The Grand Star Series is a lineup of pokie machines produced by Aristocrat Gaming, a global gaming technology company.
Aristocrat has been developing, manufacturing, and distributing gaming machines to land-based casinos and select online gaming markets since 1953.
The Grand Star Series is a staple on many casino floors, offering a familiar yet engaging experience to players.
While the theme of this series isn’t groundbreaking, it is similar to the standard pokie machines found in casinos.
The four games in the series share similar features, themes, bonuses, and potential winnings, with only the names and bonus symbols distinguishing them.
However, thanks to its manufacturer, Aristocrat, the games provide a trusted and random gaming understanding.
What We Cover?
Overview
The Grand Star Series has four games linked together:
- Grand Star Wealth
- Grand Star Sapphire
- Grand Star Platinum
- Grand Star Emerald
From all four, Grand Star Wealth is played the most in casinos. However, the others are also attracting some players.
This series has two features that trigger good winnings:
- Cash-on-Reels
- Bonus Feature
Both features are unique from each other but are connected in a way that you’ll learn about in detail below.
The games come with 5 reels and 3 rows, and the number of paylines depends on the denominations you choose:
- 1¢ and 2¢ denominations: 50 paylines
- 5¢ and 10¢ denominations: 25 paylines
- $1 denomination: 5 paylines
However, the winnings aren’t huge. The Major, Minor, and Mini bonuses highlighted on the machines are often very low, like $50, $500, or even $10.
As a result, winnings are quite small. Even hitting a Major Bonus won’t bring much excitement.
The only thing that can genuinely excite players is the Grand Jackpot or Progressive.
Games under the Grand Star Series
1. Grand Star Wealth
This is the most-played game in the series. Players often transfer from other machines to this one, trusting it to deliver some winnings.
- Bonus Symbol: A treasure door
- Bonus Trigger: Landing 3 or more treasure doors activates the Bonus Feature.
- Cash-on-Reel Activation: Triggered by stars.
2. Grand Star Sapphire
Another game in the series, Grand Star Sapphire, features Sapphire as the bonus symbol.
- Bonus Symbol: Sapphire
- Bonus Trigger: When the bonus is activated, you’ll be asked to choose between two options:
- Twin Spin
- Star Feature
This differentiates it from Grand Star Wealth.
3. Grand Star Emerald
Emerald, part of the Grand Star family, brings an Irish theme with symbols like four-leaf clovers and pots of gold.
- Bonus Symbol: Irish cap
- Bonus Trigger: Landing 3 bonus symbols activates the feature, where you can choose between:
- Moon Free Games
- Star Free Games
4. Grand Star Platinum
This game offers a wild ride through the Egyptian desert, with Pharaohs and pyramids as key elements.
- Bonus Symbol: Pyramid
- Bonus Trigger: Landing 3 pyramids activates the feature. Players can choose between:
- Moon Free Games
- Star Free Games
It also includes Mystery Reveals, which can lead to random prizes.
How do you play the games of the Grand Star Series?
If you’re ready to try your luck with the Grand Star Series by Aristocrat in New Zealand’s land-based casinos, here’s a brief guide to get you started:
Step 1: Locate the Grand Star Machines
- Upon entering the casino, head to the gaming floor and look for the Grand Star Series machines.
- These machines are usually grouped together since they share the same progressive jackpot system. Look for games such as Wealth, Sapphire, Platinum, or Emerald.
Step 2: Choose Your Game
- Pick one of the four games based on your preference. Each game has its own theme and symbols:
- Grand Star Wealth: Treasure theme.
- Grand Star Sapphire: Jewel-themed with the Twin Spin bonus.
- Grand Star Emerald: Irish luck with clovers and pots of gold.
- Grand Star Platinum: Egyptian adventure with pyramids.
Step 3: Select Your Bet Denomination
- Decide on the denomination you want to play with:
- 1¢ or 2¢: 50 paylines.
- 5¢ or 10¢: 25 paylines.
- $1: 5 paylines.
- Adjust the number of lines and bet per line using the machine’s controls to set your total bet.
Step 4: Spin the Reels
- Press the Spin button to start the game. Watch the reels spin and look for winning combinations or bonus symbols.
Step 5: Collect Your Winnings
- If you win credits, they will automatically add to your total balance.
- For larger jackpots, notify a casino staff member to assist with your payout.
Bonus Features
The bonus features across all the machines in the Grand Star Series are quite similar.
Each machine includes Cash-on-Reels symbols and Pick’Em Free Games. The winnings and bonuses largely align across the games.
Cash-on-Reel Feature
This feature activates when money or stars land on each reel, awarding a bonus.
- In the bonus game, every highlighted star hides a credit behind it, which you reveal one by one.
- In the end, all the credits are totalled to determine your winnings from the bonus game.
- A nice touch is that jackpots or other bonuses can also appear behind these stars. For example:
- Some stars might hide the Grand Jackpot, Mini, or Major bonuses.
- There’s even a chance to win double or triple Majors in this feature.
- A differently coloured star guarantees something from the Major, Minor, Mini, or Grand Jackpot.
Bonus Feature
Triggered by landing 3 bonus symbols (specific to the game you’re playing). Once triggered, you’re presented with a choice:
- Moon Feature: Awards 8 free games.
- Star Feature: Awards 5 free games.
If you choose the Star Feature, you’ll need to wait for the Cash-on-Reel Feature, where the winnings hidden behind the stars can be quite rewarding.
Grand Star Sapphire – Twin Spin Feature
The Grand Star Sapphire introduces a unique Twin Spin Feature in its bonus game.
- In Twin Spins Free Games, the reels “pair up,” displaying the same symbols on each row.
- The reels are divided as follows:
- The leftmost and rightmost two reels act as Twin Reels (displaying identical symbols).
- The middle reel remains single.
- For example, if a Q lands on the first reel, the same Q will appear on the second reel.
This synchronized setup makes it easier to line up winning combinations, adding a distinct twist to the Sapphire game.
Our View
In our opinion, the Grand Star Series by Aristocrat is a decent offering and actively promotes responsible gambling in all the casinos where it’s available.
The series consists of four linked games, with Grand Star Wealth being the most played.
The theme and graphics are good but not strikingly unique or attractive enough to stand out on a casino floor.
While the bonus feature is similar across the games, the Symbol Reveal feature (Cash on Reel) gets triggered more frequently.
However, landing three bonus symbols together is quite challenging, as the chances are notably low, but the Cash on Reel feature appears often enough to keep the game engaging.
In the bonus feature, players can choose between the Star and Moon features or the Twin Spin feature (depending on the game).
Based on our experience, we recommend opting for the Star feature for more reliable winnings.
The overall features, appearance, and theme are decent. The machine doesn’t play music continuously, which can be a relief for some players.
Instead, music is triggered only when symbols land, bonuses are activated, or similar events occur.
Lastly, if you’re keen on playing with more paylines, make sure to select the appropriate denomination to suit your gameplay style.