Starburst from NetEnt remains one of the most iconic online slots ever released. Launched in 2012, this cosmic-themed classic combines simplicity, smooth animations, and two-way paylines that double the frequency of wins. Despite its age, Starburst continues to top casino charts and serves as an entry point for thousands of players discovering modern slots for the first time.
Game overview
The following table outlines the core specifications of Starburst, illustrating why it has become a long-standing favourite among both casual and experienced players.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | NetEnt |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Theme | Space / Gems |
| Reels / Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Paylines | 10 fixed (both ways) |
| RTP | 96.09% |
| Volatility | Low |
| Min Bet | €0.10 |
| Max Bet | €100 |
| Max Win | €50,000 |
| Coin Value | €0.01 – €1 |
| Platforms | Desktop, Android, iOS |
| Bonus Features | Expanding Wilds, Respins, Stacked Symbols |
Starburst’s accessible mechanics, vivid colours, and polished physics made it a template for future minimalistic slots. Its gameplay is linear but highly rhythmic, with quick spins and instant feedback loops that keep sessions engaging.
Design and atmosphere Starburst
The visual tone of Starburst merges cosmic backgrounds with dazzling gemstones. Each symbol emits a luminous glow, enhanced by fluid reel transitions and ambient sound effects that build subtle tension before each win. The soundtrack combines futuristic synths and rising tones that accentuate the moment a wild expands across the reel.
Even today, Starburst remains a reference point for elegant, distraction-free slot design. It runs smoothly on all modern browsers and mobile devices thanks to NetEnt’s early adoption of HTML5 technology.
Gameplay mechanics
The slot features five reels, three rows, and ten fixed paylines. Wins are calculated from both directions – left to right and right to left – effectively doubling payout frequency. Only the highest win per line is paid, but the two-way system compensates for the modest multipliers of each combination.
Players can adjust their bet level (1–10 coins per line) and coin value (€0.01–€1). The Max Bet button instantly sets the stake to level 10, while Autoplay allows up to 1,000 consecutive spins with optional stop conditions, such as reaching a certain win limit or loss threshold.
Starburst symbols and payouts
Starburst uses a combination of gem icons and classic slot imagery. The higher the gem’s brightness, the better its payout. The red seven and BAR logo offer the top rewards, while the multicoloured star functions as a wild symbol.
The table below shows payouts for combinations of three, four, or five identical symbols.
| Symbol | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple and Blue Gems | 5 | 10 | 25 |
| Red Gem | 7 | 15 | 40 |
| Green Gem | 8 | 20 | 50 |
| Yellow Diamond | 10 | 25 | 60 |
| Lucky Seven | 25 | 60 | 120 |
| BAR Symbol | 50 | 200 | 250 |
The wild symbol – a radiant starburst – appears only on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it lands, it expands to fill the reel entirely and triggers a respin, creating the slot’s signature momentum.
Bonus features
While Starburst lacks free spins or multipliers, it compensates with its Expanding Wild Respins mechanic, which has defined its popularity for over a decade.
- Whenever a wild star appears, it expands vertically to cover the reel.
- The expanded wild remains locked, and the remaining reels spin again.
- If another wild appears, the process repeats – up to three consecutive respins.
- When all three central reels turn wild, payouts can occur across all lines simultaneously.
This simple feature structure makes Starburst suitable for steady, low-volatility gameplay with frequent small wins rather than rare high-risk bursts.
Interface and controls
The control layout remains intuitive. Below the reels, players find quick-access buttons:
- Level – sets the bet level (1–10 coins per line).
- Coin Value – adjusts the coin denomination (€0.01–€1).
- Max Bet – sets the highest bet level instantly.
- Autoplay – allows continuous spins with stop conditions.
All essential information – bet, win, and balance – is displayed at the bottom. Players can toggle sound, enable fast spins, or open the paytable using the menu button. The streamlined interface contributes to the slot’s enduring accessibility.
Pros and cons
Starburst remains a textbook example of balance between simplicity and engagement. It’s often used by casinos for welcome bonuses due to its stability and universal appeal.
- Wins counted in both directions.
- Expanding wild with respins.
- Optimised for mobile and desktop play.
- Fast spins and clear visual feedback.
Still, players looking for complex mechanics or large jackpots may find it too minimalist.
- No scatter or free spins.
- No gamble feature or multipliers.
- Low volatility limits big-win potential.
Conclusion
Starburst endures as one of the most recognisable slots in iGaming history. Its luminous visuals, bi-directional paylines, and responsive design made it a timeless choice for casual sessions. Though it lacks elaborate features, its steady pace and hypnotic rhythm deliver exactly what NetEnt intended – an elegant, universally enjoyable slot that never loses its shine.
