We’ve always wondered how NetEnt feel when folk describe Starburst as the company’s ‘Flagship’ game. There’s no doubt it’s one of their most popular and ubiquitous, but that’s as much down to the casinos who feature it so frequently in free spins bonus offers as the sparkly slot’s originators. It has a couple of characteristics that make it fit into a welcome bonus like a hand in a glove. Firstly, it’s hugely accessible, open it up start spinning and you’ll have the hang of it within a few rounds, even as a beginner. Secondly, and it should be said, Starburst has a low minimum bet amount of €0.10 so it’s more risk-averse than other games for the online casinos. Its prominence means it’s the first online slot many of us (including me) ever played and we all remember our cherry popper. But that doesn’t fully explain why the game is held in such high esteem.
WHAT IS STARBURST ABOUT?
Yep, aside from the odd snob, everybody loves Starburst. Its immense popularity has undoubtedly been bred by familiarity but make no mistake, this is a moreish and beautifully constructed online slot. Its theme is simple. Anyone who ever gave their mates a whooping on pasting on Bejwelled a decade will recognise the shiny stones that make up the symbols. Just line up three adjacent symbols across 10 paylines to earn yourself some cash, and your chances are bolstered by a win both ways format. There’s no storyline as such, the soundtrack is low-key and gameplay simple. Yet you’ll find yourself spinning and spinning and spinning. It’s the perfect representation of the adage that less is more.
STARBURST BONUS FEATURES
The NetEnt team is famous for its innovative bonus features – they’ve come up with all sorts over the years. So, it initially might come as a surprise that compared to other titles in the company’s portfolio, Starburst is a sedate affair with only one key feature in addition to the ‘win both ways’ brilliance. If NetEnt ever release an online slot without Wilds, then an otter dies but breathe easy – they have not neglected their key feature here. If you land a wild in Starburst, it expands across the entire reel and triggers up to 3 re-spins. They’re your best chance of growing your prize pot at haste. The bonus features might be modest in number, but they are high in impact.
HOW CAN YOU PLAY STARBURST?
Starburst is, of course, available on all platforms. You can bring some sparkle to the small screen by playing it on your smartphone, iPad, iPhone or tablet. Alternatively, play it from your laptop to make the most the game’s simple, yet beautiful graphics. It’s optimised for all devices and available at hundreds of different online casinos. Even if a site only stocks a small number of NetEnt games, you can bet your bottom dollar that Starburst will be amongst them. If you’ve never played the game before, then it makes sense to choose a casino that offers casino free spins as part of the welcome package. As we said at the start of this review, those casinos aren’t hard to find and we’ll help you anyway.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING ON STARBURST?
It’s a slot for the massive so Starburst falls squarely in the mid-volatility sector. This means beginners and conservatives can build a cash pot slowly but surely from small wagers and gradual wins, but high rollers and daredevils can still take a punt for a decent jackpot of 50,000 coins. You can wile away hours on this slot and we’re often surprised (pleasantly) to see our balance at the end. The bet level and coin value combos give you lots of flexibility to play as you want.
OUR VERDICT ON STARBURST
Starburst remains a shining, sparkling example of simplicity and accessibility. It might feature more flashy jewels that a Kardashian mansion but it’s much less pretentious. It’s a game built around simple yet engrossing gameplay, great visuals, and mass appeal. Although it lends itself well to long sessions, we find it the perfect slot for some a quick play at lunchtime or a handful of mindless spins on the tube. Its simplicity should never be confused for humdrum, it would not have earned its place in the Hall of Fame without being incredibly engaging. Although those free spin welcome bonus offers do help of course.