Starburst

Starburst Casinos

If you’ve spent any time spinning the reels of online slots, there’s a good chance you’ve come across NetEnt’s legendary Starburst. It’s practically unavoidable—like bumping into an old friend at every casino. This sparkling, cosmic-themed game is a go-to favorite for operators worldwide, frequently headlining welcome bonuses, but it’s also a hit in its own right. Despite being over a decade old, Starburst has aged like fine wine.

Here’s the thing about Starburst: it’s a bit of a puzzle. How does such a simple, low-volatility slot manage to be one of the most-played slots ever? Let’s channel our inner Neil deGrasse Tyson and explore the universe behind this slot sensation.

Despite being from 2012, Starburst holds up surprisingly well even today. Sure, it’s not cutting-edge in terms of graphics, but there’s a certain retro charm about it that hits that sweet spot of nostalgia for old-school slots.

Starburst: How it plays

The game itself is set on a 5-reel, 3-row transparent grid with 10 paylines. Wins are triggered when you line up matching symbols, but Starburst shakes things up with its “pay both ways” feature. That means winning combos hit whether they’re from left to right or right to left—essentially doubling your chances of landing a payout.

Before launching into Starburst, there’s one thing to keep in mind: the RTP (Return to Player). NetEnt gives operators flexibility to adjust this from as low as 90.05% up to a sky-high 99.06%, depending on where you’re playing. The default RTP sits comfortably at 96.09%, which is a solid middle ground. It’s always a good idea to check the game’s paytable to know where you stand before you dive in.

Another aspect that makes Starburst so popular is its low volatility. This means that while you won’t be chasing life-changing wins, you’ll see smaller, more frequent payouts. The hit rate is 22.6%, which breaks down to about one win every five spins—not too shabby if you’re looking for a laid-back experience without sweating through your bankroll.

Starburst: Slot Features

If there’s one thing you won’t find much of in Starburst, it’s features. This slot keeps things super simple, with the only real disruption to your spins being the Starburst Wild. But don’t let the lack of features fool you—this rainbow-colored wild is where the magic happens.

The Starburst Wild only appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it lands, it expands to cover the entire reel, sticking in place while triggering a free respin. If another Starburst Wild pops up during the respin, it’ll also expand and lock in place, granting you yet another spin. You can chain up to 3 respins in a row, giving you a shot at landing some solid wins.

It might not be packed with bonus features, but the Starburst Wild keeps things lively, adding just enough excitement to keep you chasing those sparkling rewards.

Starburst: Slot Verdict

NetEnt really hit the sweet spot when they created Starburst. This is slot gaming in its purest form—straightforward, low-volatility fun with an appeal that’s hard to match. The secret sauce? Simple ingredients like “pay both ways” mechanics, calming graphics, and decent payouts (for what it is). Over the years, countless developers have tried to recreate the magic, but none have quite captured the stardust like the original.

On paper, Starburst doesn’t sound like a showstopper. There are only a few features, and the potential for massive wins is pretty modest. It’s not the kind of game you play if you’re chasing complex bonus rounds or life-changing jackpots. Yet, despite all that, Starburst has earned the title of the most popular online slot of all time.

The best way to understand the hype? Try it out for yourself. The great thing is that Starburst is available to demo for free, and with the abundance of free spins offers floating around, it’s easy to take it for a spin without spending a dime. Even with the flood of innovative slots since its release, Starburst remains a beloved classic among both newbies and seasoned players alike.