Starburst XXXtreme

Starburst XXXtreme revisits NetEnt's iconic Starburst slot, injecting high volatility and amplified features into the familiar cosmic formula. Released in July 2021, this 5-reel, 3-row, 9-payline slot retains the original's space-age aesthetic with a dazzling backdrop of stars and planets but caters to players seeking a more volatile, potentially lucrative experience.

The visual and audio design echoes the original Starburst, evoking a sense of nostalgic familiarity. The soundtrack, a blend of futuristic synths and celestial chimes, further enhances the cosmic atmosphere. However, while the presentation evokes a sense of continuity, the gameplay mechanics reveal a significant shift in pace and potential.

The symbols themselves remain largely unchanged, with sparkling gems representing the lower values and lucky 7s and Bar symbols delivering the higher payouts. Landing five Bar symbols on a payline awards the highest base game payout of 50x the stake. A key difference from the original lies in the removal of the pay-both-ways system, meaning winning combinations must land on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost side.

The core of the excitement lies in the Starburst Wilds. Appearing on reels 2, 3, and 4, these Wilds expand to cover their entire reel and trigger a respin. Each Wild also carries a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 25x, 50x, 100x, or 150x. Multiple Wilds appearing during a respin sequence have their multipliers combined, potentially leading to significant wins. The maximum possible multiplier achievable through combined Wilds is a staggering 450x, significantly amplifying the game's win potential.

Adding another layer of unpredictability is the Random Wilds feature, which can activate at any point after a spin or respin. This feature randomly places 1 to 3 Starburst Wilds on the middle three reels, each with its own multiplier, further increasing the chances of hitting those cosmic payouts.

For players seeking to influence their luck, Starburst XXXtreme offers XXXtreme Spins. This feature allows players to pay a premium for guaranteed Starburst Wilds on every spin. Choosing one guaranteed Wild increases the bet by 10x, while opting for two guaranteed Wilds per spin boosts the cost to 95x the base bet. It's important to note that activating XXXtreme Spins affects the RTP, which ranges from 96.26% to 96.45% depending on whether this feature is active.

While Starburst XXXtreme might lack a traditional free spins bonus round, the combination of expanding, multiplier-laden Wilds, the Random Wilds feature, and the option to influence Wild appearances via XXXtreme Spins creates a unique and potentially highly rewarding gameplay loop that sets it apart from its predecessor. The introduction of multipliers to the Wilds is a particularly interesting choice, turning each Wild appearance into a moment of anticipation for potentially explosive wins. The high volatility, while requiring careful bankroll management, offers the potential for extraordinary payouts, catering to a risk-taking audience seeking thrilling gameplay.