Sonic Pinball Party

"The most fun I've had since Pokemon Pinball!"

I'm not a huge pinball fan, but I am a huge Sonic fan, so I decided to pick this game up, not only because it stars Sonic, but because reviewers didn't bash it. SPP is a pick-up-and-play type of game, so you don't have to have a lot of time to play. You can just turn it on, play one game of pinball, and turn it off. The game is just so FUN!

Graphics 8/10
Better than average graphics, but not something to brag about. Each table is uniquely designed, from the basic layout to how Sonic's table changes its lighting between stages. The three tables, Sonic, Nights, and Samba de Amigo, are as different as they can be. Sonic's table takes you through all the Sonic Advance levels as you try to destroy Dr. Eggman. Nights has a more mystical feel to it, and Samba de Amigo is just dance crazy. I've heard about slowdown during multiball, but I experienced none whatsoever.

Sound 9/10
All the sound is taken from past Sonic Team video games. You will recognize tunes from Sonic 1, Sonic R, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Advance, Nights into Dreams, and Samba de Amigo. It feels nice for those classic tunes to pop up while playing pinball. When you enter Ring mode, the tune from Star Light zone plays. During multiball, ''Open your Heart'' from Sonic Adventure plays. During the bonus round after beating Eggman, Super Sonic Racing (the main tune of Sonic R) plays. While all these tunes fit nicely into the pinball, they aren't very original, so sound got a 9 instead of a 10.

Gameplay 8/10
What can I say, IT'S PINBALL! In real pinball, you hit the flippers trying to get the ball into where you want it to go. In SPP, you hit the flippers trying to get the ball into where you want it to go. Although actually it's a lot different than real pinball. In Sonic's level, you have to constantly shoot Eggman's hole in order to get him to appear. After you have beaten him, you go to the next level. It's the same with Nights w/ Nightmaren. However, in Samba de Amigo, there are no bosses. You just have to trigger a musical event where you press the buttons on key. Very fun, actually. The difficulty ranges from easy (Nights) to very hard (Samba de Amigo). It's hard not to like this game.

SPP is a fun game that anyone can enjoy, but it is not a game everyone would want. Some would beat the game (the main story is short), then never take it out again. Others, though, will keep on playing this game until the top scores list is filled up with their name. If you don't want to buy it, rent it if you can.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/25/03, Updated 06/25/03