-- Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball --
Formats: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Tiger Hand-held
Genre: Pinball
Developer: Sega Technical Institute
Rating: GA
Debut: November 23, 1993 (US)
Cast: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Ivo Robotnik/Dr. Eggman
Robotnik's latest scheme is to turn all the innocent citizens of the planet into evil robots...at lightning speed. Using a high-tech, super-efficient robot factory hidden in a volcano; utilizing the energy produced by the magma that flows through the volcano's tunnels. The Veg-O Fortress, as it's known, is guarded by a dangerous pinball defense system. Only one too-cool hedgehog has the wits and the moves to break the defense and get at the heart of this metallic prison...Sonic the Hedgehog, of course!

-- International Info --
Area
Title
Debut
USA Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball November, 1993
Europe Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball November, 1993
Japan Sonic Spinball December 10, 1993
   Another big switch from Sonic standards was Spinball, the first American-made Sonic game without Yuji Naka's guidance. The result is none too shabby, especially taken as a pinball game rather than a true Sonic game.

   Most of the game was played as Sonic, taking the place of the pinball in his classic Sonic Spin pose. A certain degree of control was allowed over Sonic in pinball form, but he could also be moved left & right the standard Sonic way. However, basic control was loose and clunky, so it's probably a good thing all-around that 98% of the game was played boucing around in pinball form.

   Each level consisted of several mini-pinball screens connected in various ways. The object was to collect all the Chaos Emeralds in each level, then defeat the boss. Sonic's Spin Dash was intact (for all it was worth), and Ring-collecting was still a big part of the gameplay. Collecting all the Rings in a level opened up a Star Circle...the gateway to one of four Special Stages. Each Special Stage had a different task, but all were played on a mini pinball machine with Sonic at the controls. These Special Stages were for points only.

   The 8-bit Special Stages were totally different. You'd play one at the end of each level, in a race for points, extra lives, continues, and other such goodes. Called the "Bonus Cages", these rounds had Sonic spinning madly through several giant, connected bird cages (complete with Badnik bird in the middle). Running under a strict time limit, you'd lose everything if you didn't make it out in time.

   The game was lightly based off of the Sonic comic book from Archie Comics and the two animated cartoon series from DiC, with cameos by characters from those series, as well as Dr. Robotnik's visual appearance.

Grade: B

Toxic Pools
Toxic Pools: Toxic sludge oozes into puddles on the ground in this hopelessly polluted cavern at the Veg-O Fortress' base. A giant, dragon-like Badnik called "Rexxon" dwells in the radioactive pool at the lowest level.
Lava Powerhouse
Lava Powerhouse: Steam vents blast wind in all directions around the Veg-O Fortress' sweltering power generator. The flowing magma produces the energy for the mountain's defense system.
The Machine
The Machine: This is where all the action happens. Innocent animals are being thrown into the robot machine every second, but first our hedgehog hero must navigate the booby traps and unlock gates in this mechanical nightmare.
The Showdown
The Showdown: The Veg-O Fortress is crumbling, and it ain't a pretty sight. Rumbling throws flippers off-balance, and a dangerous mixture of heavy mechanical parts and burning rocks rain from the sky.

-- MIDI Collection --
Toxic Pools Zone -- Jeff Read
Lava Powerhouse Zone -- John Weeks
Boss Theme -- Edan Koch
Options Screen -- Edan Koch
-- Related Media --
· US Cover
· Japanese cover art


Level-Select: (Genesis version) Go to the Options screen and press: A, Down, B, Down, C, Down, A, B, Up, A, C, Up, B, C, Up. Return to the title screen. To skip to Lava Powerhouse, hold down A and press START. To skip to The Machine, hold down B and press START. To skip to The Showdown, hold down C and press START.

Secret Effects: (Game Gear version) Play the following tracks in the presented order at the Sound Test screen for the indicated results. The screen should shake if you've input a code correctly.

  • Secret Codes: 0, 8, 3, 1, 7, 1
  • Sonic-Zilla: 0, 2, 1, 1, 6, 6
  • Anti-Gravity Sonic: 0, 9, 0, 1, 6, 8
  • Skip to the Boss: 0, 2, 1, 5, 6, 6
  • Radio on Rocket Fuel: 0, 4, 2, 5, 5, 7

Screenshots thanks to Jonathan "WB" Gray. Genesis version shown. Box cover from Sega Online. Information compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte.