Spinball Review for the Wii
Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball for the Nintendo Wii isn’t a new game, but rather a retro revival of the 1993 Sega Genesis cult classic, made available through the Wii’s Virtual Console. Originally developed by Sega Technical Institute, Spinball is one of the stranger entries in the Sonic franchise – a hybrid of pinball physics, platforming chaos, and chili-dog-fueled speed. It’s fast, it’s weird, and it’s got that unmistakably early ’90s Sega flavor.
The premise is as wonderfully ridiculous as you’d expect: Dr. Robotnik (back when he was still being called that) has built a new fortress powered by lava and pinball-like contraptions, and it’s up to Sonic – acting as both hero and sentient pinball – to blast through mechanical defenses, collect Chaos Emeralds, and shut the whole thing down. Each level is essentially a giant pinball table filled with flippers, bumpers, traps, and multiple tiers of exploration.
Gameplay is a chaotic blend of reflex-based pinball mechanics and Sonic’s signature platforming. You don’t control Sonic like in a traditional side-scroller. Instead, you launch him into action and then use limited directional control while bouncing through tight corridors and wild loop-de-loops. The goal in each stage is to collect a set number of Chaos Emeralds, unlock the boss chamber, and defeat a robotic monstrosity in a surprisingly tense showdown.
The level design is ambitious for the era. Maps are huge and multi-layered, with hidden paths, traps, and secrets tucked away behind precision flipper shots and clever timing. There’s a real sense of satisfaction in mastering the table-like layouts, especially when you manage to thread Sonic through a narrow passage after repeated attempts. It’s not pure pinball, and it’s not pure platforming; it’s somewhere in between. That middle ground is where Spinball either wins you over or drives you up the wall.
On the Wii Virtual Console, the game plays exactly like it did on the Genesis; warts and all. That means the visuals are faithfully preserved, with chunky sprites, mechanical backdrops, and an oddly gritty aesthetic compared to the candy-colored worlds of other Sonic games. The soundtrack is a standout, filled with catchy, almost industrial-sounding tunes that fit the factory vibe. The theme song from the first level, “Toxic Caves,” is still stuck in the heads of players who booted this up in the ’90s.
That said, Sonic Spinball is not without its frustrations. The controls can feel floaty and unpredictable, which is a big deal in a game that requires precision. Momentum is hard to manage, especially during platforming segments between pinball zones. The physics can be a little janky, and occasionally, you’ll lose a life in a way that feels more random than fair. And let’s be honest: this is not a smooth, fluid Sonic game. It’s clunky. Endearingly so, maybe, but clunky nonetheless.
Still, for fans of Sonic or anyone curious about the stranger corners of the franchise, Sonic Spinball is a fun and challenging detour from the usual loop-de-loops and speedruns. On the Wii Virtual Console, it serves as a convenient, nostalgic way to experience this oddball classic. Just be ready to yell at your screen a few times when Sonic ricochets into lava for the third time in a row.
In the end, Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball is more gimmick than greatness, but it’s a unique entry that deserves credit for trying something totally different. Love it or loathe it, there’s nothing else quite like it in Sonic’s sprawling resume.
Sonic Spinball Game Cheats and Tips
Sound Effect codes:
Select the Sound FX option and play the following sound sequences to activate the corresponding cheats:
SOUND SEQUENCE – CHEAT FUNCTION
00, 05, 01, 03, 07, 00 – 25% speed
00, 04, 02, 09, 06, 04 – 50% speed
00, 04, 02, 05, 05, 07 – Sped up Music
00, 09, 00, 01, 06, 08 – Free movement (Pause the game and press 1 2)
00, 02, 01, 01, 06, 06 – Huge Sprites
00, 01, 01, 07, 07, 03 – Reset Mode (Pause the game and press 1 2)
00, 05, 02, 08, 07, 00 – Reset to title screen
00, 02, 02, 00, 06, 09 – Invert colors
00, 09, 01, 02, 05, 04 – Invert colors, sped up music
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 09 – Scene: 1st Bonus Stage
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 03 – Scene: And there comes Sonic and Tails…
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 08 – Scene: Bonus Screen
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 04 – Scene: Sonic, go ahead!!
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 01 – Scene: Title Screen
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 07 – Scene: Toxic Tools Boss
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 05 – Scene: Toxic Tools Screen
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 06 – Scene: Toxic Tools Stage
01, 01, 01, 01, 04, 02 – Scene: Veg-O-Fortress rising
00, 05, 00, 03, 06, 00 – Show year and version
00, 02, 01, 05, 06, 06 – Stage Skip (Press DOWN to skip stages on pause screen)
00, 03, 01, 01, 05, 05 – Start with 9 lives
00, 03, 01, 09, 06, 08 – Strong gravity
00, 08, 00, 07, 07, 01 – Strong inverted gravity
01, 01, 01, 02, 05, 00 – Weak gravity
00, 08, 02, 07, 06, 06 – Weakest gravity
Multi-Ball Stage:
To unlock the Multi-Ball stage, get all the rings on a level. Then find the gate which looks like a large sparkling ring.
Hidden Emerald:
At the third level, go to the cells. Hit the middle cell. An emerald will drop. Go to the bottom to find a hidden emerald.