| Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball |
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| Developer(s) |
Sega |
| Publisher(s) |
Sega |
| Release date(s) |
1993 |
| Genre |
Action |
| Mode(s) |
Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) |
VRC General Audiences (GA) |
| Platform(s) |
Genesis, Game Gear, Master System |
| Media |
Cartridge |
| Input |
Control pad |
Sonic Spinball title screen
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (a.k.a. Sonic Spinball) is a pinball game and a spin-off title in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. It was originally released for the Sega Genesis in 1993 and later ported to the Game Gear system. It's considered to be the hardest Sonic game ever made.
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Contents
- 1 Storyline
- 2 Gameplay
- 3 Miscellaneous
|
Storyline
Dr. Robotnik has assumed control of Mt. Mobius and turned it into a mechanical base. Utilizing energy produced by the magma flowing under the volcano, this new monstrosity - the Veg-O-Fortress - has the power to transform helpless animals into robot slaves at an astounding rate. Sonic and Tails fly onto the scene, but Sonic is knocked off the wings of the airplane by a blast from the fortress. He falls into the water, but is rescued and taken to the subterranean levels of the Veg-O-Fortress. The fortress must be destroyed from the inside-out, and the only way to make that happen is to trigger an eruption in the volcano it's built on. Sonic knows this can be done by removing the Chaos Emeralds that keep the volcano stable. Robotnik, however, is also aware of the fragile relationship that exists between the Emeralds and the mountain, and he's set up an elaborate Pinball Defense System to make sure the precious jewels don't go anywhere.
Gameplay
Sonic Spinball is essentially the logical continuation of a tradition of pinball themed levels that started with Spring Yard Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog. The game features four large pinball 'tables' - a sewer level, a geothermal power station, a robot factory, and a launchpad system. The player must guide Sonic through each of the four levels and collect the Chaos Emeralds to fight Dr. Robotnik.
The main difference between this game and an actual pinball game is the ability to control the "ball" (Sonic) while in motion. The D-pad is used to control the flippers within each zone. The A button raises left flippers, the B button raises right flippers, and the C button raises both at once. Classic platforming gameplay as in Sonic the Hedgehog is kept to a minimum.
Miscellaneous
Sonic Spinball is noted for being the only Sonic game to include characters from both of the animated series at the time, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (AoStH) and Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM). Scratch from AoStH, and Princess Sally, Rotor, & Bunnie Rabbot from SatAM make cameo appearances in the bonus rounds.
The game was originally going to be released with a remix of the original Sonic the Hedgehog theme on the title screen. However, Sega of America were not aware that Dreams Come True had created the song, and were not permitted to re-use it. The music was eventually rewritten in the 11th hour of development.
Sonic Spinball was re-released along with Ecco the Dolphin and Golden Axe on the Game Boy Advance in 2000 in a compilation called Sega Smash Pack. The Genesis version is playable on the GameCube Sonic Mega Collection, and PlayStation 2 and Xbox editions of Sonic Mega Collection Plus. The Game Gear version is playable on the GameCube and PS2 versions of Sonic Gems Collection, and Sonic Adventure DX on the GameCube.
