One of the most popular video slots about, it’s not difficult to see why Starburst is adored by so many players! Search for gems floating in the universe as you hope to land re-spins and Starburst Wilds, marvelling at the sights in front of you. The graphics are smart, colourful and high-quality, making it visually-pleasing and great to play. If you like bonus games and free spins, you may be a little disappointed, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here.

Key information:

• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 10
• Min bet: 1p
• Max bet: £100
• Slot RTP: 96.1%
• Provider: NetEnt

Bursts of light and sound

In typical NetEnt fashion, Starburst has a great design that’s fun and exciting but doesn’t feel too cluttered either. Its synth-heavy soundtrack feels like a flashback to video games of years gone by – it’s pretty calming too, making you feel right at home. It doesn’t bother with the sound effects we sometimes find in other slots, so it makes for a less distracting experience.

The graphics are highly detailed, the gem symbols glistening as the various buttons and instructions glow against the deep, cosmic purple background. Particularly when considering it was released over 6 years ago, it looks really futuristic and innovative. Hover over the payline numbers and you’ll see them on the playboard, while if you hold your cursor over the neon green buttons, they’ll light up. It’s an easy slot to navigate, and there’s not too much going on that it feels overpowering.

Simple but still five stars

Starbursts boasts 5 reels and 10 paylines, and the ‘Win Both Ways’ feature offers you more ways to win. Paylines read from right to left in Starburst, so your winning combinations can start from either end. As a result, there are still quite a few ways to win so it doesn’t get too boring. The amount you can bet ranges from 10p to £100 per spin, depending on how many paylines you play with and your chosen coin value.

On the play board, you’ll see 15 sparkling symbols floating in space. They’re all pretty familiar – the highest-value symbols are a Bar symbol and a 7 symbol, while the other five are all brightly-coloured gems. We have the Topaz, Emerald, Citrine, Sapphire and Amethyst to find, in order of decreasing value – but keep an eye out for all of them! Starburst might lack the backstory of other slots, with no characters to meet, but it allows you to concentrate solely on the game.

The reel star of the show

Keep a watch out for the Wild symbol, as it’s the main feature in this game. Appearing on the middle three reels, they substitute for all symbols. When they appear on a reel, they’ll expand to cover the whole reel and trigger a re-spin, giving you the chance to make more combinations. The maximum number of re-spins is three, so you could get some big wins – covering all middle reels with wilds will give you more than a fighting chance!

This NetEnt slot doesn’t really ‘do’ shiny bonus features, with Starburst Wilds being the main attraction. Its simplicity is partly why it’s such a popular game – you know what you’re getting. However, for those players who favour the more dramatic slots, it might be a little too straightforward. Besides the Wilds, the other feature of note is the ‘Win Both Ways’ function, which of course adds a little excitement to the base game.

Our verdict

Starburst is an entertaining slot, and one of NetEnt’s best, but with an average RTP and relatively low volatility – meaning that it pays out little and often – it’s probably best for the more casual player – particularly those who enjoy games with a timeless, classic feel. There’s no mystery about why people love Starburst so much, and why online casino sites love offering Starburst casino welcome bonuses.