Sonic Spinball appreciation thread

I'm sure there are many of us who have at one point (or still do) dislike Sonic Spinball and of course know someone who does. Lately I've been getting really into the game and although I thought it made a bad Sonic game when I was younger, let's just face the fact that it's a pinball game with a Sonic theme and not the other way around. It's no different than taking a Sonic decal and sticking it on your car for style. It's fairly easy once you get a hang on how everything works and kind of short, but it's fun nonetheless and as far as action-pinball games go, this one might be up there with the Crash series in terms of quality. Obviously much more aimed at beginners but not a bad game. Who else is a fan?

I hated it for a long time because I approached it as a Sonic game, which it really isn't. When I changed my mindset and looked at it as more of a pinball/random chance game with a Sonic theme I really grew to appreciate it. It's the music that kept me coming back to it. IMO some of the best Genesis music out there, and definitely Howard Drossin's best compositions.

I just wish the game had saving or some sort of password system. Completing it just takes too long for a single sitting unless you get super lucky.

I really liked the music too! To think I was alone ;)
I really didn't (still don't) like the way Sonic looks and moves, but other than that, I've always enjoyed the game.

I was a Sonic Spinball early adopter. I always thought it was the PERFECT game to take on the road with a Nomad. I still love it and play it regularly.

Am I the only one that finds it incredibly challenging to go through the game using A and B instead of just pressing C to trigger both flippers?

I've always enjoyed it. I don't think I'll ever understand the hate. Though, I'm pretty sure I knew to expect a pinball game beforehand...

I find it very frustrating but it can be enjoyable.

I wish it had a password option because it's a short doses kind of game.

I liked it enough to play through it a few times when I was a kid. It was doable if I gave it a few hours.

Sonic's ugly sprite and broken controls on the ground, really bothered me. He controlled OK when spinning around, but he couldn't run and jump like normal. (He can only jump straight up IIRC, which is bizarre.)

If they had just used Sonic's sprite and controls from any main series game, Spinball would have played much better IMO.

Also I still think the pinball stages in the main series are preferable to Spinball, especially Casino Night Zone. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ecco

Sonic's ugly sprite and broken controls on the ground, really bothered me. He controlled OK when spinning around, but he couldn't run and jump like normal. (He can only jump straight up IIRC, which is bizarre.)

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I was gonna say the same thing, Spinball has fucked up physics. they should have asked for some of the Sonic 2 control source code.
Playing it you could tell it was made by another team, I didn't mind the slightly different Sonic art, or the music, and I liked the idea
of it being a pinball game, but Sonic just controlled.. in a not so fun way.

I swear I wrote a very thorough post reply, but it appears the sega-16-bot-police got it insta-blocked.

Anyways, I, too, love Sonic Spinball. It is one of the few games in my collection that brings the most nostalgia out in me; and it is one of my favorite Genesis games. Excellent music, excellent gameplay, excellent graphics. What's not to like?

I love Sonic Spinball. Back when it first came out, I received it as a birthday or Christmas gift and while I was disappointed initially because I wasn't a fan of the Sonic games at all, once I played it and found out it was actually pinball and not another plat former, I couldn't get enough of it. I remember talking about it to kids at school and they all hated it because it wasn't like the platformers. I still pop it in for a playthrough once or twice a year.

And to the guy who posted about the A & B or C button setup, I actually prefer using A and B to C. Sometimes I'll corral Sonic with one paddle and then roll him to the other to hit a certain target. I prefer the control of both paddles individually. BTW, if you play it on the Sega compilation for PS3 and 360, you can assign buttons, so you can use the triggers which is perfect.

I really haven't a problem with the vaguely use of the franchise. I friend of mine have it back in the day, so i played a lot. Surprisingly, they were only a few occasions that i make it to the second level. Levels, or at least the first, is too long. Only that. I like this game.

It didn't ring with me long ago, no, not until I played it again many years later. I had it on two Playstation Genesis collections, but felt I needed the cart of it as well, so I sprung for one from someone online (it never appeared in my game hunts in the wild). I like the music, and find the game enjoyable even though I suck at it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by profholt82

And to the guy who posted about the A & B or C button setup, I actually prefer using A and B to C. Sometimes I'll corral Sonic with one paddle and then roll him to the other to hit a certain target. I prefer the control of both paddles individually. BTW, if you play it on the Sega compilation for PS3 and 360, you can assign buttons, so you can use the triggers which is perfect.

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I play it currently on the Sonic Mega Collection for Gamecube and that's exactly what I do. I have one of these rare Pelican Retro Pad's to boot:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31i7CTjQzpL.jpg
I configure A and B to the L and R triggers and C to the A button for jumping when on foot.

Need that controller for Viewtiful Joe.

Spinball was one of the earliest games I bought with my own pocket money. Took a good few months but I really enjoyed it!