Starburst XXXtreme

Starburst XXXtreme Slot Review

Nearly a decade after its original release in 2012, NetEnt revisited one of the most iconic online slots ever created. The original Starburst achieved legendary status with its simple mechanics and bidirectional paylines, becoming the go-to slot for millions of players worldwide. Starburst XXXtreme, released in July 2021, maintains the visual identity and core reel structure whilst dramatically reworking the mathematics underneath.

Rather than chasing mechanics like Megaways, NetEnt focused on volatility transformation. The XXXtreme variant shifts from the original’s low-variance gameplay to a high volatility experience with maximum win potential reaching 200,000x stake, compared to the original’s 500x cap. The trade-off is evident: bidirectional paylines have been removed in favour of a sophisticated multiplier system that can deliver extraordinary returns when wilds align.

Base Game & Features

NetEnt preserved the familiar 5 reels, 3 rows configuration from the original, maintaining visual continuity with the iconic space theme. The cosmic background features planets positioned at the corners, surrounding the reels with the same vibrant aesthetic that made the 2012 release so visually appealing. This design philosophy was deliberate; by keeping XXXtreme nearly identical to the original, NetEnt ensured that players experienced immediate recognition whilst discovering substantial mechanical differences.

The game operates on 9 fixed paylines, but here’s the crucial change: paylines now run left to right only. The original’s celebrated “Win Both Ways” feature, which allowed paylines to trigger from both directions, has been removed. Minimum winning combinations require at least three matching symbols on a payline. The symbol set remains unchanged, with Bar and 7 serving as the highest-paying symbols, whilst lower-paying gems include yellow, green, red, blue, and purple stones.

Betting range spans £0.10 to £50 per spin for standard gameplay, though this expands significantly when activating the XXXtreme Spins feature. The RTP sits at 96.26% for base play, increasing to 96.45% when using XXXtreme Spins consistently.

Starburst Wild Symbol

The Starburst Wild has been substantially upgraded from its original incarnation. Wilds appear exclusively on reels 2, 3, and 4, maintaining the middle-reel positioning from the original. When a wild lands, it expands to cover the entire reel and awards a respin with the wild locked in place. This core mechanic remains from the original, but the upgrade comes through the multiplier system.

Each wild that lands carries a random multiplier value: 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 25x, 50x, 100x, or 150x. When multiple wilds participate in a winning combination, their multiplier values are summed together. Landing three wilds, each with the maximum 150x multiplier, produces a combined 450x multiplier on that win. This multiplication system compensates for the removed bidirectional paylines, introducing far greater win volatility.

Random Wilds Feature

The Random Wilds feature can trigger after any spin or respin, adding unpredictability to base gameplay. When activated, between 1 and 3 Starburst Wilds are randomly placed on the middle three reels (reels 2, 3, and 4). These wilds behave identically to naturally-landed wilds: they expand, award respins, and carry random multiplier values. The feature’s random nature means activation frequency varies considerably, though when it does trigger with multiple wilds, the multiplier combinations can produce substantial wins.

Starburst XXXtreme Bonus Features

Unlike traditional bonus buy mechanics that purchase entry to a free spins round, XXXtreme Spins operates as a per-spin stake multiplier that guarantees wild symbols. This isn’t a one-time purchase; it’s an optional betting mode that players activate or deactivate at will. The feature offers two tiers, each with distinct cost structures and guaranteed returns.

XXXtreme Spins Mechanics

Tier 1 costs 10x your base bet per spin and guarantees 1 Starburst Wild will land on reels 2, 3, or 4. For players with a £1 base bet, each Tier 1 XXXtreme Spin costs £10. The guaranteed wild expands, awards a respin, and carries a random multiplier (2x–150x).

Tier 2 escalates to 95x your base bet per spin, guaranteeing 2 Starburst Wilds on the middle reels. Using the same £1 base bet example, each Tier 2 XXXtreme Spin costs £95. Two guaranteed wilds significantly increase multiplier combination potential, as their values sum together.

The RTP adjustment reflects these mechanics: base play sits at 96.26%, whilst consistent use of XXXtreme Spins (either tier) pushes RTP to 96.45%. The feature allows for flexible strategy; players can activate XXXtreme Spins for specific spins rather than committing to extended sessions, making it suitable for both budget-conscious players using Tier 1 selectively and high-stakes players employing Tier 2 consistently.

Importantly, XXXtreme Spins retrigger the Random Wilds feature, meaning guaranteed wilds from the stake increase can be supplemented by additional random wilds during respins, creating scenarios where all three middle reels fill with multiplier-carrying wilds.

Our Honest Verdict

Starburst XXXtreme represents a calculated redesign rather than a wholesale reinvention. NetEnt identified what made the original work (visual appeal, expanding wilds, simple mechanics) and retained those elements whilst addressing the low volatility that limited its appeal to variance chasers. The result sits in an unusual middle ground: it looks and feels like Starburst, yet plays like a completely different slot.

The removal of bidirectional paylines will disappoint purists who valued that defining feature of the original. However, the multiplier system provides genuine compensation. Wild multipliers ranging up to 150x each, with the ability to combine to 450x when three land, deliver win potential that dwarfs the original’s 500x maximum. The 200,000x cap positions XXXtreme firmly in high-variance territory.

XXXtreme Spins offer strategic flexibility. The 10x Tier 1 option provides guaranteed action without bankrupting sessions, whilst Tier 2’s 95x cost suits high-rollers chasing maximum multiplier combinations. The feature’s per-spin nature (rather than one-time bonus buy) allows players to control exactly when they increase volatility.

Compared to other Starburst series entries, XXXtreme sits between the original’s accessibility and Galaxy’s 2024 Cluster Pays mechanics. Galaxy offers 25,000x maximum with a completely different win system, positioning it as the experimental variant. XXXtreme, by contrast, respects the original’s structure whilst multiplying its potential eightfold. For players seeking higher volatility without abandoning familiar mechanics, XXXtreme succeeds. Those who preferred the original’s low-variance consistency may find the redesign too aggressive. 7.5/10

Starburst XXXtreme FAQs

• What is the RTP of Starburst XXXtreme?

  Starburst XXXtreme has an RTP of 96.26% for base gameplay. When using the XXXtreme Spins feature consistently, the RTP increases to 96.45%. Both values are within industry-standard ranges for high volatility slots.
• What is the maximum win on Starburst XXXtreme?

  The maximum win potential is 200,000x your stake. This represents a dramatic increase from the original Starburst’s 500x cap, reflecting the XXXtreme variant’s shift to high volatility gameplay.
• Does Starburst XXXtreme have free spins?

  Starburst XXXtreme doesn’t have a traditional free spins bonus round. Instead, it features a respin mechanic where landing Starburst Wilds triggers respins with the wilds locked in place. The XXXtreme Spins feature (10x or 95x stake increase) guarantees wild symbols but operates per spin rather than as a free spins mode.
• Can I play Starburst XXXtreme on mobile?

  Yes. Starburst XXXtreme is built using HTML5 technology, making it fully compatible with mobile devices including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The game interface scales appropriately for smaller screens whilst maintaining full functionality.
• What is the XXXtreme Spins feature and how does it work?

  XXXtreme Spins is a per-spin stake multiplier offering two tiers: Tier 1 costs 10x your base bet and guarantees 1 Starburst Wild, whilst Tier 2 costs 95x your base bet and guarantees 2 wilds. Unlike traditional bonus buys, you activate this feature for individual spins rather than purchasing entry to a bonus round.
• How does Starburst XXXtreme differ from the original Starburst?

  The main differences are: XXXtreme has high volatility (vs original’s low volatility), 200,000x maximum win (vs 500x), 9 left-to-right paylines (vs 10 bidirectional), and wild multipliers ranging 2x-150x (original wilds had no multipliers). Visually, the games are nearly identical, but the mathematics are fundamentally different.