Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball

"Interesting Idea, A Very Fun Game"

I first got this game around the time it was released, around 1993. And back then, every game seemed amazing. I had a lot of friends that liked Sonic games so every game about Sonic that I played, I enjoyed (I was about 6 then). But now looking back on this game I notice other things.

Story (2/10)-I'm sorry the story on this game really sucks. Like most games on any platform, the story is the most annoying thing in the world. Sonic is flying an airplane. He crashes during the incoming thunderstorm and lands in a Robotnik's (the main villian of ALL 60 or so Sonic games!!!). He must now be used as a pinball to get to Robotnik and destroy him. Wow. That's pretty pathetic. The only thing I can commemorate this game for is the interesting pinball idea.

Gameplay (9/10)-Strange idea, yes, but fun nonetheless. Sonic becomes a small blue pinball and has too make his way through giant pinball levels. They levels are complex and huge. For once the bosses of all level (except the last of course) do not have Robotnik but some other mini-boss. Which brings me to another point. Levels...there are 4. That is a very weak amount. I mean considering that every other game had up to 30 zones, this is quite a small number. I guess they did this because of the amount of time it takes to complete each level. They basic game concept is simple. Three buttons; one moves the left flipper on the pinball arena, the other the right, the last moves both at the same times. Basically you travel to higher and higher stories of stacked pinball areas (you may switch back down if necessary). Your goal is to shoot Sonic into switches and things to let him gather the chaos emeralds in that level. It get's extremely hard toward the ending unfortunetly. You'll have quite a bit of trouble from keeping yourself from dying in the final level which though very clever and amazing in design, is much too hard, there is lava everywhere and when you finally get all the emeralds and enter the spaceship that Robotnik is in its so easy to fall out and have to climb all the way back up. But overall the gameplay is very well-designed and fun to play.

Music and Sound FX (8/10)-Ok...The sound FX are still the same as the previous two games (you know, the ''bwing'' noise when you pick up rings etc.). They noises are fairly simple and do not really vary that much. The music on the other hand is very well conducted. It is probably the only game that captures the atmosphere of the level. Although the third level's music could use some variation, its just some deranged bass soundtrack.

Fun Factor (9/10)-Could have been easier, its a fairly challenging game, but still fun anyway.

Replay (7/10)-I guess you could play this game about 6 times max. Back when I played, I beat this game at least 25 times...like I said, I just loved any Sonic game. But I guess now I would never play it that much.

Difficulty Level: HARD-This game isn't easy. Even when I played it, it took me about 3 years to actually completly finish it. GOOD LUCK!!

Overall (9/10)-I sure named a lot of downsides...but still I still enjoy this game thoroughly. All those downsides don't really bother me, I just thought of all things other picky people might complain about (sorry if I just described you!!).

Verdict: If you have money and time, because time is money, then buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/16/02, Updated 12/03/02