[TAS] Genesis Sonic Spinball "100%" by Flip in

This is a tool-assisted speedrun. For more information, see tasvideos.org/2261M
TAS originally published on 2013-01-09
The evil doctor Robotnik has a new plan to take over the world. He has built a new weapon, the Veg-O-Fortress on Mount Mobius and with it, he is transforming all creatures into robots. Sonic sneaks into the fortress and tries to stop Robotnik.
This run aims to complete all levels in the game, which includes the optional intermediate levels, and the now featured Multiball levels. These only appear after collecting all rings on the map, thus those need to be gotten too.

[@kjdmosley1855]

As a kid I never knew there was more then one level of this game

[@edonslow1456]

It's pretty tough. I only ever made it to level 2. You never saw pictures of the other levels in the magazines either, I guess cos the reviewers never made it past there. Didn't see the rest of the game for years until I got an emulator and quick save.

[@seronymus]

I only made it to level 2 like twice and it was like a fever dream

[@newstarcadefan]

Yeah it was pretty tough. I made it to the Machine twice...but on the Game Gear version I did beat it a couple of times.

[@powerONdelta]

why the fuck is toxic caves so goddamn hard lmao

[@MrV902]

I could make it to level 3 pretty regularly but there was no way I was ever going to beat this game.

[@qbertguy]

I had no idea there was a bonus stage for collecting all the rings

[@GamerGee]

Most of us wouldn’t even dare to try to find out. LOL

[@nate567987]

join the club

[@treehann]

WTF, I've played this game for like over 20 years and I just learned this for the first time today

[@justinchastant9246]

I found out the other day collecting them all in the first level, which isn't too difficult. The other levels are a beast to collect all the rings, and I haven't bothered with them since there is only one bonus stage.

[@yousefslimani99]

Same!

[@v_tha_sapien5742]

Gotta love that blast processing when the boss explodes 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@JohnCampbell-cd3ez]

It really is “blast processing”

[@TheChaosDragoness]

Almost 24 years later I never knew about those multiball levels, glad I learned something new about this game!

[@SeppelSquirrel]

I love all the different branching paths that made coming up with the optimal route to collect all the rings such an incredibly tricky pathfinding challenge!

[@CookieficationJ]

the 0.2 seconds of the options screen music at the beginning STILL managed to trigger my fight or flight response

[@Skipatronic]

I liked that the game used characters from both Sonic cartoons

[@Edlandish]

I love this game! The tunes are all absolute bangers as well. Could never beat the machine though.

[@rocko7x]

agreed. I only beat the machine after watching a Flip tas many years ago

[@seronymus]

There's only one track in this entire game.

[@gd3air2]

@@seronymus wtf no

[@mr.business2922]

@@gd3air2 ong tone deaf

[@yousefslimani99]

😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠

[@DougSalad]

Finishing Toxic Caves with a score of 6,942,000? Nice.

[@glitchboyadvance2168]

Nice

[@sush4nz1...74]

Nice

[@MyNameIsBucket]

nice

[@DarkPanda558]

Nice

[@theangrycolossal]

you can tell this is being recorded on an older emulator because of the errors in the BGM of The Machine

[@QuadFactor21]

The same error is in the Sonic Mega Collection version. Personally, I like it, probably cause I've heard it so many times.

[@squirtle0528]

@@QuadFactor21 mega collection is the only one I've known. Is there a comparison somewhere?

[@QuadFactor21]

@@squirtle0528 old emulator: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3ybo2Ocp7Wsock accurate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYvCnHqErdSXpK8

[@Varce]

TAS: The only way one can beat this freaking game

[@GamerGee]

I made it to robotnik and could never hit him more than once. I kept getting strike three you’re outta here LOL

[@Serious5GamingS5G]

I've beaten it but I had to use a glitch that gave me basically infinite lives

[@slickestrick4117]

Hell yea, I love this game! Last level is unfairly hard compared to the first 3 tho

[@pinguin4898]

sonic spinball has just such an aesthetic to it

[@TheJ.M.C]

14:00 I can just hear Robotnik saying “I HATE THAT HEDGEHOG!”

[@romalapin8648]

That's screeching sound.

[@Draconis345]

I said it on the last one. It was straight up cathartic to watch the Showdown get bodied. I don't care if it's TAS

[@LunaiMusicBox]

I love how the third level supposedly re-uses assets from Sonic 2's scrapped level Genocide City, it's so interesting to see how it could've looked

[@kainedakillerv2704]

I played the crap out of this game as a kid. I had no idea about collecting all the rings and the multiball levels! I just got schooled!

[@DarkFrozenDepths]

I didn't even beat this game until over 15 years after it came out... This game was brutal. 3rd and especially the 4th stages were just unfair.

[@maxdragonsoul5553]

the machine isn't super unfair since you can only die to the two death pits in the main area, and all the emeralds are outside of that area so if you're in control you can avoid those in comparison showdown is death everywhere, i was bored at college one day and made it to showdown deathless only to lose everything in the span of 15 minutes

[@keystrix3704]

I forgot how some of the designs in this game are really freaky and nightmarish. Can easily squeeze them into some Sonic.exe thing.

[@mariolover1926]

Man the nostalgia of this game

[@user-uv8sw8fm6n]

素晴らしきアクション😊

[@madisonhasson8981]

As a child I was the best person I knew at this game. I could beat it without dying. My friends and siblings stopped playing multiplayer with me because I was so much better than them. But this was on another level. A flawless execution. It was nice to watch a true master at play. Thank you for letting us watch.

[@tf1090c]

You do know this is TAS, right?

[@ObiwanNekody]

This is a TAS. It's optimized inputs executed by a computer. It is likely not possible to play as well as this.

[@5thearth]

I'd love to see a remake/sequel to this. The concept was really cool, but the Genesis really wasn't up for the execution, hardware-wise.

[@flabort]

A fan may have to do it.

[@seronymus]

@@flabort Someone contact Christian Whitehead!

[@steved8193]

The Genesis was easily up to a good pinball game (see Psycho Pinball), this game was rushed out in two months so there was a Sonic game for Christmas 1993 as Sonic 3 was taking longer than expected, so its quality isn't as good as it could have been.

[@ecernosoft3096]

Just look at game gear version...

[@furrycheetah]

No need remake

[@ct0760]

I forgot how creepy the bosses looked

[@stardustmotion]

the flying insect which entered your fridge before you close the door : 13:04

[@solknuckles2408]

WAKE UP BABE NEW SPINBALL TAS

[@Sieg_W]

This game was torture that Sega never mentioned it again

[@harryc657]

I beated this game multiple times as a kid and as an adult...I never knew there was a special stage for collecting all of the rings. I'm speechless.

[@FKCENSORSHIP]

Awesome! I don't think I ever made it past level 3 as a kid.

[@soundspark]

Guessing that was the only good thing in your childhood?

[@memejohn86]

ok this would take me HOURS if not DAYS and tas does it in 15 minutes

[@MelancoliaI]

Gotta love the totally rad '90s tude of the scoreboard

[@williamzeo2493]

Thanks, I feel avenged.

[@matthewcasiglio2539]

Not that it affects the speed run but in the machine if you bust open every cage in the animal prison as the game calls it including the 1 with the emerald shown at 7:30 you get an extra 500,000 points!

[@jesselowe9374]

The explosion and metal knocking sounds are also in Comix Zone.

[@JunipersQuest]

I never knew what the purpose of the rings were not knowing there was a hidden bonus stage on every level.

[@m1stq933]

Bro I had no idea other levels were even a thing. Plus I had no Idea the sound for the Studiopolis Cars and TV came form here... And I thought I known everything about sonic..

[@paulfisher9695]

this game was so mudda fuckin hard

[@daniel-xt3tp]

DAMN! THIS PLAYER IS REALLY GOOD!

[@Iggybop]

I never knew there's bonus rounds for getting all therings...

[@BROXBasher]

This made me realize that Sega Genesis music and DOS music are one in the same.

[@solarflare9078]

Nope. This game just used the awful GEMS sound driver that make games sound bad like that due to the lack of utilization of the soundchip. The Mega Drive's YM2612 is WAY more advanced than the Soundblaster's YM3812

[@soggytoast111]

Cool concept and very interesting level design. But this game was brutally hard. It was too much of a heavy lift to ask the player to explore areas and puzzle solve WHILE dealing with the pinball mechanics.

[@pinguin4898]

had it been zoomed out, it would have been remarkably easier

[@justinchastant9246]

As a child, yes. Now, I'm better at it overall, but it's still very difficult and I haven't beaten the final level yet.

[@user-pj6ul6cn8h]

I used to play this with my dad as a kid, and we made it to the finsl level only once. I finished this game on an emulator I downloaded for my tablet about 21 years later! That in and of itself took place a couple of years ago, when it was easier to get emulated games on a tablet. Game took me hours to beat! It's definitely not an easy game.

[@cowgaming7186]

I wish I could play sonic spin ball for more then 10 seconds

[@cowgaming7186]

it’s mostly because I don’t really like pinball games, but that’s a good tip

[@williamzeo2493]

@@cowgaming7186 I used to like pinball before of this game =(

[@cowgaming7186]

@@williamzeo2493 it’s understandable, this game is just unfair and not really fun, pinball is still pretty cool tho!

[@destroyermcw626]

I beaten this on my Sonic Mega Collection Plus(Xbox 360 backwards compatibility)

[@kiwibro6454]

Never thought this game would be speedrun-able

[@zelos1826]

Showdown's music STILL goes hard ♪

[@skakirask]

I never knew there were additional bonus stages you can unlock for collecting all the rings.

[@justinchastant9246]

There is only one bonus stage, though, so I only attain it in the first level where it is by far the easiest to collect all the rings.

[@justinchastant9246]

I don't know if you can revisit the one bonus level multiple times, though.

[@aplasticaenima4293]

9:27 poor chicken. Came in too hot

[@Strister_Real]

Bro is going crazy on this TAS #Spinballsweep

[@MaverickChristian]

I'm surprised all these years later to find how many found the game too difficult. It took a while but I eventually beat the game. Was I better at video games than I thought?

[@Mikewee777]

This game looks like it relies too muxh on luck

[@deletedTestimony]

@@Mikewee777 it really is very skill based, but gives very little feedback on how to improve, so it takes a lot of dealing with frustration to get good at

[@user-pj6ul6cn8h]

It's the kind of game that takes a while to really learn.

[@Mr.Miniguy]

I didn't know there was a multi ball stage, and I already knew there was more than one level

[@one7decimal2eight]

Never played this but it has sort of a weird kid chameleon sound effects and music thing going on. Any chance this was made by the same people?

[@legionbeast]

A classic.

[@fabioriato]

I only managed to collect all rings in a stage once. I was just playing Toxic Caves casually, suddenly got the message that I had collected all the rings, then entered the special bonus. Beating the game was already hard, but collecting every ring in a stage is a huuuuuuge task.

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

GREAT [TAS] SEGA GENESIS SONIC SPINBALL 1993 GAME !!!

[@bacaliz6229]

Why did they have to use THAT song for the credits?

[@DougSalad]

Cuz it slaps

[@yousefslimani99]

@@DougSalad And it kinda hurts in our ears too

[@cfnovak1]

This game is so hard. 13 min 100% is insanely assanine imo

[@michaelhaverbusch9142]

I call this game sonic's downward spiral to insanity when I see the bosses

[@allohtoffbaqphat4547]

Why does Sonics in-game sprite have 5 quills while his reflection in the multi ball game has his Mohawk quills?

[@baloonfart8082]

LIKE BUTTER!

[@hzDelta]

wait theres more?

[@martinauld670]

2:18 had no idea this was a feature… wtf

[@furrycheetah]

That scream though from Scorpio 1st level

[@AllLongplaysHD]

I like this game but I think just remember when I was the kid from Sonic the Hedgehog Spin-ball game for Mega Drive If I got rom on my open-emu.

[@robertwhite3181]

1 day I just decided to get all the rings in toxic caves & discovered multiball by accident, I eventually managed to get them in all the levels, but I never managed to do the stages that fast or that well, on a side note I usually can't help to do the prison through in stage 3, makes me feel better freeing all the animals there

[@miles4961]

I like this game😬😬 its in my top 10

[@yousefslimani99]

OK I didn't know there was a secret bonus stage if you collect every rings in the stage!

[@DaveJNZ45]

How do the shake it on special stage?

[@SonicMegaManiac]

On the bonus stages hold A B and C at the same time to shake the stage

[@romalapin8648]

And what's the matter about 100%? I don't see the difference.

[@zacharymabb4873]

To this day, toxic caves is the only stage I can beat without cheating.

[@daniel-xt3tp]

11:41 how he get emerald like this?

[@SweetlandFamily]

0:50 how did you do that

[@ShadowPlushGaming]

I remember getting to Toxic Caves Boss but i died and game overed.

[@StickyGamer3678]

Normally in this game, it’s mostly relied on luck if you get to the boss and win or not, however with TAS, you basically just make it the easiest hardest game I’ve ever seen.

[@rober4]

What??? There were more levels??

[@RDRFOODREVIEWS]

I'm shock how fast u beat the Machine level so fast 😂😂😂

[@denzelgeorge4339]

Way to go sonic the hedgehog

[@m.k.a.n.w.]

10:34 It all comes down to this.

[@Mikewee777]

What ? The last chaos emerald before the final level ?

[@JJLYKES]

Got this game when it first came out and I never made it past the first level even though I played it all the time lol

[@goosifyed9717]

Hi I have some questions about the gas 1: could you please explain these midair dashes 2: what are these hit boxes 3: you know you can just use the rewind function of the sega genesis collection rather than have an ai play it perfectly, right?

[@khaosklub]

1) bouncing 2) sonic spinball 3) TAS isn't AI, it's frame by frame, with rewind to create an optimal playthrough.

[@bloodybladenum1920]

Some people I know don't belive this game exists or that I played it

[@bloodybladenum1920]

THERE'S MORE THA N JUST THE SEWER?

[@A_chocolate_bar_review_channel]

The first boss was always just creepy to me and stressed me out lol.

[@classified07]

3:04 6,942,000

[@raymondreddington2278]

Lets go

[@michaelgentry4908]

8:07 - Is that even possible??

[@ziggysax0607]

There are some things that make me question this run. An easy one is the bonus at the end of each boss. You beat it and did nothing. Not sure how you did that.

[@daniel-xt3tp]

8:05 ?????

[@DarkShamilKhan]

Speenboll

[@user-uv8sw8fm6n]

実はゲームキューブで ヤッテマシタ😊

[@deletedTestimony]

yeeeeeeeeeeee

[@pinguin4898]

185 mil. woa

[@lusr2923]

11:55

[@ericokeefe284]

Nice computer run dude

[@cumcockproductions6433]

Why do people dislike this game ? I mean the screen crunch is annoying sometimes but otherwise this game is hella fun.

[@williamzeo2493]

I think it's because of the difficulty and janky controls.

[@QuadFactor21]

Screen crunch? Never heard that complaint before. For me, it's a brutally unfair game at times. I know that's how pinball is in real life, or I assume that's how it is, I never actually played actual pinball, but still. While I did have some fun with this game, I have more painful memories than fun ones.

[@SeppelSquirrel]

Say what you want but Toxic Caves is a banger and it more than makes up for all the bad parts of the game.

[@kainedakillerv2704]

Love this game. Underated

[@senatorarmstrong7071]

@@SeppelSquirrelCan one save a pie when only 1/4 of it is edible and the rest was dumped in nuclear waste?

[@zombiecat264]

Seeing a person do something in minutes that i could not do within years makes me feel awful.

[@justinchastant9246]

Don't feel bad about this one. This is done by TAS (tool-assisted speedrunning). They go into the software of the game and input precise directions to be performed frame by frame. A computer is "playing" a video game movie written by a human, essentially.

[@mariannamennuni8988]

I always got level 2 bruh

[@IUsedToFermentThings]

Left all the animals in prison on 3rd level. Not 100%. Not mad... just disappointed.

[@galaxygamer5694]

This makes me angree

[@kylediaz9993]

this game is hard and assss

[@yvetteitonyo2064]

😊,kn

[@dantedeloden]

can anyone read at 13:24? notice his name is robotnik? lesson learned. How to ruin your video game company: Step 1- Make amazing mascot and game Step 2- Make 30 consoles instead of games Step 3- Change villains name to EGGMAN AND GF

[@Mmouse_]

I think I speak for everyone... No one played this game for more than say... An hour, it just wasn't enjoyable.