Starburst

Starburst is NetEnt's best known slot and one of the most popular online pokies in New Zealand. Released in 2012, it pairs a bright space-and-jewels theme with fast, simple gameplay and a low-risk maths model, which is why casinos serving Kiwi players so often attach free spins to it. This page covers how the Starburst pokie plays, what to expect, and where to try it for free or for real in NZD.

How Starburst plays

Starburst runs on 5 reels and 3 rows with 10 fixed paylines, and it pays Both Ways, so wins land from the leftmost and the rightmost reel at the same time. The centre of the game is the Starburst Wild: it appears on reels 2, 3 and 4, expands to cover the whole reel, locks in place and awards a re-spin. Up to three re-spins can run in a row while new wilds keep landing, and that is where the pokie's better wins come from. There is no separate free spins round or bonus game, so every spin stays quick.

Starburst RTP, volatility and max win

Starburst has an RTP of about 96.1% and low volatility, so wins come often but tend to be small. The maximum win is 500x your stake on a single paid spin. That low volatility is exactly why Starburst is a favourite for wagering free spins and welcome offers: frequent small wins make playthrough requirements easier to clear than a high-volatility pokie would. It is built for steady, casual sessions rather than one big prize.

Playing Starburst in New Zealand

Starburst is available at almost every online casino that accepts New Zealand players, and you can play it in NZD once you deposit. You can also try the free demo above with play money to get a feel for the re-spins before committing real cash, with no account or deposit needed. If you play for real, the casinos listed on this page currently offer Starburst to New Zealand players, several with free spins on the pokie itself. Always read the specific terms, as free spin winnings normally carry wagering requirements.

Is Starburst worth playing?

For most Kiwi players the appeal is simplicity: no complicated features, a low-risk maths model and a genuinely iconic look. If you want big-win potential or bonus rounds, a higher-volatility NetEnt pokie such as Gonzo's Quest will suit you better. As an easy, low-stakes pokie, and as somewhere to use free spins, Starburst is still hard to beat. Please gamble responsibly and only stake what you are comfortable losing.