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Sonic Jerky: Spicy, fun and can be chewed on for hours

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: April 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Sonic Spinball for Sega Genesis was one of the greatest pinball video games ever made, however
it didn't get a whole lot of attention. Namely because of all the other great games that came
out for Genesis like Sonic, NBA jam, Mortal Kombat, Royal Rumble and many other classic titles
that we have wasted endless time on.

Sonic spinball was great because it incorporated elements and characters from Sonic the
Hedgehog, the original series and featured Sonic as the actual pinball which was not only
clever but made sense for certain interactivity within the game such as Sonic grabbing onto
ledges, sonic using his "spin" move to shoot himself up to otherwise unobtainable
areas of the game and others. Furthermore, the game featured those same posessed evil robots
that
release innocent animals when destroyed as found in the original. The game also incorporated
the idea of collecting rings during gameplay, when all rings were collected -- more areas of
the board (zone) were activated, allowing Sonic to progress further in the level. With this and
quests to obtain Gem stones by progressing through the board by setting off triggers and
hitting targets was not only downright original but also fun.
At the end of each level, after collecting all of the gem stones, Sonic would have to defeat
the boss. After each level complete and boss defeated, Sonic was taken to an entirely
different
board (zone) with all new quests for the next level. The idea was more about progressing
through the
story
and levels than it was about getting a high score. Unheard of for this genre. To incorporate
both pinball and level progression as seen in scrollers into one wholesome title.
All the way up until Sonic defeated Dr. Eggman.

Now when I saw Sonic Pinball Party and Sonic Advance in one package, it seemed like a title
that would be too hard
to pass up. I knew that Sonic Advance would have to be very similiar to the side-scrolling
Sonic classics that we have all come to love. And I was right, plus elements that weren't
touched on the Sega Genesis. It is truly more "Advanced" in gameplay than its retro
counterparts while the graphics are basically the same (built of the Advance's 32 bit engine
to emulate the like of the Sega Genesis). The graphics are nothing revolutionary but
the gameplay soars above. I have played this on the new GBA Micro and it's quite amazing
to see a 32-bit engine run on such a small device. Nintendo was never known for its advances
in graphics technology but its makes up for it with universal titles and timeless gameplay.
Take this to the GBA micro, Nintendo still has the formula that make for great games on
limited engines. With Advance, there are loads of titles of this caliber to choose from.


I was hoping the Sonic Pinball Party would be somewhat similiar to Sonic Spinball but the Sonic
Team had other ideas.
As for Sonic Pinball Party emulating the greatness of Sonic Spinball,
it's really not at all like Sonic Spinball but it isn't at all a bad title because it does
carry over some of the same ideas. In fact, it's a good game that carries its own strokes of
simple genius.
Once again, the Sonic Team has pulled through.
For starters, it doesn't feature Sonic as the pinball. However it does have similiar level
progression
and a story mode, in which Sonic enters a tournament in order to defeat Dr. Eggman's evil
schemes. It also features most of the characters and enemies found in all the classic Sonic
titles such as Tails, Kuckles and Amy. The game also has all the elements that you come
to expect if you ever played Sonic
Spinball such as collecting rings, triggers and ramp quests, fighting bosses and clearing
stages (zones). You face all of Sonic's friends such as tails, amy and knuckles through a tournament
tree. But why would Sonic face off against his friends in a tournament to get take down
Dr. Eggman? Well, because all of Sonic's friend have been robotized and are now under
mind control by Dr. Eggman. For some reason, when Sonic defeats his robotized friends in a
pinball match, they transform back to normal. Why? I do not know but the story mode certainly
adds to the gameplay and replay value. It may not be the greatest story ever told but its enough
to give the gamer reason to want to progress through each level. Beat the objective set
by your opponent and you will progress up the tournament tree until you face off with Dr. Eggman
himself. Objectives vary with each level and become progressively hard as you move up the tree.
Objectives like beating your opponenents high score, clearing a stage by defeating the boss or
accomplish some other goal set out by your opponent.

The levels are nothing shy of intruiging and fun, all fitting the "Sonic" theme quite well.
Each board acts a different zone (Neo Green Hill, Secret Base, Casino, Eggman rocket and
others). Each
board essentially adhering to the same setup just with different graphic ornations. Yet each
adding their own objectives and styles of play. As you progress through story-mode, you will
unlock mini games
for the "Casinopolis" mode in which you gamble rings that you earned in the "Arcade" mode.
There are
three modes of play to choose from -- Arcade, which your ultimate goal is to collect rings
and obtain a high score. "Story" mode -- Where you must move your way up the tournament ladder
to get
to Dr. Eggman by defeating your opponents in VS. competition by meeting the objective set
by your opponent (high score, level completion, boss beat, or multiple level progression).
Casinopolis -- gamble your rings on 3 or more mini games, Slots, Bingo and roulette. These
games do not have a lot to offer in the lines of replay value or initial entertainment. Each
mini-game, your object is to aim for the same target to trigger each function (slot, number
calling in bingo,
or to place bets on the random spots of the roulette wheel). Not at all intuitive or exciting.
Hitting the ball into the same spot becomes redundant and easily un-impressive, even if the
concept
sees some "originality" with using a pinball game to gamble rings on casino games. Good idea,
poor execution.

Pros: Fun, challenging pinball game with solid replay value. Graphics and themes are well-done
and fitting for the title.

A few gripes: Everytime you lose in "Story Mode", you get kicked back to the intro of the game --
having to go through all the menus to get back to story mode. Annoying for a game that
offers haughty challenges and good gameplay. Bottom line, where's the "Would you like to try again?"

The score calucations, bonus items and otherwise at the end of each loss of ball progress
through slowly,
forcing you to click through each bonus item to tally your score. It's attempt to emulate
an actuall pinball machine is annoying and slow. With a game like this, most of the time
you just want to skip through all of this and get back to the action.

Graphics: 4 out of 5
Sound and Music: 4 out of 5
Replay value: 4 out of 5
Gameplay: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5

Sonic Advance: offers it's own unique and new style of play that truly make it an "Advanced" title
from it's retro classic counterparts.

Sonic Pinball Party: Progress through its story-mode, play the arcade version, have some mindless fun
with its side games, or link up with buddies in party mode -- either way you look at, this game
has a lot to offer and is tireless fun.

Combine both games into one: I would have to say, you have one of the best titles that GBA has to offer.
For the price, two great games in one, it is certainly a bargain!

A Sonic double pack on the GBA? Sign me up

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

There's been a lot of "Double Packs" and "Combo Packs" released on the GBA as of late, which so far hasn't been a bad thing, and this Sonic Combo Pack is definitely worth picking up for Sonic fans and GBA owners. This Combo Pack features both the first Sonic Advance game and Sonic Pinball Party; the first of which is the tried but true throwback to Sonic's 16-bit glory days, while Sonic Pinball Party is just as it's name implies, and it's so much better than Sonic Spinball ever was. Sonic Advance combines elements from classic Sonic games and the more recent Sonic Adventure games; allowing you to play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy as you trek through multiple stages and take on the evil Dr. Robotnik. Sonic Pinball Party allows you to play some pinball on some Sonic themed tables, as well as some NiGHTS themed tables too (for those of you that don't know, NiGHTS was a cult classic SEGA game for the Saturn that has been deserving of a follow up for years, but alas, there's never been another NiGHTS game). The difference between the two tables isn't much, but it provides some quick and fun pinball action. Both games also feature the ability to raise Chao; the virtual pet animals introduced in the first Sonic Adventure console game. Both games look and control great, and there's little to complain about here with the overall package. For GBA and DS owners, this Combo Pack is worth picking up, and for those of you who own a DS, do yourself a favor and pick up Sonic Rush, which just may be the best 2-D Sonic game in nearly a decade.

Love It

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I love it. The Pinball is great. However, The Slot machine is a rip-off. It gambles your rings!!!!!!! Choose bingo or roulette (Casinopolis). Advance is awesume although SA 2 you can get wayyyyyyy more rings. Overall, it's
really great!

sonic piball combo party pack

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

the game is a lot of fun. i am real pleased with the purchase. its a game for all ages to enjoy.this game isnt too difficult or too easy. its just pure game enjoyment. i would highly recommend buying this game.

Sonic Party Pack

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: March 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

My daughter loves this game. She plays it all the time. Sonic is her favorite character.

BGM is annoying

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

For those of you who hate background music, this game is not for
you. There is no option to tun it off, and it is peppy and fast mostly.
It is cool though, just have to play with sound off. I have to stay
away from these games cause if I cant hear sound effects without music,
I hate it. This is the case here.

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