NetEnt (the Swedish developer now operating as part of Evolution Group) has confirmed its April 2026 release slate, and it is headlined by a title that franchise fans have been anticipating since the arrival of Starburst XXXtreme in 2021. Starburst XXXtreme Wild Flames introduces fire-themed mechanics to the established XXXtreme format while maintaining the core expanding wild respin structure that made the original a fixture in UK casino lobbies. Alongside it come a new Gonzo's Quest variant and two additional titles rounding out a four-release month.
Starburst XXXtreme Wild Flames: What Is New
Starburst XXXtreme Wild Flames retains the 5x3 grid, both-ways payline structure, and expanding wild respin mechanics of the original XXXtreme while adding a Fire Multiplier system that assigns a random multiplier between 2x and 150x to wild symbols that land during the base game. The multiplier is applied to all wins that involve the affected wild on the respin that follows, significantly increasing the ceiling for individual respin payouts compared to the non-multiplier XXXtreme. The confirmed RTP is 96.26% (fractionally above the standard Starburst XXXtreme configuration) and the volatility classification is very high, consistent with the multiplier-wild mechanic's potential for large singular wins.
The maximum win ceiling is confirmed at 20,000x stake, placing it among the highest-ceiling titles in NetEnt's current portfolio. For context, landing a 150x multiplier wild that covers an entire reel and contributes to the maximum win combination would require a highly specific alignment, but the theoretical ceiling is now comparable to the highest-volatility Pragmatic Play titles. Players familiar with the original Starburst XXXtreme will find the base game experience immediately recognisable, the primary difference is the Fire Multiplier indicator that appears above the grid during the base game, signalling whether the current spin has a multiplier active before the wild lands.
Gonzo's Quest Megaways Live and Other April Releases
Gonzo's Quest Megaways Live combines NetEnt's classic Gonzo's Quest avalanche mechanic with the variable reel structure made famous by Big Time Gaming's Megaways engine, now available to NetEnt through a licensing agreement. The result is a Megaways title carrying an RTP of 96.00% with the cascading win multiplier system (1x, 2x, 3x, 5x across the first four consecutive avalanche wins) applied to a game that can display between 324 and 117,649 ways to win on each spin. The free fall free spins or pick-and-win, triggered by scatter symbols.">bonus round maintains the Gonzo's Quest Free Falls branding and applies boosted multipliers of 3x, 6x, 9x and 15x across four consecutive wins, substantially above the base game progression.
Completing the April slate are Wolf Pack Pays (95.8% RTP, medium-high volatility) (a six-reel cluster pays title with wolf pack gathering mechanics that trigger free spins when a full wolf pack assembles on the grid) and Jade Valley Megaways (96.12% RTP, high volatility), a bamboo forest theme using the Megaways engine with an expanding multiplier during free spins. Both titles are available at LeoVegas, Casumo, Mr Green, and 888 Casino from their respective release dates in the first two weeks of April.
Where to Play NetEnt's April Releases
NetEnt's new titles are distributed through their Evolution Group partnership to all major UK-licensed operators that hold a NetEnt content agreement. LeoVegas, as an Evolution Group-owned operator, consistently receives new NetEnt content on the global launch date. Casumo and Mr Green typically follow within 24 to 48 hours. PlayOJO, Betway, and 888 Casino usually have new NetEnt titles available within three to five days of global launch. Bet365, which carries a comprehensive NetEnt library, can sometimes take slightly longer to complete game certification for new titles.
For players specifically interested in Starburst XXXtreme Wild Flames, the very high volatility classification means that a session bankroll of at least 100x your intended stake is advisable to navigate the dry spells between significant wins. Full hands-on reviews of all four April titles (including session data from our volatility testing process, feature frequency observations, and recommended bankroll guidance) will be published on our /slots/ page within two weeks of each game's confirmed UK launch date.
