Starburst XXXtreme

As perhaps one of the most anticipated sequels in crypto casino history, expectations were of course extremely high when Starburst XXXtreme was released on July 15, 2021. Almost as high as the volatility of the slot whose name turns out to be a very good description of what it's all about.

After NetEnt released a bunch of sequels in MegaWays versions during the same year - Fruit Shop, Dazzle Me, etc. - there was of course speculation that the next Starburst would also have the popular mechanics, but fortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, NetEnt stayed true to the original Starburst slot from 2012, a smart choice as the well-balanced game mechanics still holds up well. It has been spiced up in several ways, but the basic idea is the same: Expanding wilds that trigger a re-spin.

Starburst XXXtreme is a worthy sequel and true to the iconic original!

It is not only the volatility and potential max win that is XXXtreme, it is also the name of a play mode. Or two to be precise:

• The XXXtreme Spins mode that guarantees at least 1 star costs 10x the bet.
• The XXXtreme Spins mode that guarantees at least 2 stars costs 95x the bet.

RTP increases from 96.26% to 96.45% but it is not clear if there is any difference in RTP depending on which of the above modes you choose. We assume there isn't.

The Starburst XXXtreme casino game is played over nine (9) fixed paylines, and a win is created starting from left to right. The five reels are three symbols high.

Like in the original game, there is no free spins mode in Starburst XXXtreme. The aim simple: land Starburst Wilds, see them expand and trigger a respin. That is basically it.

The game's RTP is 96.26% in the base game but activating the XXXstreme spins mode increases it to 96.45%.

The maximum win is a whopping 200,000 times the bet which is an astronomical value that you will have to look hard to find elsewhere.

Starburst XXXtreme VS Starburst

The main differences between the two games are the following, apart from the fact that this one has a much higher volatility:

• You don't win both ways in Starburst XXXtreme
• The Starburst wild symbol carries a random multiplier (up to 150x).
• The Starburst Wild Symbol can appear randomly on the screen after a spin or re-spin.
• The XXXtreme Spins mode; for 10x the bet you are guaranteed one Starburst Wild Symbol, for 95x the bet you are guaranteed two!

The wild symbol in Starburst is the star of the show. It appears only on reels 2, 3 and 4. After it lands, it expands and fills up the entire reel. A random number generator is now running in the background to determine the size of the win multiplier that will now apply. The size can be as follows: 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 25x, 50x, 100x and 150x.

Additional Starburst wild multipliers are added to a total and applied at the end of each respin.

Wins are then paid out (including the multiplier) and the stars are locked. The remaining reels spin once more and if additional Starburst symbols appear, the steps above are repeated.

Random Starburst Wild

After each spin or re-spin - in our experience only on a non-winning spin, but not confirmed by the rules - up to three comets can hit reels 2, 3 and/or 4. These are Starburst wilds that, after impact, work just as they do otherwise.

This is a bonus/ante bet that guarantees at least 1 Starburst wild per round - you can still hit more. This costs 10 times the base bet and when it is activated, you spin as before but with increased bet size. I.e, you don't have to "buy" it every time.

With XXXtreme Spins activated RTP is increased to 96.45%.

For 95x your bet you are guaranteed at least 2 Starburst Wilds. One thing to take into account is that when you buy two guaranteed symbols, you "lose" a re-spin; Had you first landed one, and another on the subsequent re-spin , you would have collected an extra win. It's unclear if this is a negative but worth keeping in mind.

Having played quite alot. Our impression is that the cheaper XXXtreme spins mode is rather underwhelming. Very often the guaranteed star hits the 3rd or 4th reel and is unable to help. We prefer to go all out degen mode with the expensive spin (but adjust bet size accordingly), or just grind away at the regular mode. With the latter being our most common strategy.

Technically the game allows for a base bet of 50 USDT equivalent, but many crypto casinos cap the max to 5 to 10. Probably unwilling to take on the risk of paying out the possible maxwin of 200,000x.