Suncatcher vs Starburst Duel Review

Take a ride into hyperspace & compare the cosmic power of Suncatcher versus Starburst video slots!

Yggdrasil’s new Suncatcher video slot and NetEnt’s classic Starburst video slot, are two chart-topping games in the cosmic themed gaming niche. There’s no doubting there are some similarities between these games’ style, looks, playability, bonus action and payout power – but which one will hit the heights and blast your mobile gaming into orbit?

Take a look at our expert opinion, as we spin Suncatcher versus Starburst video slots!

THEMES & STUDIO

‘Suncatcher slot has a more futuristic vibe, with slicker graphics and hot-trending Gigablox™ reel feature.’

Starburst slot was released by NetEnt in 2012, while Suncatcher Gigablox™ was launched by Yggdrasil in 2021. Fundamentally, both games were created by leading gaming studios and deliver top quality slot gaming across all devices.

When it comes to the themes, it’s another tight affair, with both games having brash and exciting cosmic themes, fuelled by bright neon graphics that will have fans of arcade video slots, purring. It’s fair to say that if you’re into space themed video slots, both these games will leave you satisfied, featuring super-bright arcade gamescapes and cool sound effects. However, the fact that Suncatcher was released nearly a decade after Starburst, means that Suncatcher slot has a more futuristic vibe, with slicker graphics and the hot-trending Gigablox™ reel feature.

SLOT MECHANICS

Starburst slot and Suncatcher slot are both arcade style spinners that deliver slick slot gaming across desktop and mobile devices. When it comes to playability and options, both games offer similar quality and characteristics.

Starburst is a low volatility video slot, with an RTP of 96.09%, average hit rate of 22.65% and betting range from 0.10 to 100.

Similarly, Suncatcher has a low-mid level volatility, RTP of 96% and betting range from 0.10 to 500.

With both games having ten paylines across five reels, it’s fair to say the performance of the games is typically similar. You can expect plenty of consistency and frequent winning spins in a typical slit session of 50-100+ rounds. You can also expect good value for money when playing these slots with a budget-aligned and consistent spin size, in a typical slot session. You can also easily adapt both slots to your preferred style, by adjusting the settings – such as spin speed, sound effects, autospins and loss limits.

Since its release in 2012, Starburst slot has consistently ranked as a top game and often features as a free spins game on casino welcome bonuses. The game retains iconic status almost a decade later. However, newer games like Suncatcher slot, are hot on its heels, with slicker graphics, more bonus features and bigger maximum win power. 

PAYOUT POWER

‘Even better, the Gigablox™ and bonus features in Suncatcher, can send the maximum payout as high as x1430 the triggering bet – a bonus boost significantly bigger than Starburst.’

Starburst slot has eight symbols (Bar, 7, Yellow Gem, Green Gem, Orange Gem, Blue Gem, Purple Gem, Wild) that pay from x5 to x250 the triggering bet, for spinning 3-5 symbol combinations. Spinning a Golden Bar on every reels pays out a whopping x250 max base game win. Bonus features can see the the max payout increase to x500 – a win range between and €50 and €50,000.

Suncatcher also has eight symbols, that payout from x0.4 to x25 for 3-5 symbol combinations (Sun crystal, Red crystal, Yellow crystal, Green crystal, Turquoise crystal, Pink crystal, Blue crystal, Purple crystal). While at first glance, the base game wins in Starburst may look bigger, the power of the Gigablox™ creates a huge number of chances to win on Suncatcher slot. Even better, the Gigablox™ and bonus features in Suncatcher, can send the maximum payout as high as x1430 the triggering bet – a bonus boost significantly bigger than Starburst. This gives Suncatcher video slot a huge maximum payout range between and €143 on a €0.10 spin and €715,000 on the max bet of €100.

Overall, when it comes to the symbols and payouts in these two slots, there are fundamental similarities. However, Suncatcher gets the edge, thanks to the potential of the Gigablox™ and bigger maximum bonus win potential.

BONUS FEATURES: SUNCATCHER VS STARBURST 

‘Suncatcher slot is loaded with extra bonus features, giving it an edge against its older rival.’

There’s no doubt that NetEnt’s Starburst slot has been a cult classic on the internet for years, and provided inspiration to the Yggdrasil team, when creating Suncatcher slot in 2021. While the games have similar themes, looks and symbols, Suncatcher slot is loaded with extra bonus features, giving it an edge against its older rival. Here’s a snapshot of each game’s bonuses:

Starburst slot bonuses

Starburst features a Starburst wild which can land on reels 2, 3 or 4. The wild triggers a re-spin where the the symbol expands to fill the whole reel and remains sticky. Spinning another wild on the re-spin continues the bonus cycle, with up to three re-spins possible. The most powerful bonus run is triggered by landing three wilds on the central reel, with wins paid both-ways across ten paylines, the lucky player gains 20 guaranteed payouts, with the chance to gain huge wins if the BAR lands on their third re-spin.

Suncatcher Gigablox™ slot bonuses

If you play at Suncatcher Gigablox™ slot sites, then you can experience the extra bonus features that the game has, compared to Suncatcher. Firstly, Suncatcher Gigablox™ features its namesake as a key feature – the Gigablox™! These giant symbols guarantee at least one set of synched reels, on every spin with big blocks on the reels – creating a 2×2 or 3×3 giant block, with the random chance of multiple blocked reels on a every spin. Suncatcher slot also has a Wild Respin, which awards a free re-spin with an expanding sticky wild, if you spin-in a new expanding wild. Even better, if the slotscape if filled with wilds, you gain a 500x win, in addition to any regular payouts. In terms of general gameplay, Sunburst’s 10+10 win-both-ways style, creates a vast number of ways to win, while the chance to select the Golden Bet (double stake) will appeal to players seeking extra bonus chance.

Overall, both Starburst slot and Suncatcher slot, have potentially lucrative bonus features, if you get sufficiently lucky. If you love simplicity, then arguably the classic format of Starburst will appeal. However, when it comes to more sophisticated bonuses and variety, Suncatcher is the winner – particularly when you factor in the potential for the game to create much bigger max wins compared to Starburst.

FAQs

VERDICT: SUNCATCHER VS STARBURST DUEL REVIEW

‘Suncatcher is a new kid on the block, with superior looks, bonus features and higher maximum payout potential.’