Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Action / Pinball

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball

Certified classic

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1993
GenreAction, Pinball
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1–4 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesSonic
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 21

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball is an action game released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by SEGA. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Sonic Spinball. It blends action and pinball elements.

It landed about 4 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1993 include Mortal Kombat, Flashback and Disney's Aladdin. Among the 111 Genesis action games in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.

It is part of the Sonic series; on the Genesis you can also try Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The series also appears on other systems with Sonic Advance (GBA) and Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System). SEGA also made Tetris, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage for the Genesis.

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball supports up to 4 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball cheats & codes

50 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite LivesFF579E:0003
Start At Level 3FF575B:0003
Enable Level SelectFFF8F8:01
Music ModifierFF0360:0?
Infinite Balls In Bonus LevelsFFF20D:03

See all Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball cheats

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball.

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Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball FAQ

When did Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball come out on the Genesis?

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1993.

Who made Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball?

It was developed by SEGA.

Is Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball multiplayer?

Yes. Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball supports up to 4 players.

How long does Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball take to play?

As an action game, Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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