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Released: 16 Dec, 2010

Reviewer: Andrew Nesvadba

Version: 1.0.1 Size: 4.0 MB

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Sonic Spinball

$0.99

Save: 80% Was: $1.99Action Games1.0.1Sega America

PROS

Large complex level designs.
Unique blending of pinball and platforming elements.
Additional bonus levels for some replay challenge.

CONS

Quirky control system; not responsive in an intuitive manner.
All progress before collecting emeralds lost on death.

VERDICT

It's surprising to note that after over 15 years, few similar titles to Sonic Spinball have cropped up, making it a unique beast in many ways and still entertaining even today.

Video Review

Full Review

Sonic the Hedgehog had an odd period in his career where he was placed in all sorts of strange predicaments and situations that have (in retrospect) been considered fairly questionable. Though strangely enough, the idea of Sonic in a pinball game wasn't much of a stretch and in 1993 gamers were given Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (or Sonic Spinball as it's now known on the App Store) by SEGA.

While regular pinball titles were often content with simple physics engines and skill-shots to progress on the table, Sonic Spinball took things further by splitting each of its four levels in to complex sequences that needed to be completed in a specific order to proceed. This isn't an easy task as the physics are highly questionable, giving you little maneuverability over sonic and launching off the paddles was often an exercise in random chance. That said, the game is full of second-chance opportunities to keep you alive, however should you have one bad moment and you end up dying, you'll have to restart most of the level.

isually, Sonic Spinball keeps many of the themes from the traditional platformers, but without the need for constantly scrolling environments more detail was placed in to the sprites, making it hold up well even now. Unfortunately the rather low framerate has also made the transition to the emulated version, adding more difficulty on top of the lagging control issues.

Sonic Spinball is a great pick up for nostalgic Genesis fans, but it's a hard game to enjoy on iOS devices.

App Store Info

Shoot Sonic like a pinball through Dr. Eggman’s great Veg-O-Fortress to free the animals of Mobius______________________Dr. Eggman’s (AKA Dr. Robotnik) has turned all the animals on Mobius into robot slaves with his great Veg-O-Fortress, but it’s Sonic to the rescue! Rolled up like a pinball, Sonic rockets through the contraption scoring points, grabbing rings and carefully collecting Chaos Emeralds without disturbing Eggman’s Pinball Defense System. Dr. Eggman takes many different forms in the Boss modes – destroy them all! FEATURES- Classic, addictive pinball-style gameplay. - Collect all 16 Chaos Emeralds.- Four fun-filled levels and three bonus stages.- Keep your eye out for a hidden bonus round (hint: “cluck, cluck”).- Fun soundtrack with pinball sound effects. - Play either the US or Japanese versions of the game.