Sonic Spinball

Between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 3, Sonic Spinball was released – a pretty wild spin-off: half pinball, half platformer, total chaos. Sonic turns into a ball inside one of Dr. Robotnik’s mechanical fortresses, which resembles a giant pinball machine.

The story behind Sonic’s most dangerous mission on the Mega Drive

Dr. Robotnik has built a floating high-security fortress atop the active volcano Mt. Mobius, where he transforms animals into mechanical slaves and controls the volcanic activity using the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic must infiltrate the fortress, collect the Chaos Emeralds, and blow the whole place up from the inside. A short intro shows Sonic attempting to enter the fortress in a biplane, only to be shot down by Dr. Robotnik’s laser defense system, crashing into the sea. Sonic manages to make his way to the fortress’s sewage system and begins his infiltration. It’s not much, but it fits a Sonic game—and in the context of a pinball-platformer hybrid, the dark atmosphere is surprisingly consistent and well-executed.

Pinball meets platformer: The unusual gameplay of Sonic Spinball

Sonic Spinball isn’t your typical Sonic game, it’s a hybrid of pinball, platforming, and puzzle mechanics. You control Sonic mostly using flipper buttons as he’s launched around complex levels like a human pinball. Your tasks: collect Chaos Emeralds, activate switches, uncover pipes, and defeat boss enemies. Each level is a mechanical labyrinth functioning on multiple layers. The twist: you have limited mid-air control over Sonic’s direction, but the timing is tricky, and precise maneuvers often feel like a matter of luck. In tight spaces or on moving platforms, the controls can quickly become a test of patience.

There’s an option to adjust the game speed, an easily overlooked feature that has a significant impact on the overall feel. At the default speed, the game feels sluggish, floaty, and rubbery. Sonic responds with a delay, and his movements seem muffled. Personally, I strongly prefer the faster speed it adds momentum, tightens up the controls, and makes the whole experience feel much snappier. It does get a bit more hectic, but it also feels closer to real pinball and more in line with Sonic’s fast-paced identity.

After each level, you enter a bonus stage: a classic pinball table focused on scoring points, grabbing Chaos Emeralds, and testing your reflexes. These segments feel smoother and more precise than the main game. Visually, the bonus stages are brighter, more structured, and their layouts are reminiscent of real pinball machines.

Gameplay Video: A First Look at Sonic Spinball

This short video showcases the first level of Sonic Spinball on the Mega Drive. I intentionally focus on just the first level in my videos — no spoilers — to give you a feel for the gameplay, graphics, and sound without ruining the fun of discovering the rest yourself.

Dark, loud, chaotic: The audiovisual rollercoaster ride of Sonic Spinball

Sonic Spinball dives deep into a dark, mechanically infested world. The levels are crammed with detail: gears, tubes, green goo, and steaming machinery dominate the scenery. It all feels a bit overloaded—sometimes even confusing—and during chaotic moments, it’s easy to lose track of what’s going on. Still, the level design is creative, the animations are snappy, and even as a pinball, Sonic looks dynamic and well-animated.

Musically, the game is a real mixed bag. The level soundtracks are edgy, loud, and electronic—fitting for the techno-hell Sonic rolls through. But the loops are short, and after a few minutes, they can start to feel repetitive or grating. The sound effects themselves are crisp but piercing, bombarding you with pings, alarms, and metallic clanks. Atmospheric in short bursts, but during longer sessions, they tend to wear on the ears.

How Difficult Is Sonic Spinball?

The difficulty is high right from the start—not because of clever enemies, but due to the hard-to-control physics. Sonic rolls, bounces, and jumps… but rarely the way you want him to. Instead, you’ll find yourself flying wildly into slime or missing critical targets by mere millimeters. The levels are maze-like, filled with switches, tubes, and Chaos Emeralds hidden along convoluted paths. With no save function, every mistake sends you back to the beginning. Later levels like The Machine are especially brutal and leave no room for error.

Multiplayer or Solo Only?

In the options menu, you can enable a multiplayer mode where players take turns competing for the high score. It’s essentially a classic hot-seat setup, reminiscent of early arcade or pinball games. There’s no interaction or special features—just a direct comparison: who scores higher, who gets further?

Conclusion & Rating: Is Sonic Spinball Still Worth Playing Today?