Starlight Princess at a Glance
- Developer
- Pragmatic Play
- Release date
- September 2021
- Grid
- 6 reels × 5 rows
- How wins are formed
- Pay anywhere: 8 or more matching symbols
- Main mechanic
- Tumbling reels
- RTP
- 96.50% (95.51% and 94.50% versions also exist)
- Volatility
- Very high
- Maximum win
- 5,000x the stake
- Free spins
- 4+ scatters award 15 free spins
- Multipliers
- 2x to 500x, in the base game and free spins
- Extra options
- Ante bet; bonus buy where permitted
Figures are based on information published for the game. Always check the information screen of the version you are playing, because the RTP and available options can differ between casinos and regions.
How Starlight Princess Works
Starlight Princess has a bright, magical-girl anime theme, with the princess floating beside a grid set against a starry sky. Each spin fills a six-by-five grid with 30 symbols.
Pay-Anywhere Wins
There are no paylines. Eight or more of the same symbol anywhere on the grid form a win, and larger groups pay more. See Scatter Symbols Explained for how pay-anywhere wins work.
Tumbling Reels
After each win, the winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place. If they form another win, it is paid and the tumble continues, with no limit on how many tumbles can happen in a single spin. See Cascading Reels Explained.
Symbols
- Standard symbols range from simpler lower-paying designs to higher-paying themed items.
- The scatter triggers free spins when four or more land anywhere.
- Multiplier symbols land at random with a value from 2x to 500x.
The game's paytable lists the value of each symbol for different group sizes.
Bonus Features
Multiplier Symbols
Multiplier symbols can land at any time during the base game and free spins, with values from 2x to 500x. In the base game, when a tumble sequence ends, the values of all multiplier symbols on screen are added together and applied to the total win of that sequence. If the sequence produced no win, they pay nothing. See Slot Multipliers Explained.
Free Spins
Landing four or more scatters triggers 15 free spins. Landing three or more scatters during the round adds five more spins.
During free spins, multiplier values that land on winning sequences are added to a running total that keeps growing throughout the round. This accumulated multiplier is the source of the game's biggest wins.
Ante Bet
The ante bet raises your stake by 25% and roughly doubles the chance of triggering free spins naturally. It makes the feature more frequent, but each spin costs more and the game does not become more generous.
Bonus Buy
In some markets, players can pay 100 times their stake to trigger free spins straight away. The option is not available in every region, including the UK. Buying the bonus puts a large amount on one outcome. Read Slot Buy Features Explained before considering it.
Starlight Princess vs Gates of Olympus
Starlight Princess and Gates of Olympus share almost the same structure: a six-by-five pay-anywhere grid, tumbles, multipliers from 2x to 500x, 15 free spins and a 5,000x maximum win. The main differences are the theme, the artwork and the symbol set. If you already know how Gates of Olympus works, Starlight Princess will feel very familiar.
RTP and Volatility
The standard RTP is 96.50%, but versions at 95.51% and 94.50% are also offered, 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.
The game is rated very high volatility. In practice:
- Many spins return little or nothing
- Small tumble wins are often worth less than the stake
- Most of the game's return depends on free spins and large multiplier totals
- Results can vary enormously from session to session
See Slot Volatility Explained and RTP vs Actual Slot Results.
Maximum Win
The maximum win is 5,000 times the stake. Wins of this size are extremely rare and should never be treated as a realistic goal. A separate follow-up game, Starlight Princess 1000, has different figures, so make sure you are looking at the right version.
Gameplay, Design and Mobile Play
The game's bright colours, anime-style artwork and lively animations give it a distinct look, while the pay-anywhere system keeps the rules simple. It runs smoothly on desktop and mobile devices, and a free-play demo is widely available. See Demo Slots Explained.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple pay-anywhere rules with no paylines
- Multipliers can land in both the base game and free spins
- Free spins multiplier builds throughout the round
- Distinctive anime-inspired design
Cons
- Very high volatility, with long losing runs common
- Very similar to Gates of Olympus, so it offers little new for players who know that game
- Lower RTP versions are offered at some casinos
- Ante bet and bonus buy options increase the amount at risk
Who Might Like Starlight Princess?
Starlight Princess may appeal to players who enjoy the Gates of Olympus style of play but prefer a brighter, anime-inspired theme. Like that game, it suits only players who are comfortable with long quiet spells and very uneven results. The house edge applies to every spin, and no strategy can change the outcome.
Similar Games
Gates of Olympusthe Greek mythology game with the same core mechanics
Sweet Bonanzapay-anywhere tumbles with multiplier bombs in free spins
Sugar Rushcluster pays with multiplier spotsBrowse all titles in our Slot Game Reviews.
Playing Responsibly
Very high volatility means a budget can run out quickly while waiting for a feature. Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach them. 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.
