If you’re a fan of online slots, then one name ought to ring a bell more than most others. And it’s the name of Starburst. It’s a classic game made by Starburst that still maintains a high degree of popularity today, despite the fact it was published several years ago. Well, NetEnt has decided to up the ante and create a sequel of this all-time favorite slot game, by the name of Starburst XXXtreme.
There are some great improvements that you can look forward to as you play this game. But is it really better than the classic Starburst game? Read our Starburst XXXtreme review below to find out.
The Popular Space Theme
If you’ve been playing online slots, then, by now, you’ve most likely come to realize that the space theme is quite popular in terms of online slots. There are many slots that have this theme. But the truth of the matter is that Starburst is the original title that made the space theme explode, so to speak.
Well, Starburst XXXtreme takes the next step in the space theme. However, the next step seems rather similar to what the first game has on offer. There really aren’t all that many differences in how the theme is presented. Perhaps this is the general idea, as it’s obvious that Starburst XXXtreme tries to look very much like its predecessor. And this isn’t a bad thing per se – as the theme of the game is streamlined to look more modern.
But if you were expecting something altogether new, then it’s best that you go and play a different game. Starburst XXXtreme does the original Starburst justice in terms of staying faithful to the original space theme formula. And this is even more so the case once you consider the fact that that Starburst XXXtreme uses the exact same symbol like the first game, such as:
- The 7 symbol,
- The BAR symbol,
- The Starburst symbol,
- The different-colored rubies.
The Gameplay Mechanics
By now, you have gotten the impression that there are no differences between Starburst and Starburst XXXtreme. And in terms of the them, to a degree, you would be right. But there are some exciting features that you can activate as you play the game.
First off, Starburst XXXtreme has 9 paylines, which is a slight downgrade from its predecessor’s 10 paylines. But the fact that there is a smaller number of paylines is more than made up for with the addition of the multiplier bonuses. And there are some special features that you can look forward to.
First off, you can decide to purchase an additional wild symbol for 10x of your bet. If you want to take things to the next level, then you can purchase 2 wild symbols for 90x of your wager. This may seem costly, but it means that you will have a lot bigger chances to win big money on your next spin. Truth be told though, you don’t have to purchase additional wild symbols as you can trigger them during the regular game – but they do come less frequently. What’s more, the betting strategy can influence the RTP rate, which can vary from 96.26% to 96.45%.
One of the main features of the original Starburst appears once again in the XXXtreme version. It’s the fact the Starburst wilds can appear on the second, third and fourth reels. And once they do appear, they expand to cover the entire reel and then they award the player an additional spin for free. So, this not only increases the chances of the player getting a win during the current spin, but it gives the player another chance to win with increased odds due to the entire reel being covered with the wild symbol.
The fun with the Starburst XXXtreme wild symbols doesn’t end there. Apart from giving additional wins and respsins, the wild symbols are also known to offer multiplier bonuses. And though there are some small multipliers to the tune of 1x or 2x, there’s always the chance that you will get a major win by triggering a 150x multiplier bonus. What’s more, the multipliers stack up, so you can make outstanding wins if you get lucky.
This is in line with the increased volatility level of the game. Since the game has high volatility, it means that the player will win less often when compared to the original Starburst game. But the wins will be a lot bigger, on average, so therein lies the tradeoff. If you fall into the high-roller category of gamblers, then you will definitely love this change in the new game. And as it stands, high volatility slot games are getting more and more popular and more and more people opt to play them more often when compared to low volatility slots.
Name and developer | Starburst XXXtreme by NetEnt |
RTP | 96.26 – 96.45% |
Variance | High |
Type | Space-themed slot with 9 paylines |
Scatter | The wild symbol can trigger exciting wins |
The Cons of Starburst XXXtreme
Starburst XXXtreme is a great game and it builds upon its predecessor in new and fun ways. However, we can’t really say that Starburst XXXtreme is on the same level like its predecessor was when it came out. The way the XXXtreme version works is as a homage to the previous version. But the game does hold its ground and it introduces several new features, including the multiplier bonuses that can win you big money if you get lucky. The high volatility also means that you will get less frequent wins – but bigger wins, also.
XXXtreme Space Burst
Despite the fact that NetEnt decided to add the “XXXtreme” phrase to the title, we still feel that Starburst XXXtreme has not reached its true potential. As a tribute to the original Starburst, the game does just fine and one of the best things about it is that it has a changed volatility rating, which will attract the high rollers. Either way, Starburst XXXtreme is a fun slot game with a list of special features that players will be delighted to activate as they play the game. We hope that you will enjoy playing it.