Superstars (NetEnt) Slot Review

Superstars: Slot Overview

Superstars is a slot developed by NetEnt, released on October 27, 2022. This title celebrates the provider’s most iconic characters, including Finn, Gonzo, Lady Pig, Brute, and a character inspired by Starburst, combining them into a nostalgic experience on a 5×5 grid with 45 paylines. The game employs a medium/high volatility math model and offers a maximum win potential of 4,596x the stake. Gameplay revolves around standard matching in the base game, escalating into a distinctive board game-style bonus round that incorporates hold-and-win mechanics, modifiers, and character-themed features. Superstars targets loyal NetEnt fans who appreciate retro references and dynamic bonus action, blending fan service with technical reliability, including an RTP of 96.08% at the highest setting (with operator-selectable alternatives of 94.06% and 92.01%).

Design and Graphics

The visual presentation of Superstars features a vibrant, rainbow-colored background evoking a luxurious casino floor, creating an energetic and inviting atmosphere for the base game. Symbols are prominently displayed, with lower-paying options consisting of classic 10-A card ranks rendered in polished, thematic styling. Premium symbols showcase the five NetEnt mascots—Finn, Gonzo, Lady Pig, Brute, and the Starburst gem—each with distinct cartoon-like designs, colorful palettes, and animated expressions that add personality and flair to every spin. Animations are smooth and responsive, enhancing the lighthearted, arcade-inspired aesthetic without overwhelming the interface.During the bonus round, the design shifts dramatically to a board game interface resembling a vibrant Monopoly-style layout. Glowing multipliers, dice rolls, and special squares populate the board, accompanied by dynamic transitions, particle effects, and high-energy visuals that heighten immersion. The token movement, feature activations, and escalating prizes are accompanied by fluid animations, ensuring a seamless and visually stimulating progression. Overall, the graphics maintain high production quality, balancing nostalgic charm with modern polish across both desktop and mobile platforms.

Gameplay Mechanics

Superstars operates on a 5×5 grid with 45 fixed paylines, where wins form by landing matching symbols from left to right on adjacent reels. The paytable divides symbols into lower-paying 10-A royals and higher-paying premiums represented by the iconic NetEnt characters: Finn, Gonzo, Lady Pig, Brute, and the Starburst gem. These premiums trigger distinct animations upon forming wins, contributing to the base game’s rhythmic flow of spins. Notably, wild symbols do not appear in the base game, keeping the focus on scatters for progression.

The core mechanic revolves around diamond scatter symbols, which trigger the bonus round upon landing three or more anywhere on the grid. This initiates a hold-and-win style feature framed within a board game progression. Players begin with 3 respins, which reset to 3 each time a new multiplier symbol lands. Dice symbols introduce movement: landing them advances a token across the board, where special squares activate character-based features. Additional dice can appear during the round, injecting unpredictability and extending play. The base game remains straightforward, serving primarily as a pathway to this layered bonus structure, with steady symbol drops and clear win evaluations maintaining accessibility for all player levels.

Bonus Features

The bonus round in Superstars is the centerpiece, triggered by 3+ diamond scatter symbols and combining hold-and-win respins with board game navigation and character modifiers. Starting with 3 respins that reset on new multipliers, the feature emphasizes Dice symbols for token movement around a board populated by multipliers and triggers. Landing on themed squares activates one of the following character features:

Additional board elements include Extra Spin (increases respin counter to 4) and Extra Life (grants a heart that restores spins if depleted). Landing on a Wheel square spins for rewards such as extra dice (1 or 2), +1 to all multipliers, an Upgrade adding 1x bet to blanks, a random character feature, or a Replay of the last feature.When all board positions fill with multipliers, the Final Game activates, awarding 25x to 1,000x multipliers on each tile except two special dice tiles. Remaining dice navigate this phase, with the first roll doubled if a prior Replay was triggered. A Buy Feature option allows direct access for 150x the bet, bypassing the base game for immediate bonus entry. These mechanics create a highly variable, engaging round with layered progression and escalating potential.

Betting Options and Payouts

Betting ranges from €0.10 to €100 per spin, accommodating casual players and high rollers alike. The medium/high volatility results in clustered wins, primarily during the bonus round, where multipliers and features drive payouts. The top RTP of 96.08% provides solid long-term value, though versions at 94.06% or 92.01% may be operator-dependent—always verify the active setting. Maximum payout caps at 4,596x the stake, achievable through optimal bonus paths like filled boards and amplified multipliers in the Final Game. Payout behavior favors bursty sessions, with base game hits modest but sufficient to sustain play until scatters align.

Conclusion

Superstars excels in its innovative bonus round, blending hold-and-win respins, board navigation, and NetEnt character modifiers for unpredictable, high-engagement gameplay. Strengths include vibrant design, nostalgic appeal, and feature variety, from Dice-driven movement to Wheel rewards and the climactic Final Game. Weaknesses lie in the base game’s simplicity, which lacks wilds or frequent mini-features, potentially feeling routine between bonuses. The 4,596x max win and 96.08% RTP offer balanced potential without extremes. Players can test the slot risk-free using the built-in demo available on this page. Overall, Superstars delivers a polished, fan-oriented experience that shines for those valuing thematic depth and bonus spectacle over relentless base action.