- ✅ Straightforward gameplay
- ✅ Developed by a reputable, well-known provider
- ✅ Fantastic option for beginner players
- ❌ Single feature slot
- ❌ Low max win of 500x
In this Starburst slot game review, I’m investigating this most iconic of NetEnt’s pokies, a simple slot machine that has remained one of the most popular from the studio’s archives since its release in 2012. Played on a classic 5×3 reel set, this colourful pokie is easy on the eye, offers straightforward gameplay, and makes the perfect starter for new players.
Read on as we explore the wonders of slot Starburst to determine what makes this space-age slot so popular amongst Aussie players.
Editor’s Verdict on Starburst Pokie – 4.2/5 Stars
Starburst pokie machine is one of the most iconic games in online slots history. With its straightforward gameplay and low to medium volatility, it’s the ideal starting point for new players and is enjoyed equally by slots regulars.
While the features are limited, this is entirely by design and has proven massively successful for the developer. Starburst from NetEnt is a no-brainer for its 4.2/5 star rating.
Starburst Slot Pokie Theme
This entry-level slot has a sci-fi theme, with its glittering reels drifting through open space. This, combined with the classic gems, sevens, and bars, gives the title an overall retro vibe but with glorious, immersive graphics and animations.
The colours are bold, the symbols are expertly rendered, and the backing track perfectly suits the theme. Everything about this title, from its simplistic gameplay to its exemplary graphics, is a delight.
How to Play Starburst Pokie Online
To get started playing this legendary title, you’ll first need to find a Starburst Casino that is reliable and available to Australian players.
If you’re unsure where to begin, check out our list of recommended sites for inspiration; they’ve all been vetted by our team of casino experts and given the seal of approval.
When you’ve found the casino site for you, use the unique link on this site to be directed to the operator’s signup page, then follow these simple steps to play:
- Hit the sign-up link and follow the prompts to register for a new account today. Be sure to check what’s required to claim your welcome bonus to enjoy a little boost to your balance.
- Once you’ve signed up and logged in, go to the cashier to make your first deposit and claim your bonus.
- Visit the casino lobby and search for the Starburst slot. Then, hit the Play tile to launch the pokie.
- When the title opens, you’ll see the 5×3 reel set with the game controls underneath.
- Use the green buttons to select your coin value and bet level, then hit the spin button to start.
Payout Symbols
The Starburst online slot game showcases glittering gemstones on its reels, which appear alongside two premium symbols: a red seven in a blue circle and a gold BAR of classic slot machine fame.
The low-paying gems appear in purple, red, blue, green, and yellow, and offer payouts between 0.5x and 6.00x for matching three or more on consecutive reels from left to right along one of 10 fixed paylines. The top payer is the golden BAR, which pays out a top prize of 25x for matching five of a kind.
This straightforward single-feature pokie has only one bonus symbol: the Starburst Wild, a multicoloured star-shaped gem symbol that can appear only on the middle three reels.
In the paytable below, you can see the payouts you can expect when playing the pokie with a $1.00 per spin wager:
| Symbol | Match 3 | Match 4 | Match 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Gem | 0.50 | 1.00 | 2.50 |
| Blue Gem | 0.50 | 1.00 | 2.50 |
| Red Gem | 0.70 | 1.50 | 4.00 |
| Green Gem | 0.80 | 2.00 | 5.00 |
| Yellow Gem | 1.00 | 2.50 | 6.00 |
| Red Seven | 2.50 | 6.00 | 12.00 |
| Gold BAR | 5.00 | 20.00 | 25.00 |
Paytables & Winning Combinations
Given the simplicity of the gameplay, the excitement of this title largely depends on landing those payline wins. The paylines run from left to right on adjacent reels and are marked out on either side of the reel set.
The winning symbols will come to life whenever you hit a winning spin, and your payout total will flash up on the screen.
The paytable shows the payouts for hitting 3, 4, or 5-of-a-kind matches with the various reel symbols, from the lowest-paying purple gemstone to the golden BAR at the top of the paytable. These are displayed as a bet multiplier multiplied by your base bet to determine your reward.
Starburst Slot Bonus Features
The Starburst Wilds feature is the only bonus feature in this easy-to-understand pokie, and the sparkly Starburst Wilds are the only bonus symbols on the reels. You won’t find a Starburst Slot free spins game, but it’s honestly not needed as the fast-paced gameplay keeps you engaged right from the beginning.
Starburst Wilds
The 8-point multicoloured Starburst Wild symbol can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4 only. Whenever a wild lands, it will expand to cover the entire reel it occupies and trigger a respin of the remaining reels.
Wilds can substitute for regular pay symbols to help you create winning combos and earn payouts based on payline wins. If new wild symbols land following the respin, the wilds will expand, lock in place, and trigger another respin. This can occur up to three times in any one game round.
PERSONAL OPINION: Although Starburst only has the one bonus feature, it’s amazing how engaged I am with the gameplay, and the low variance means I hit payouts fairly frequently, which helps to add to the excitement of the game.
Starburst RTP & Volatility
If you aren’t familiar with these terms, it’s worth taking stock as these factors can help you understand the type of gameplay you can expect from a particular pokie.
Starburst has low volatility, which is what makes it such a great option for when you’re starting out or working with a limited budget.
The volatility indicates what to expect when playing the title. If a slot advertises low volatility, sometimes called variance, it is likely to award frequent payouts but for low-value amounts. Conversely, if a title is high volatility, it can take longer for you to trigger a win, but when you do, there is a good chance it will be for a higher amount.
The RTP of the Starburst pokie is 96.09%. RTP stands for ‘return to player’, which refers to the percentage of all wagers the title will eventually pay back out. In the case of Starburst, this means that for every $100 wagered on the game, $96.09 will be paid back out, and the remainder will go towards the operator’s house edge.
It is important to remember that a slot’s RTP is a theoretical figure determined based on long-term gameplay and does not guarantee an outcome for your gaming session.
Mobile usability & App
Nowadays, we’re all more likely to use our smartphones or tablets to play our favourite casino games. It’s heaps more user-friendly, and you have the convenience of playing when you’re on the move.
Starburst works perfectly well across all mobile devices, regardless of which operating system you’re using, so you can enjoy the pokie via a mobile casino app or your mobile browser.
How to Win Playing Starburst Slot
As a game of chance using RNG technology to determine outcomes, it’s not possible to employ any strategies to guarantee a winning session. RNG stands for random number generator, which means the pokie uses a mathematical algorithm to determine the results of each spin that is entirely independent of all previous or future rounds.
The best advice we can offer when playing Starburst is to remember this fact and keep it at the forefront of your mind to help manage your expectations. It’s important to gamble responsibly at all times and stick to playing with wagers that suit your budget.
We recommend using the limit-setting tools available at most online casino sites to limit your spending and time spent playing online. Taking regular breaks can ensure you don’t get too caught up in the game and accidentally go over budget.
PERSONAL OPINION: Wherever possible, try to find Starburst slot free play versions to practise the pokie before committing your real money balance. This will help you determine if it’s the right game for you without ploughing through your account balance.
Pokies Similar to Starburst
Based on Starburst’s success, NetEnt developed a series of follow-up games, including the upgraded Starburst XXXtreme, a Slingo version of the pokie, and the much-anticipated 2024 release Starburst Galaxy.
The win potential of the follow-up slots is considerably larger than the original pokie, which makes for a more exciting experience, though they both offer higher variance, which means you could be playing a good bit longer before hitting a substantial win.
Slingo is an entirely different type of slot machine, based on the basic concept of bingo, whereby you must fill lines on the 5×5 grid to move your way up the pay ladder. If you’ve never played Slingo before, they’re a fantastic alternative to regular pokies that fit somewhere between slots and bingo in terms of gameplay.
Of the four titles, my personal favourite is the latest addition to the series, Starburst Galaxy. This cluster-pays version of the pokie is packed with bonus features for a more exciting game and higher win potential.
I’ve summarised the key features of each of the Starburst pokie in the table below so you can see a snapshot of what to expect from each:
| Game Name | Reels | Paylines | Max Win | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starburst | 5 | 10 | 500x | 96.09% |
| Starburst XXXtreme | 5 | 9 | 200,000x | 96.26% |
| Starburst Galaxy | 5-7 | Cluster Pays | 25,000x | 96.00% |
| Slingo Starburst | 5 | 12 | 1,500x | 96.66% |
Conclusion of Our Starburst Pokie Review
Hopefully, this Starburst Slot Review gives you all the information you need to help you decide if it’s the right type of game for you. At PokiesPros, we’re all fans of this iconic game for its simplicity, engagement, and the potential to have a longer-lasting gaming session.
I would highly recommend Starburst if you’re a more budget-conscious player. Just be sure to use any casino limit-setting tools available to ensure you gamble responsibly and within your budget.
Starburst FAQs
- Where can I play the Starburst online slot for real money?
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If you’d like to play the Starburst slot machine for yourself, check out our list of recommended online casinos to discover your best options for exploring this iconic slot title.
- Does the Starburst slot machine have a jackpot?
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No, there are no separate jackpots in NetEnt’s fantastic Starburst slot machine. The only way to trigger wins is by hitting winning payline combos, with the max win potential of the game being 500 times the bet.
- Is Starburst game of chance or game of skills?
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Like any online slot, Starburst is a game of chance and uses random number generator technology to ensure completely fair and random outcomes. These algorithms mean you cannot influence the outcome of a round in any way.
- How can I trigger free spins on Starburst?
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There isn’t a Starburst free spins bonus round, per se, but you can trigger respins when you land a Starburst Wild symbol on one of the central reels. The wild will expand to cover the entire reel it occupies, then trigger a respin for a chance for boosted wins.
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