Ultimate Starburst Slot Review (2025): Why It’s Still #1

A Deep Dive into the Iconic Starburst™ Slot

Since its release by NetEnt in 2012, Starburst™ has become arguably the most famous and widely played online slot in the world. Its genius lies in its simplicity. With vibrant, arcade-style graphics, a calming cosmic soundtrack, and deceptively simple gameplay, it’s the perfect game for both new players and seasoned veterans. But in today’s market of ever-more-complex video slots, does it still hold its crown? Our ultimate review breaks down every facet of this legendary game.

How to Play Starburst & Key Features

Starburst™ is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot with 10 paylines. The standout feature is its innovative “Win Both Ways” mechanic. Unlike most slots that only pay from left-to-right, Starburst™ allows winning combinations to be formed from both left-to-right and right-to-left, effectively doubling your chances on every spin.

The true heart of the game is the iconic Starburst™ Wild symbol. These vibrant, multi-colored stars can only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. When one lands, it triggers the main feature:

• Expanding Wild: The Wild symbol expands to cover the entire reel, turning it completely wild.
• Re-Spin: After the reel expands, it locks in place and a free re-spin is awarded.
• Stacking Re-Spins: If another Starburst™ Wild lands during the re-spin, it also expands and locks, awarding yet another re-spin. It’s possible to get reels 2, 3, and 4 completely wild, leading to massive, screen-filling wins.

RTP, Volatility, and Payouts

Starburst™ is famous for its low volatility. This means the game is designed to provide a steady stream of small-to-medium sized wins frequently. It provides a long, engaging play session without the huge bankroll swings of high-volatility games. The official RTP (Return to Player) is a solid 96.09%, which is a respectable industry standard. The maximum win on a single spin sequence is 500x your stake.

Final Verdict

Starburst™ is a masterclass in elegant game design. It proves that a slot doesn’t need dozens of complex features or a confusing plot to be incredibly entertaining. Its fast-paced action, frequent payouts, and the sheer excitement of the expanding wild re-spins make it a timeless classic. It has rightfully earned its reputation as the king of online slots and remains a must-play for any casino enthusiast, especially on a top-tier mobile platform like LeoVegas.

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Carlos Silva

Editor-in-Chief & iGaming Expert (Since 2004)

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