Starburst XXXtreme Review
Have a look at our Starburst XXXtreme review to learn all about this successor to the classic Starburst. Spoiler alert: the win potential is even bigger, but so is the slot’s volatility!
Starburst XXXtreme Review – Extreme Action All-Around!
Is Starburst XXXtreme better than the original Starburst? If you’re interested in bigger wins, then absolutely! The “XXXtreme” is there for a reason, but it comes a cost: super-high volatility. If you’re willing to take the risk, this online slot can massively reward you for your efforts. Check out everything this slot has to offer, including its four rewarding special features!
What I Checked in Starburst XXXtreme
This is what I reviewed in Starburst XXXtreme. It’s my usual slot review process, which places an emphasis on the payouts and bonus features. We’ll both agree that aesthetics like graphics and audio qualities matter as well, which is why I review those aspects too, but I value them as secondary qualities in terms of overall importance.
- Basic Slot Details
- Game and Bonus Features
- Graphics and Sound
- Who Made Starburst XXXtreme
Starburst XXXtreme Slot Details
General Details | |||
Slot type | Video slot | Number of rows | 3 |
Provider | NetEnt | Reels | 5 |
Starburst XXXtreme features 5 reels, 3 rows and 9 paylines, which is an almost identical setup to its predecessor – Starburst. This layout is a deviation from the standard video slot setup of 5 reels and 25 paylines, but Starburst XXXtreme makes up for its fewer paylines through its high-paying features.
I find this setup ideal and well-balanced. You should keep in mind that Starburst XXXtreme is a high volatility slot, meaning it’s not well-suited to casual players. The wins can be massive, but relatively infrequent compared to low volatility slots such as Blood Suckers.
Starburst XXXtreme Game and Bonus Features
Features | No. | List |
Base Game Features | 4 | Starburst Stacked Wild, Random Wilds, Multipliers, Re-spins |
Bonus Buy Features | 1 | XXXtreme Spins |
Bonus Games Features | 0 | N/A |
All About That Base (Game)
All of Starburst XXXtreme’s special features are in base game. You won’t find a bonus game like a free spins round, a click to win bonus round, or a jackpot wheel. In fact, there is nothing that will take you away from the default game screen.
With that said, it’s these base game features which make Starburst XXXtreme what it is – a volatile, high-paying, and extremely entertaining video slot. Let’s explore them and see what this slot is all about.
The Starburst Wild Symbol (Always Stacked!)
The Starburst Wild is the heart of Starburst XXXtreme. Every time this symbol appears, it expands to cover an entire reel. Therefore, it is a Stacked Wild by default. This symbol can only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. It substitutes for all other symbols, and pays the highest possible winning combination on a bet line.
The Starburst Wild comes with two bonus features of its own: re-spins and multipliers.
Re-Spins
When one or more Starburst Wilds appears on the reels, it awards a free Re-Spin. If another Starburst Wild appears during a Re-Spin, a subsequent Re-Spin will be awarded.
While a Re-Spin is active, the Wilds are locked in place, while the rest of the reels spin again. The Re-Spins end if your next spin doesn’t trigger an additional Wild.
Multipliers
Every Starburst Wild symbol awards a random multiplier between x2 to x150 of your stake. This multiplier is applied to your initial spin, and the subsequent Re-Spin. If more Starburst Wilds appear during a Re-Spin, these multipliers are combined.
Random Wilds
The Random Wild is a random trigger feature that can happen on any normal spin or Re-Spin. This feature randomly activates 1 to 3 Starburst Wild symbols.
XXXpensive Bonus Buy Feature
Bonus Buy Costs | |
Minimum-Maximum Cost | $20 – $4,750 |
Bonus Buy Cost | X10 stake size – X95 stake size |
Number of Free Spins Unlocked | 0 |
The XXXtreme spins is not a traditional bonus buy feature, since Starburst XXXtreme doesn’t have a bonus round. This feature enhances your spins with guaranteed Wild symbols.
You can choose one of two options:
- 1 Guaranteed Wild Per Spin
- 2 Guaranteed Wilds Per Spin
This feature can be activated or deactivated on any spin. Obviously, it’s a high-risk, high-reward feature, considering that it can cost you up to $4,750 per spin. I must note that the game’s RTP is slightly increased during XXXtreme spins, jumping from the regular 96.11% to 96.40% with 1 Guaranteed Wild, and 96.46% with 2 Guaranteed Wilds. I can’t recommend or disapprove of this feature. It’s essentially playing the same game, by the same rules, with the risks multiplied almost a hundred-fold. The decision is yours to make.
Hold and Win Mechanics
Starburst XXXtreme doesn’t have any Hold and Win mechanics.
Bonus Game Features
Starburst XXXtreme doesn’t have bonus features outside of the base game. This slot’s rewarding features are all within the base game, such as the Starburst Wild, Re-spins, random Wilds, and Multipliers.
What Innovative Special Features Can Be Seen in Starburst XXXtreme?
SPECIAL FEATURES | |
Autoplay option | 👍 |
Change game speed | 👍 |
Mute sound | 👍 |
Adjust bet size | 👍 |
I didn’t find anything missing while playing Starburst XXXtreme. I could easily adjust my bet size by clicking two buttons. There was no need to adjust coin and paylines separately. The reels can spin faster if you want, and you can configure autoplay up to 1000 spins. Moreover, autoplay has advanced settings that can stop the auto spins on any win, if a single win exceeds X amount, or if your balance increases/decreases by X amount.
What’s the Story Behind Starburst XXXtreme’s Theme?
Starburst XXXtreme has an identical theme to the original. I found the familiar, space-y, dazzling gems action as enjoyable as ever. Once you activate XXXtreme spins, you’ll launch into “hyperdrive”, as the background shifts and indicates that more extreme action is unfolding. Ultimately it comes down to preference, but I personally love Starburst XXXtreme’s theme and story. It doesn’t have anything special behind it, it just looks and plays good.
Top-Notch Graphics
As expected from NetEnt, Starburst XXXtreme comes with sublime graphics that can rival any slot on the market. The high-definition symbols, smooth animations, and modern layout are all 10 out of 10 in my book.
Sound Effects Fitting for a Space Adventure
The almost-melancholic, space-y, soundtrack is a breath of fresh air, even though its identical to its predecessor. If it works, why change it? The sound effects are sound and feel great as well. Whether you’re playing regularly or with XXXtreme spins, everything you hear fits perfectly with what’s happening on screen.
Who Made Starburst XXXtreme?
Starburst XXXtreme was made by NetEnt, and the original Starburst is their magnum opus. NetEnt are behind many of the industry’s most beloved slots, such as Gonzo’s Quest, Blood Suckers, Guns ‘N Roses, and many others.
A Few of Our Favorite Slots by NetEnt We Think You Might Enjoy!
Browse some Starburst XXXtreme alternatives that we feel you might like.
- Starburst
- Crystal Sun
- Magic Stars 3
Conclusion – Is Starburst XXXtreme Better Than The Others?
With thousands of slots available on the market, it’s impossible to say which is best, Starburst XXXtreme included. It’s noteworthy to say that this is a high-paying, but also highly volatile video slot. It’s not meant for casual play. In that sense, it’s similar to many Megaways slots. There are many familiar slots to Starburst XXXtreme that offer a space theme, but different mechanics. Feel free to browse them and see what matches your taste. With that said, Starburst XXXtreme is one of the best, most entertaining and rewarding slots on the market.