburst is pleasant to play. The reels spin quickly enough without engaging the quick spin feature, and the graphics and animations are smooth. In fact, the overall gameplay is smooth and there’s little to complain about in that respect. When you win, you’re treated to bursts of light and highlighted paylines. The game will also tell you if you’ve scored a ‘Combo, Super Combo, or Mega Combo.’ Don’t forget, you can also win both ways which adds some value to the gameplay. These are all nice touches that complement the theme and add a little excitement too…Although I think I might be slightly generous talking about excitement.
You will find the game easy to use and understand which is always a plus for me as I play slots to relax, not study. Based on all of that, I would give the gameplay a solid score if it wasn’t so closely linked to the entertainment value. You can probably guess where I’m going with this…
Entertainment Value
So we know the Starburst slot doesn’t have a bonus feature as such, and herein lies the problem. It’s fine if you’re happy to spin away the reels whilst being hypnotised by the game, but if you’re looking for excitement then you’re unlikely to find it here unless you lead a very dull life!
Not having a bonus keeps things simple, but in my opinion, it simply doesn’t work with the low volatility. This is because the slot provides you with very little from the outset. You know the big wins will be harder to come by, and without the bonus to get you there, it may well become very boring very quickly. Put simply, you could do much better and this is where the score should rightly plummet in my opinion.
Conclusion
We started with a great theme and a very well-executed soundtrack. We then ended up at gameplay that only really works from a technical point of view. The game is severely let down by the lack of a proper bonus and there’s nothing much else to add to the entertainment value.
I would therefore only recommend the Starburst slot if you are looking for a more cautious slot session, and I would definitely recommend leaving if you found yourself in profit because it isn’t really worth the effort sticking around to win more.
If you’re looking for a low volatility slot that has much more going on, then check out my review of Mega Moolah.
Where You Can Play The Starburst Slot
T's&C's apply. New players only. Opt-in & deposit £10, £25 or £50 within 7 days. Wagering limits apply. 25 wager-free spins x10p to added to Big Bass Splash with each qualifying deposit. BeGambleAware.org
T's&C's apply. New UK players only. Opt-in required. 20 Bonus Spins on “Sahara Riches Cash Collect” and 100% Deposit Bonus up to £25 on first deposit. Min. deposit £10. BeGambleAware.org
T's&C's apply. New players only. Min deposit £10. 100% up to £100 + 30 Spins on Reactoonz. Bonus funds + spin wins separate to cash funds and subject to 35x wagering requirement. BeGambleAware.org
More Online Slot Reviews
Jump To
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Full T's & C's Welcome Bonus only available to new players making a minimum deposit of £10- £200. Welcome offer can be used only once & must be activated within 30 calendar days. Wagering limits apply. Playing at Videoslots.com is restricted to persons over the age of 18 and so are our offers. Play responsibly.
Full T's & C's Welcome Bonus only available to new players making a minimum deposit of £10- £200. Welcome offer can be used only once & must be activated within 30 calendar days. Wagering limits apply. Playing at Videoslots.com is restricted to persons over the age of 18 and so are our offers. Play responsibly.
Starburst Slot Stakes & Stats
The Starburst slot has 5 reels, with 3 rows and 10 paylines. Winning combinations are made by matching symbols on at least 3 adjacent reels, but unusually, wins can be created in either direction ie left to right, or right to left. Most casinos will allow bet sizes from 10p to £100, but the paylines are fixed so you will always be playing with the 10.
The RTP on Starburst is 96.09%, which is about average, and respectable for an online slot. The game is classed as having low volatility which should mean you get a decent and even spread of wins. You will probably find that these are on the small side, and patience will be required for the bigger wins. Starburst does have a low max win of 500 x per spin, but that’s in keeping with its volatility.
In terms of functionality, you’ll find the game is equipped with autoplay, quick spin, and the ability to use the space bar to spin. However, be aware that these features will vary by country depending on local gambling regulations.
Starburst doesn’t have any scatters or bonus features as such, but instead, the game focuses on the Starburst symbol which is wild and expands to the whole reel. More on that later though.
Starburst Slot Review At a Glance
Name
Starburst
Paylines
5 Reels, 10 Paylines
Bet Size
10p to £100
RTP
96.09%
Provider
NetENT
Theme
Space
Free Spins
Re-spins only
Volatility
Low
The Starburst Slot
Writing the review for Starburst was a bit of a strange one for me and although I have played it once before many years ago, I think it may only have been for around 30 seconds before I discovered there was no bonus feature. I decided it wasn’t for me, and I don’t ever recall going back to it. It was therefore difficult to start from an objective point of view. What I did know before playing Starburst was that there are many thousands of people worldwide who search for the game each month. So with an open mind, I’ve played it a few times for this review to see why it’s so popular.
There’s no denying that the game looks great despite being several years old. It has an outer space theme which is basic but very well drawn, and you get the immediate sense that the slot will be relaxing to play. There are no annoying bells and whistles, and it’s simple to control and understand. Unfortunately, (for me at least,) that’s where the problem is. I found that there just wasn’t enough to keep me interested. Starburst is low variance, and without a bonus, all that really happens is you just find yourself sitting there clicking away without anything to look forward to. In the three sessions that I played to create this review, I left with pretty much what I started with. My balance would dip, then recover and repeat. That is one good point at least because if you did end up losing money on this game, you wouldn’t lose quickly!
Re-spins occurred countless times, but I only once managed to land a second Starburst symbol to gain a fairly decent win. For the most part, though, the wins were small and just seemed to maintain my starting balance.
Starburst is relaxing to play and it still holds up well to more recent slots. However, I found it just a little bit too boring for my liking. Having said that, I do think it would be ideal for someone new to online slots, or someone who has a less reckless approach to gambling than me! It would also be a good choice if you found your bankroll dwindling after playing something else and wanted to try to recover a bit.
So with all that in mind, I’ll pull it apart some more and give you my verdict!
Bonus Features
Unlike other NetENT slots, Starburst only has one bonus feature and that comes in the form of re-spins. Fortunately, with its low volatility, you’ll find these come along regularly. The re-spins occur when you land a Starburst symbol on reels 2, 3, or 4, and you’ll see the symbol expand to fill the reel. This then becomes wild and you collect whatever win that generates before the re-spin is triggered. The Starburst symbol becomes sticky, and may or may not lead to another win. However, it can also lead to a second or even third Starburst symbol. If that happens, you’ll be treated to another re-spin to a maximum of 3.
It is possible to land a Starburst symbol that doesn’t generate a win, and the same is true for the following re-spin. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often and you’ll usually win something. However, this is where the low variance becomes apparent as the wins are generally small.
Starburst Slot Review Summary
%
Theme
%
Soundtrack
%
Gameplay
%
Entertainment Value
Theme
The Starburst slot is completely different to other offerings from NetENT. Whilst I can’t think of one that isn’t graphically impressive, Starburst differs in its simplicity. The player interface is themed on outer space, and the gem symbols that make up most of the board give a futuristic and star-like feel. I’m not quite sure why they’ve also used a Bar and 7 symbols, but it seems to work nonetheless.
You’ll see part of a planet that forms the background which also has a purple hue to it. For a space-type theme, NetENT seems to have made this work and overall they have created something rather unique. There really isn’t anything more I can say about the appearance of the slot except that if you take that one factor alone, NetENT has created something that feels special and also enjoyable to look at. I would therefore give the theme element a decent score.
Soundtrack
Another area I feel NetENT has excelled with Starburst is the soundtrack. They have created something unique for this one, unlike the Gun’s N’ Roses slot for example, where they have used licensed music. You will find the music quite calming and subtle, which lends well to the visual aspect of the slot. The music is synth in its style and definitely has a futuristic vibe to it. Most importantly, it shouldn’t get on your nerves, and it shouldn’t be something that gets stuck in your head afterwards.
You will hear the win noises of this game frequently, and the paylines flash along the screen. This is where you’ll find it gets louder, but once again it adds to the feel of the slot, and you shouldn’t find it irritating. Due to the simple overall nature of the slot, you won’t be overpowered by lots of different sounds as there’s not really much to attach them to! Sadly, this is where I feel Starburst starts to let itself down. However, from a soundtrack point of view alone, it’s another solid score from me.
Gameplay
I don’t think I’ve written a slot review yet where the gameplay and entertainment value are as closely linked as they are with Starburst. This is purely down to the fact that very little happens!
I will therefore deal with the gameplay element based just from a technical point of view. Starburst is pleasant to play. The reels spin quickly enough without engaging the quick spin feature, and the graphics and animations are smooth. In fact, the overall gameplay is smooth and there’s little to complain about in that respect. When you win, you’re treated to bursts of light and highlighted paylines. The game will also tell you if you’ve scored a ‘Combo, Super Combo, or Mega Combo.’ Don’t forget, you can also win both ways which adds some value to the gameplay. These are all nice touches that complement the theme and add a little excitement too…Although I think I might be slightly generous talking about excitement.
You will find the game easy to use and understand which is always a plus for me as I play slots to relax, not study. Based on all of that, I would give the gameplay a solid score if it wasn’t so closely linked to the entertainment value. You can probably guess where I’m going with this…
Entertainment Value
So we know the Starburst slot doesn’t have a bonus feature as such, and herein lies the problem. It’s fine if you’re happy to spin away the reels whilst being hypnotised by the game, but if you’re looking for excitement then you’re unlikely to find it here unless you lead a very dull life!
Not having a bonus keeps things simple, but in my opinion, it simply doesn’t work with the low volatility. This is because the slot provides you with very little from the outset. You know the big wins will be harder to come by, and without the bonus to get you there, it may well become very boring very quickly. Put simply, you could do much better and this is where the score should rightly plummet in my opinion.
Conclusion
We started with a great theme and a very well-executed soundtrack. We then ended up at gameplay that only really works from a technical point of view. The game is severely let down by the lack of a proper bonus and there’s nothing much else to add to the entertainment value.
I would therefore only recommend the Starburst slot if you are looking for a more cautious slot session, and I would definitely recommend leaving if you found yourself in profit because it isn’t really worth the effort sticking around to win more.
If you’re looking for a low volatility slot that has much more going on, then check out my review of Mega Moolah.
Where You Can Play The Starburst Slot
T's&C's apply. New players only. Opt-in & deposit £10, £25 or £50 within 7 days. Wagering limits apply. 25 wager-free spins x10p to added to Big Bass Splash with each qualifying deposit. BeGambleAware.org
T's&C's apply. New UK players only. Opt-in required. 20 Bonus Spins on “Sahara Riches Cash Collect” and 100% Deposit Bonus up to £25 on first deposit. Min. deposit £10. BeGambleAware.org
T's&C's apply. New players only. Min deposit £10. 100% up to £100 + 30 Spins on Reactoonz. Bonus funds + spin wins separate to cash funds and subject to 35x wagering requirement. BeGambleAware.org