Starburst Slot Review
Free demo, RTP, volatility and max win
6.7Value score · Fair · how it works
Starburst review: NetEnt's 2012 space-gem slot on 5x3 reels and 10 lines, with expanding wilds that trigger respins, Low volatility and a 96.08% RTP.
- 42%of slots have a lower headline RTP
Play Starburst free: demo, no sign-up
Free play money from NetEnt's official demo. 18+. No deposit and no account; a demo does not predict real results.
Basic information
| Software | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2012 |
| RTP | 96.08% |
| Volatility | Low |
| Max win | x800 |
| Hit frequency | 23% of spins |
| Game type | Slot |
| Data verified | 2026-09-28 |
Source: NetEnt game page; RTP database by toolsgambling.com (CC BY 4.0); image: NetEnt promotional image from the official game page. How we collect data · Report a mistake
Starburst review
Starburst has one feature, and it is easy to see. When the jewelled star wild lands, it spreads over its entire reel and earns a respin. NetEnt's 2012 slot surrounds that mechanic with a space backdrop, gems, golden bars and lucky sevens on a five-reel, three-row grid with 10 lines. Low volatility, a 23% hit frequency and an 800x cap describe a game built for steady, small outcomes.
Expanding wilds and respins
The star symbol is the wild. Each time it lands, it copies itself up and down to cover the whole reel and substitutes for all paying symbols. The expanded wild then triggers a respin, which gives the other reels another chance to line up with it.
NetEnt's page does not list the reels the wild can land on or whether respins can chain beyond one. We describe the feature only as stated: a full-reel wild plus a respin.
Grid, lines and rhythm
Wins are paid on 10 paylines across a 5x3 grid. There is no free spins round in the studio description, so the base game and the wild respins are the whole game. With a 23% hit frequency, a little under one spin in four returns a win on average.
The Low volatility rating fits that picture. Results tend to cluster around modest amounts, and the top payout of 800x is low compared with many newer slots.
What it costs over time
Starburst lists a single 96.08% RTP, a house edge of 3.92%. That means about $39.20 is kept per $1,000 wagered across a long run. A hundred spins cost about $0.78 at $0.20, $3.92 at $1 and $19.60 at $5.
The 800x cap equals $160 at $0.20, $800 at $1 and $4,000 at $5.
Galaxy, XXXtreme and Low-volatility peers
Two later games reuse the name with a very different risk profile. Starburst Galaxy lists 96% with a 17,288x cap, and Starburst XXXtreme lists 96.45% with 16,800x; both are rated Very high.
Among Low-volatility NetEnt titles, Fairytale Legends: Hansel and Gretel lists 96.71% with an 800x cap, Wilderland 96.16% with 800x, and Jumanji 96.33% with 500x. Each lists a higher RTP than Starburst. Crab Trap at 96.07% and Vegas Night Life at 96% sit just below it, both capped at 1,100x.
Who it suits
Starburst suits players who want a simple game with frequent small hits and no bonus rules to learn. It does not suit anyone after free spins or a large ceiling, and several similar Low-volatility games list a higher RTP. There is no free demo in our data.
Pros
- One clear feature: full-reel wilds that trigger a respin
- Low volatility with a 23% hit frequency
- Very quick to learn on 10 lines
Cons
- 800x max payout and no free spins round described
- No free demo listed in our data
Verdict
Starburst offers a stripped-back experience: 10 lines, expanding star wilds and a respin each time one lands. The Low volatility and 23% hit rate make for gentle sessions, but the RTP is 96.08% with a 3.92% house edge, and the 800x cap is modest. Several similar games list a better return. If you play it, treat it as light entertainment on a fixed budget.
Sources: NetEnt official game page; RTP, volatility and max win from the open Slot RTP Database.
Starburst series
2 other games of the same franchise by NetEnt, oldest first.
Slots like Starburst
Starburst RTP
The data lists one RTP for Starburst. Versions are not tracked for NetEnt games, so other versions may exist; check the game's info screen.
- 96.08% $39.20 lost per $1,000
Cost of 100 spins
| Bet | Wagered | Average cost at 96.08% |
|---|---|---|
| $0.20 | $20 | $0.78 |
| $1 | $100 | $3.92 |
| $5 | $500 | $19.60 |
Averages computed from the published RTP; real sessions vary widely around them. RTP calculator
Starburst max win, volatility & stats
- Value score
- 6.7 / 10
- Lost per $1,000 (average)
- $39.20
- Max win at $1 bet
- $800
- Wins on average
- 1 in 4.3 spins
Percentiles compare this game with the 3,708 games in the catalogue. Max win: 800×.
