Starburst is developed by NetEnt and was released in June 2012.

Does Starburst have free spins?

No. Starburst has no free spins round. Its main feature is the expanding Starburst wild, which awards up to three respins.

How do Starburst wilds work?

Wilds land on reels 2, 3 and 4, expand to fill the reel and award a respin. Each new wild during a respin also expands and adds another respin, up to three.

What is the RTP of Starburst?

The standard RTP is around 96.1%, but lower versions exist. Check the game's information screen for the version you are playing.

Is Starburst low volatility?

Yes. It is rated low volatility, with frequent small wins and a maximum win of 500 times the stake.

Starburst Review: Expanding Wilds, RTP and Volatility

Starburst at a Glance

Developer: NetEnt
Release date: June 2012
Grid: 5 reels × 3 rows
How wins are formed: 10 fixed paylines, paying both ways
RTP: Around 96.1% (lower versions, down to about 90%, also exist)
Volatility: Low
Maximum win: 500x the stake
Key feature: Expanding Starburst wilds with respins
Free spins: None
Bonus buy: Not available

Figures are based on information published for the game. Always check the information screen of the version you are playing, because the RTP can differ between casinos.

How Starburst Works

Starburst uses a classic five-by-three grid with 10 fixed paylines. Its "win both ways" system means winning combinations can start from the leftmost reel or the rightmost reel. If a line wins in both directions, only the highest win on that line is paid.

The design is simple and bright: glowing gems against a cosmic background, with an arcade-style soundtrack. The pace is quick, and the rules can be learned in a few spins.

Symbols

Five coloured gems (purple, blue, orange, green and yellow) are the lower and mid-paying symbols.
The lucky 7 and the BAR are the higher-paying symbols, with the BAR paying the most.
The Starburst wild appears only on reels 2, 3 and 4. See Wild Symbols Explained.

There are no scatter symbols. The game's paytable lists the exact values.

The Starburst Wild Feature

Starburst's only feature centres on its wild:

1. A wild lands. Starburst wilds can appear on any of the three middle reels.

2. It expands. The wild grows to fill the entire reel, turning it fully wild.

3. The reel locks and respins. The wild reel stays in place, and the other reels spin again for free.

4. More wilds extend it. If another wild lands on a different middle reel during the respin, it also expands and locks, and another respin is awarded.

This can continue until all three middle reels are wild, for a maximum of three respins in a row. With three wild reels in the middle and both-way paylines, matching symbols on reels 1 and 5 can produce wins across many lines.

See Slot Bonus Features Explained for more on respin features.

RTP and Volatility

The standard RTP is around 96.1%, with published figures of 96.09% to 96.10%. NetEnt also offers several lower versions, with the lowest around 90%, and each casino chooses which one to use. Check the game's information screen to see the version you are playing. See Pokies RTP Explained.

Starburst is rated low volatility. In practice:

Small wins come along relatively often, thanks to the both-ways paylines
Many of those wins are worth less than the stake
There is no big bonus round, so very large wins are not possible
Balances usually move up and down more gently than in high-volatility games

Low volatility does not mean low cost. The house edge still applies to every spin, and fast play can add up quickly. See Slot Volatility Explained and RTP vs Actual Slot Results.

Maximum Win

The maximum win is 500 times the stake. That is modest compared with most modern games and reflects the game's low volatility.

Gameplay, Design and Mobile Play

Starburst is easy to learn, fast to play and visually clean. Its simplicity is a large part of its lasting popularity, and it is often the first online slot many players try. It works smoothly on desktop and mobile, and a free-play demo is widely available. See Demo Slots Explained.

Starburst is also often featured in casino promotions as the game for free spins offers. Those promotions are separate from the game itself and come with their own terms, such as wagering requirements.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Very simple and quick to learn
Wins pay both ways across 10 lines
Expanding wild respins add excitement without complexity
Low volatility suits players who prefer a gentler experience

Cons

No free spins or bonus round
Low maximum win of 500x
Many small wins are worth less than the stake
Lower RTP versions are offered at some casinos

Who Might Like Starburst?

Starburst may appeal to new players and anyone who prefers simple rules, quick spins and a low-volatility experience without long bonus hunts. Players looking for big multipliers or large maximum wins will likely prefer other games. Every spin is random, and the house edge applies throughout.

Similar Games

Book of Deadanother 10-payline classic, but with high volatility and free spins

Gonzo's Questanother NetEnt classic, with Avalanche multipliers

Wolf Golda medium-volatility payline game with a respin feature

Browse all titles in our Slot Game Reviews.

Playing Responsibly

Low-volatility games can feel safe, but frequent small wins can make it easy to play for longer than planned. Watch your balance rather than the number of wins, and set a budget and time limit before you start. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.

In Australia, it is illegal for companies to offer online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Starburst Review