If there’s one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has failed to bring down, it’s the online gaming industry. The hustle and bustle, party atmosphere of your average casino is an obvious no-go in these times of self-isolation. But the ability to play online from the comfort of one’s room has given online gaming a huge boost over the last year-and-a-half.

“Players are playing more than ever to both socialize and spend time. This is why they prefer games with multiplayer features,” writes TechGuide.

With thousands of gaming choices out there in the cyber world, Las Vegas shines as bright as its namesake as it continues to bring new stars to the gaming horizon. The latest in this cosmos of online betting is the new Starburst game, an extreme sequel to a spectacular favourite among slots fans.

NetEnt Aims High with Starburst XXXtreme

NetEnt studios released its latest video slot, Starburst XXXTreme, on July 15, 2021. This is the follow-up to NetEnt’s space-themed mainstay, Starburst, the popular space-themed online slot machine.

“There's extreme, and then there's XXXtreme!” boasts NetEnt, referring to the game’s key features. The main appeal of Starburst XXXtreme lies in its futuristic visuals and sound effects.

Starburst steps away from classic slot themes and instead provides an experience that’s as close to space travel as you could expect from a slot experience. As the name suggests, Starburst XXXtreme is the more intense and exciting follow up to what is already one of the most popular and engaging slot machines out there.

Just as importantly, the game runs incredibly smoothly

Visuals and Symbols

Visually, Starburst XXXtreme plays on the idea of stars and other celestial bodies as treasures to be discovered. The game draws on a cool colour palette—soft blues, greens, and purples playing off dulled-down oranges, yellows, and reds. The classic selection of fruit is here replaced by an array of glittering gemstones of different geometric shapes.

The connection between big money and astronomy is crystal clear, with stars acting as the true jewels of any slot machine – the wilds. Bars and 7s are designed as ringed planets, increasing their visual appeal and highlighting their rare beauty that denotes a big payoff.

Features

Starburst XXXtreme is played on 5 spinning reels in 3 rows. Betting ranges from 10 cents to $50, with a maximum payout of 200,000x. There are 3 modes of play: Starburst Wilds, Random Wilds, and XXXtreme Spins.

1. Starburst Wilds: Wilds, such as X5 and X6, appear on reels 2, 3, and 4 and substitute for all symbols. Each Wild that lands on a row expands and awards a Re-Spin as well as a random Multiplier. Any additional Starburst Wild symbol that lands on the reels during a Re-Spin also acts as a Wild—expanding and bringing another Re-Spin award. Reels covered with Starburst Wild symbols are locked during subsequent spins.
2. Random Wilds: As the name suggests, this feature brings surprise rewards. The Random Wilds feature is randomly activated after a spin or a Re-Spin, awarding 1-3 Starburst Wild symbols that land on reels 2,3, and 4. Each Starburst Wild symbol awards a random Multiplier of any of these values: x2, x3, x5, x10. x25, x50, x100, x150. The highest possible random Multiplier is x150, and of course this can go even higher if more than one Multiplier lands during a spin or a Re-Spin!
3. XXXtreme Spins: For players who love to keep the stakes high, it’s possible to purchase XXXtreme Spins. It comes with perks, for sure. Activating XXXtreme Spins guarantees Starburst Wilds. XXXtreme Spins cost 10x the bet for 1 guaranteed Starburst Wild symbol per spin, and 95x the bet for 2 guaranteed Starburst Wild symbols per spin.

Win Lines

Starburst XXXtreme has 9 fixed win lines. Bet line wins pay if the same symbol appears in succession from the left­most reel to the rightmost reel. Only the highest win per bet line is paid. Malfunction voids all pays and plays.

The Final Word

This new quest for treasure in space is an attraction for players of various stakes levels. They can get lucky at the beginner’s level, playing it safe with the Wilds feature, or rev it up by opting for the Random Wilds. Or, they can go extreme with XXXtreme Spins and put more at stake to grab the best jewels in space at LiveRoulette's Slot Category.

Regardless of where you put your stakes in the game, Starburst XXXTreme makes the case for itself with the brilliantly executed theme. Feeling the space atmosphere while earning wild gems for rewards adds a good dose of rocket fuel and meteoric win potential.

AdAge reported recently that online gambling showed strong growth amid the lockdown in the United States: “Commercial gambling accelerated amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and now more than ever it’s important to have a comprehensive look at gambling prevalence and behaviors in the U.S.”

Navigating space in search of a big win is exactly the kind of contrast to the day-to-day experience of the homebound gambler. Starburst XXXTreme provides an adventure of liberation and wealth that’s just too good to resist. This is a game that sends the thrill of gambling into hyperdrive.