Starburst is the pokie we point to when you want colour, quick spins, and wins without a pile of side-features. It’s a 5x3 NetEnt classic with 10 fixed lines that pay both ways. The whole hook is the Starburst Wild: it expands on the middle reels and can lock in for up to three respins.
last updated 11 May 2026
Starburst Pokie Review
Space-Themed
Neon-Themed
Gems-Themed
Quick Facts
RTP
96.1%
Volatility
Low
Provider
NetEnt
Min Bet
AU$0.10
Max Bet
AU$100
Max Win
500x
Free spins
Bonus game
Wild symbol
Scatter Symbol
Multiplier
Symbol Stacked
Jackpot Game
Slot reels
5
Slot lines
10 fixed paylines
Release Date
2012
Page contents
- Game Overview
- Game Features & Mechanics
- Technical Specifications
- Paytable & Symbol Values
- Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
- Game Gallery
- Starburst on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
- How Does Starburst Compare to Similar Pokies?
- About NetEnt – The Developer Behind the Game
- Final Verdict
- Last Pokie Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Game Overview
Starburst runs on a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 10 fixed win lines, and it pays in any direction, so three matching symbols can score from left-to-right or right-to-left. The paytable is deliberately simple: five coloured gems for the lower tiers, then Lucky Sevens and BAR as the premium symbols. There’s no free spins round, no bonus pick, no gamble ladder. Instead, the whole game lives on the Starburst Wild. It can land only on reels 2, 3, and 4; when it appears, it expands to cover the entire reel, locks in, and triggers a respin. If more wilds land, they lock too, and you can chain up to three consecutive respins. With a commonly listed 96.09% RTP and low volatility, it’s built for smooth, frequent action rather than massive top-end hits.
Game Features & Mechanics
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Both-Ways Pay
Starburst pays left-to-right and right-to-left on the same 10 fixed lines. It sounds simple, but it genuinely doubles the number of “ways a line can save your spin” without changing the layout.
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Expanding Starburst Wild
The Starburst Wild only appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it lands, it expands to cover the whole reel, which instantly boosts the odds of completing a line win on the next beat.
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Wild Respins
Here’s the entire bonus system: an expanding wild locks in place and triggers a respin of the other reels. If another wild lands during the respin, it expands and locks too, and you can chain up to three respins.
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No Side Modes, Just Momentum
No free spins round, no bonus buy, no mini-games. Starburst keeps you in “base game only” and relies on wild reels + respins to create the peaks. That’s why it still feels punchy despite the clean ruleset.
Technical Specifications
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Volatility Level
Starburst is widely listed as low volatility. In real terms, that usually means more frequent smaller wins and fewer brutal droughts — great for casual play, less exciting if you only chase massive spikes.
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RTP Explained
The commonly listed RTP is 96.09%, but always assume casinos may run different configurations. If RTP matters to you, the only safe move is checking the in-game info panel where you’re playing.
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Bet Range
Typical stakes are listed as $0.10 to $100 per spin. It’s a broad range for such a simple game — handy if you want to test the feel on small bets, then scale up once you’re comfortable.
Paytable & Symbol Values
Starburst keeps its symbol set tight: five gems plus Lucky Seven and BAR. Wins land when 3+ matching symbols connect on one of the 10 lines, and they can pay in either direction thanks to Both-Ways Pay. The gems are your steady hitters (they show up often), while Seven and BAR are the “you’ll actually notice that” wins. The key thing: because the wild only appears on reels 2–4 and expands, you’re often playing for those moments where a normal-looking spin becomes a proper line win once a full wild reel locks and the respin lands the missing matches.
Special Symbols
Starburst Wild
This is the only special symbol that matters. It lands only on reels 2, 3, and 4, expands to cover the full reel, then locks and triggers a respin. If another wild lands during a respin, it locks too — you can chain up to three respins total.
Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
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Graphics
Starburst is pure neon-cosmic: big gem icons, high contrast, and a clean 5x3 layout that never gets messy. That simplicity is why it still works today — you always know what’s happening, even on quick autoplay sessions.
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Animations
The visuals do one job well: make the wild moment feel like a proper event. When a Starburst Wild lands, the expansion is immediate and obvious, and the lock-in sets up the respin without any fluff or slow transitions.
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Sound Design
It’s got that retro electronic vibe — light, arcadey, and constant enough to keep the pace up. You’ll also hear the shift when a wild hits and the respins kick in, which is basically the game’s “bonus music”.
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Visual Feel & Interactivity
There’s no feature soup here. The interactivity is the tension of the respin ladder: first wild locks, then you’re watching reels 2–4 like a hawk hoping for the second and third wild to drop in.
Game Gallery
Starburst on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
Starburst is one of those slots that barely changes between desktop and mobile because the layout is small and the symbols are chunky. On a phone, you’re not trying to track a giant grid or tiny counters — you’re waiting for a wild reel and watching what the respin does. The only real “mobile difference” is comfort: if you play portrait on a small screen, the reels can feel cramped; landscape makes the respin moment easier to read, especially when you’re checking both directions for a line hit.
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Android
Runs smoothly on most devices because the game is lightweight and simple. Landscape helps you spot line wins quickly when the wild reel locks in.
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iOS
Starburst feels crisp on iPhone — the bright gems and the wild expansion animation stay clear even on smaller screens. Keep brightness up for contrast.
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Tablet
It is the most comfortable “lean back and spin” option. You get the big, clean reels without needing a computer, and the respin ladder is easy to follow.
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Desktop
Best for long sessions. You get the clearest view of both-ways line wins and the full impact of two or three locked wild reels.
Optimal Gameplay Tips
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Use Stable Connection
EssentialRespins resolve fast. A stable connection keeps the wild lock + respin sequence smooth, so you don’t miss what actually hits.
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Landscape Mode Recommended
RecommendedLandscape makes the 5x3 grid feel bigger and keeps your eyes on the middle reels — exactly where the wild drama happens.
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Audio Settings
OptionalIf you like feedback cues, keep audio low but on. The game’s sound shifts noticeably when the respins trigger.
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Full Screen Mode
RecommendedFull screen removes distractions and helps you read both-ways wins quickly — handy because a win can come from either edge.
How Does Starburst Compare to Similar Pokies?
Starburst
NetEnt
96.1%
Low
0.10
Dia De Muertos
KA Gaming
96.0%
Medium
1.00
The Party Guy
Nucleus Gaming
97.1%
Medium
0.20
Sizzling Hot Deluxe
Novomatic
95.7%
High
0.15
Brute Force: Alien Onslaught
Nolimit City
96.0%
High
0.20
About NetEnt – The Developer Behind the Game
NetEnt built its name on slots that feel polished and easy to understand. Starburst is the cleanest example: a simple layout, clear symbol hierarchy, and one signature feature that stays memorable years later. NetEnt’s catalog is known for strong presentation — animation, sound, and attention to detail are consistently part of the package — and you’ll see that across their big titles, from the spacey vibe of Starburst to more cinematic games like Gonzo’s Quest. A lot of NetEnt’s staying power comes from the same design philosophy: keep the core rules readable, then make the feature moments crisp and satisfying instead of confusing. That’s why their classics still show up everywhere, and why Starburst remains a go-to “comfort slot” for players who just want clean spins without homework.
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Polished Presentation
NetEnt slots lean hard into smooth animation and strong audio, so even simple games feel premium and finished.
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Readable Game Design
Clear symbols, clean layouts, and mechanics that don’t need a tutorial — Starburst is basically this approach in its purest form.
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Classic-Legacy Library
They’ve got evergreen titles that stayed popular for years, and Starburst is still one of the most widely recognised examples.
Final Verdict
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Both-ways pay keeps things lively, because a line hit can land from either edge on the same spin
- Expanding wild reels on 2–4 genuinely change outcomes, especially when you’re one symbol short of a clean line
- Locked wild respins (up to three) create that classic “hold on” moment without needing a separate bonus mode
- Low volatility makes it a comfortable pick for casual sessions and slower bankroll burn
- Simple symbols, fast pace, and zero feature clutter make it easy to dip in for quick spins on any device
Things to Consider
- Max win is capped at 500x, so it’s not built for monster spikes like modern high-volatility titles
- There are no free spins or bonus rounds — your “feature time” is basically just wild reels and respins
- RTP can vary by casino configuration, so the version you play may not match the headline number
Overall Rating
8.2
Bottom Line
Starburst is pure “classic done right”: 5x3 reels, 10 lines that pay both ways, and one feature that never gets old. When the Starburst wild lands on reels 2–4, it expands, locks, and triggers respins — up to three — so a plain spin can suddenly flip into a tidy win chain. It’s usually listed at 96.09% RTP with low volatility, which explains why it feels smooth and beginner-friendly. Just know the trade-off: the max win is 500x, and there’s no separate bonus round.
Last Pokie Reviews
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Volatility: High
Release Date: 2025
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RTP: 96.5%
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Release Date: 2021
Provider: GameArt
RTP: 96.2%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2020
Provider: Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2025
Provider: NetEnt
RTP: 96.1%
Volatility: Low
Release Date: 2012
Provider: IGT
RTP: 96.2%
Volatility: Medium
Release Date: 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Starburst?
Starburst is commonly listed with a 96.09% RTP, but casinos can run different RTP configurations. If you care about value, check the in-game info panel (or loading screen) where you’re playing.
How do Starburst wins work?
You play 10 fixed paylines on a 5x3 layout, and wins can pay left-to-right or right-to-left thanks to the both-ways mechanic. Land 3+ matching symbols on a line to score.
What does the Starburst Wild actually do?
The Starburst Wild appears only on reels 2, 3, and 4. When it lands, it expands to fill the entire reel, then locks in place and triggers a respin of the other reels.
How many respins can you get?
You can chain up to three respins. Each time a wild lands, it expands, locks, and awards a respin, so the “best case” is multiple locked wild reels stacked across the middle.
What’s the maximum win on Starburst?
The max win is 500x your bet. That’s modest compared to modern feature-heavy slots, but it fits the game’s low-volatility style and “quick spins, frequent action” feel.
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