Sonic Spinball

"If there was ever any doubt that a game's length screws with potential, this game ends it."

I don't think anyone was expecting this. Sonic in a pinball game? It makes sense when you think about it, though. Sonic brought speed to the platform genre, so why not do the same for pinball?

Storyline: 7/10
This is getting old. Dr. Robotnik is turning animals into robots *AGAIN*, so Sonic travels to Robotnik's base in Tails' plane. The plane gets shot down, and Sonic falls into the ocean. His animal friends rescue him, and Sonic begins traveling through Robotnik's pinball zones to track down the evil 'Doc.

Graphics: 8/10
Hmm...not as sharp as other Sonic games. Still, the game is very bright and realistic. For example, sewage drips from the Toxic Caves and you can see the individual screws on pieces of machinery. Sega certainly paid attention to detail.

No graphical glitches to speak of.

Sound FX: 7/10
The SFX are recycled from previous Sonic titles, so you'd have no trouble finding most of them in any normal action game. The shredding noise as Sonic charges a Spin Dash, the ''err-err!'' as he skids to a stop; it's all here. The only effects missing are the ''boing!'' as Sonic jumps and the trademark ''SEGA!'' at the start-up screen. Sadly, Sonic seems like he's missing something without them.

On a minor note, this effect that plays when you lose a life is very cool. I wish I could explain it, but it's almost as if the game is taunting you.

Music: 9/10
It's a Sonic the Hedgehog game, what did you expect?! The music has an ''action game'' feel to it that portrays the adventurous Sonic charm perfectly. Strangely, the music in the later stages is very dramatic. Also, the music overall isn't as catchy as the music in previous Sonic games. Still, it's great.

Game Play: 7.5/10
Ok, there's something I need to talk about right away. This game is SHORT. Very short. For crying out loud, there's only four levels! FOUR! It's even shorter than Sonic 3, which is pitiful and unforgivable.

FOUR! ONLY FOUR!

If it makes it any better, the four levels are VERY difficult. But it doesn't help the lack of levels.

ONLY FOUR!

The control of these Sonic games will never change. Sonic still only requires the D-Pad and one button, and using the flippers is simple. However, I noticed that Sonic has lost a very important ability. HE CAN NO LONGER JUMP IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS! Why is this? The directional jump was very useful! Sonic has also gained the ability to pull himself up ledges. Whoop-de-doo.

Once you finish the game, there is nothing more to do; you have beaten the game 100%. Because of this, the replay value is ridiculously low. Why didn't Sega add regular Sonic bonuses, such as Super Sonic and a debug cheat?

Pros
Great graphics
Great audio
Innovative

Cons
ONLY FOUR LEVELS!
The levels are very hard. I'd much rather have easier levels in a larger quantity, thank you.
No directional jump
The main Sonic games had better graphics

Bottom Line
So much untapped potential...

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/18/01, Updated 10/06/02