Sonic Labyrinth
Encyclopedia
Sonic Labyrinth is a puzzle
-come-platform game
for the Sega Game Gear
, released 17 November 1995 in Japan and in 1995 in North America and Europe. It is also playable on Sonic Adventure DX and in the PC, PlayStation 2
and Xbox
editions of Sonic Mega Collection Plus. The game features isometric 3D gameplay similar to the SegaSonic the Hedgehog
arcade game and Sonic 3D. Sonic and Dr. Eggman are the only characters in this game.
Players control Sonic
by moving them around a pinball
-like arena, using their power to roll into a ball to defeat Badniks and pick up keys in order to exit through the GOAL door to clear the stage. The only move Sonic can use in the game is the Spin Dash, because Dr. Eggman secretly replaced his famous red shoes with another pair: the Slow-Down Boots that took away his ability to run fast or jump, and they cannot be removed at all without the use of Chaos Emerald energy. Sonic does retain his ability to walk and Spin Dash, however there is a time limit in each stage so it is best to move quickly.
Throughout the stages are many enemies just waiting to attack Sonic, so the player must remain aware of their surroundings. The only time Sonic is able to collect rings is during Boss fights (and before fights as Sonic is rolling down a steep incline toward the Boss) but Sonic will "die" in two hits no matter how many rings the player has unless the player ends up with zero rings, then Sonic will only take one hit. With the keys in hand, Sonic can withstand a few attacks by enemies.
gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5, saying it makes a great addition to Sonic's handheld collection. However, Electronic Gaming Monthly
rated it 4.8 out of 10 and asked "Why not just follow the same Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
routine instead of pretending he[Sonic] can actually move while on his feet?", then claimed that the repetitive gameplay creates boredom. Also, Screw Attack ranked the game at #2 in its list of Worst Sonic Games for a perceived lack of speed.
Computer puzzle game
Puzzle video games are a genre of video games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles to be solved can test many problem solving skills including logic, strategy, pattern recognition, sequence solving, and word completion....
-come-platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
for the Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
, released 17 November 1995 in Japan and in 1995 in North America and Europe. It is also playable on Sonic Adventure DX and in the PC, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
editions of Sonic Mega Collection Plus. The game features isometric 3D gameplay similar to the SegaSonic the Hedgehog
SegaSonic the Hedgehog
is an isometric platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, released by Sega for Japanese arcades in June 1993. The game supported three players playing simultaneously, and possessed a unique track ball set up for moving on-screen characters. The only other control input was a single button,...
arcade game and Sonic 3D. Sonic and Dr. Eggman are the only characters in this game.
Gameplay
Sonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
by moving them around a pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
-like arena, using their power to roll into a ball to defeat Badniks and pick up keys in order to exit through the GOAL door to clear the stage. The only move Sonic can use in the game is the Spin Dash, because Dr. Eggman secretly replaced his famous red shoes with another pair: the Slow-Down Boots that took away his ability to run fast or jump, and they cannot be removed at all without the use of Chaos Emerald energy. Sonic does retain his ability to walk and Spin Dash, however there is a time limit in each stage so it is best to move quickly.
Stages
In Sonic Labyrinth, there are a total of four Zones, each containing three acts and a boss battle. The goal is to help Sonic locate three keys hidden throughout the stages and then head to the "goal" door.Throughout the stages are many enemies just waiting to attack Sonic, so the player must remain aware of their surroundings. The only time Sonic is able to collect rings is during Boss fights (and before fights as Sonic is rolling down a steep incline toward the Boss) but Sonic will "die" in two hits no matter how many rings the player has unless the player ends up with zero rings, then Sonic will only take one hit. With the keys in hand, Sonic can withstand a few attacks by enemies.
Reception
GameProGamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5, saying it makes a great addition to Sonic's handheld collection. However, Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
rated it 4.8 out of 10 and asked "Why not just follow the same Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball is an adventure pinball game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It was originally released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993 and later ported to the Game Gear and Master System in 1995.The game title is a pun on pinball and Sonic's famous spin dash move...
routine instead of pretending he[Sonic] can actually move while on his feet?", then claimed that the repetitive gameplay creates boredom. Also, Screw Attack ranked the game at #2 in its list of Worst Sonic Games for a perceived lack of speed.
External links
- Sonic Labyrinth at MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- Screenshots (Sonic Scene Net)
- Sonic Labyrinth at Green Hill Zone