Our review of Candy Stars cuts through the marketing and looks at what matters: how it plays and how it pays. Built by Pragmatic Play, it lands as a game with a very high volatility profile and a return-to-player rate of 96.24%. Top wins are capped at 500,000x your stake, a genuinely massive ceiling for the patient. It's themed around candy and sweets and plays out on 10 paylines across 5 reels. Originally released in 2022, it has aged well. Let's break down what works and what doesn't.
Written by Sarah Mitchell · Last updated: February 2026
Candy Stars comes to us from Pragmatic Play. Presentation-wise it's wrapped in a candy and sweets theme, and it leans toward very high variance at a return-to-player rate of 96.24%. Under the hood you'll find a 5-reel grid running 10 paylines.
Where Candy Stars earns its keep is the feature set. Look out for scatter symbols that unlock free spins and extra bonus rounds. With very high variance, this one is aimed at players who can ride out the swings for the top wins. All told, it's a solid entry in the Pragmatic Play catalogue.
The RTP of 96.24% is right around the industry average of ~96%. This represents a fair return that's in line with what most modern slots offer.
Very high volatility delivers the most extreme payout profile — long dry spells punctuated by potentially massive wins. Only recommended for experienced players with substantial bankrolls and high risk tolerance.
About 1 in 3 spins results in a win. This is a moderate hit frequency that balances win frequency with payout size.
Candy Stars features scatter symbols that can trigger free spins rounds. Landing the required number of scatter symbols anywhere on the reels activates the free spins feature, giving you extra chances to win without additional bets. During free spins, special modifiers may apply to boost your winning potential.
3.0 / 5 — Good
Candy Stars by Pragmatic Play is a solid offering that delivers good entertainment value. The 96.24% RTP combined with very high volatility creates a well-balanced gaming experience.