Three Slots, Three Legends
Ask any experienced slot player to name the most iconic online slots, and three names come up repeatedly: Gonzo's Quest, Book of Dead, and Starburst.
These aren't just popular games - they're the slots that defined modern online gambling. Between them, they've entertained millions of players and paid out billions in winnings. But they play very differently from each other.
So which one deserves your time and money? Let's break them down.
The Quick Comparison
| Feature | Starburst | Book of Dead | Gonzo's Quest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | NetEnt | Play'n GO | NetEnt |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2016 | 2011 |
| RTP | 96.09% | 96.21% | 95.97% |
| Volatility | Low-Medium | High | Medium-High |
| Max Win | 500x | 5,000x | 2,500x |
| Free Spins | No | Yes | Yes |
| Special Feature | Expanding Wilds | Expanding Symbol | Avalanche Multipliers |
Already you can see the fundamental differences. Starburst is the gentle introduction, Book of Dead is the high-risk adventure, and Gonzo's Quest sits somewhere between.
Starburst: The Gateway Slot
What Makes It Special
Starburst is often the first slot new players try, and there's good reason for that. It's simple, fast, and delivers frequent wins that keep you engaged without destroying your bankroll.
The Starburst Wild is the only bonus feature, but it's elegant: wild symbols expand to cover entire reels and trigger a respin. Land wilds on multiple reels and the respins continue, potentially filling the screen with wins.
Who Should Play Starburst
Choose Starburst if you:
- Are new to online slots
- Prefer consistent, smaller wins over boom-or-bust sessions
- Have a limited bankroll and want longer playing time
- Find complex bonus rounds confusing rather than exciting
- Want a relaxing, low-stress slot experience
Avoid Starburst if you:
- Chase big wins (500x max is modest by modern standards)
- Get bored without free spins or bonus games
- Find the lack of features makes sessions repetitive
The Starburst Experience
A typical Starburst session feels steady. You'll rarely go more than 10-15 spins without a win, though most wins are small - 2x to 10x stake. The expanding wilds provide occasional excitement with 50x-100x wins, but the truly massive hits just aren't possible.
This predictability is either the game's greatest strength or its main weakness, depending on what you're looking for.
Book of Dead: The High-Roller's Choice
What Makes It Special
Book of Dead is essentially a homage to the classic Book of Ra, and it's become arguably more popular than its inspiration. The ancient Egyptian theme is beautifully executed, but the real draw is the free spins mechanic.
When you trigger 10 free spins, a random symbol is chosen as the special expanding symbol. If that symbol is the explorer (Rich Wilde), you're in for potential massive wins - a screen full of the highest-paying symbol with 10x multiplier possibilities.
Who Should Play Book of Dead
Choose Book of Dead if you:
- Have a larger bankroll and can weather long dry spells
- Love the anticipation of high-volatility gameplay
- Find free spins with expanding symbols exciting
- Want the possibility of truly life-changing wins
- Understand and accept that most sessions will end in losses
Avoid Book of Dead if you:
- Need regular wins to enjoy a session
- Have a limited bankroll (the variance will eat it quickly)
- Get frustrated during extended losing streaks
- Prefer games where skill or decisions matter
The Book of Dead Experience
Book of Dead sessions are feast or famine. You might spin 200 times in the base game winning almost nothing, then trigger free spins with the explorer symbol and win 2,000x your stake in seconds. Or you might trigger free spins, get a low-value expanding symbol, and win 15x stake.
This is a slot for players who genuinely enjoy the tension of high variance. If you check your balance constantly and feel anxious during cold spells, Book of Dead will not be fun for you.
Understanding slot volatility is essential before playing games like this.
Gonzo's Quest: The Middle Ground
What Makes It Special
Gonzo's Quest pioneered the avalanche (tumbling reels) mechanic that's now used in countless slots. Instead of traditional spinning reels, symbols fall from above. Winning combinations explode and new symbols fall in, with multipliers increasing with each consecutive win.
The base game can chain wins with up to 5x multiplier, while free falls (triggered by landing three free fall symbols) push multipliers to 15x.
Who Should Play Gonzo's Quest
Choose Gonzo's Quest if you:
- Want higher win potential than Starburst but less variance than Book of Dead
- Enjoy the satisfaction of chain reactions and building multipliers
- Like visually interesting games with quality animations
- Have a medium bankroll
- Want free spins but with more consistent results than Book of Dead
Avoid Gonzo's Quest if you:
- Want the absolute highest win potential (2,500x is good but not extreme)
- Prefer classic spinning reels over avalanche mechanics
- Find the cascading animations slow down your play
The Gonzo's Quest Experience
Gonzo's Quest sessions feel more dynamic than Starburst but more controlled than Book of Dead. The avalanche mechanic creates natural excitement as consecutive wins build multipliers. You'll experience dry spells, but they're rarely as brutal as Book of Dead's.
The free falls bonus is more consistent than Book of Dead's free spins - you're less likely to get a spectacular 1,000x+ win, but you're also less likely to get a disappointing 15x.
RTP Comparison: Does It Matter?
All three slots have similar RTPs hovering around 96%. The differences are essentially negligible:
- Book of Dead: 96.21%
- Starburst: 96.09%
- Gonzo's Quest: 95.97%
Over any realistic playing period, these differences won't matter. Your experience will be determined far more by volatility and luck than by these fractional RTP variations.
For more on what RTP actually means for your sessions, see our guide to understanding slot RTP.
Bonus Suitability
If you're using a welcome bonus with wagering requirements, your choice matters:
Starburst - Best for bonus clearing. Low volatility means your balance is more predictable, reducing the risk of busting before completing wagering requirements.
Gonzo's Quest - Acceptable for bonus clearing. Medium volatility means some risk but manageable with adequate bankroll.
Book of Dead - Risky for bonus clearing. High volatility means you could easily lose your entire bonus balance before meeting requirements, or you could smash through them in one lucky session.
Most experienced bonus hunters recommend Starburst or similarly low-volatility slots for working through wagering requirements.
Where to Play These Classics
All three games are available at virtually every UK slot site. They're so popular that any reputable casino carries them.
However, check the RTP at your chosen casino - some operators offer reduced RTP versions of popular slots. Stick with trusted casinos that offer the standard RTP versions.
For new players, check our best welcome bonuses to maximise your starting bankroll.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
There's no objectively "best" slot among these three - they serve different purposes.
Choose Starburst if you value entertainment time over win potential. It's the slot equivalent of a long, pleasant walk - enjoyable, low-stress, and you'll rarely get lost.
Choose Book of Dead if you understand variance, have the bankroll to handle it, and live for those explosive winning moments that make the dry spells worthwhile. It's the slot equivalent of mountain climbing - mostly gruelling, occasionally transcendent.
Choose Gonzo's Quest if you want a balance of excitement and sustainability. It's the slot equivalent of a challenging but achievable hike - rewarding without being punishing.
Or better yet, try all three. They're classics for a reason, and understanding how each plays will make you a more informed slot player overall.
Whatever you choose, practice responsible bankroll management and know when to stop. These games have entertained millions precisely because they're designed to keep you playing - respect that, set limits, and enjoy them as entertainment rather than income.
