Sonic Spinball (Game Gear)

Sonic Spinball
Also known as: Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball Developer: Sega Interactive Publishers: Sega (original), Majesco (re-release) Platform: Game Gear Released in US: September 1994 This game has a hidden developer message. This game has hidden development-related text. This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden level select. This game has a prototype article

A demake of the Genesis game that was rushed out the door due to the international release of Sonic Drift getting cancelled. Yes, really. Also received a rather sloppy port to the Master System.

To do: Document the other codes in the Sound Test.

Sub-Pages

Prototype Info

Level Skip

Play sound effects 0, 2, 1, 5, 6, 6 in the Sound Test, then pause during gameplay and press Down.

Free-Movement Mode

In the Options menu, play sound effects 0, 9, 0, 1, 6, 8 in the Sound Test (the screen will shake to confirm), then pause during gameplay and press 2.

Build Date

Present at 0x4C61:

1994-05-30 P.M. FINAL REV. 20 (K)

It can be displayed in the Options menu by playing sound effects 0, 5, 0, 3, 6, 0 in the Sound Test.

Developer Messages

Each level in the game has a secret monitor with the text "見る" ("to see") on it. Breaking this monitor will display a message, depending on the level:

Toxic Pools: '08-XX-XX...'
Lava Powerhouse: 'XX-31-XX...'
The Machine: 'XX-XX-71...'
Final Showdown: 'XX-XX-XX, SFX GET THAT???'

Combining all four messages results in a hint to play sound effects 0, 8, 3, 1, 7, 1 in the options menu. Do so, then break any of the hidden monitors to display another message:

TRY THESE SFX! 02-11-66, 09-01-68, 02-15-66, 04-25-57, * * * FIND THE REST ON YOUR OWN ***

These are the codes for huge sprites, the free movement mode, the level skip, and fast music, respectively.

There is also an additional message, not connected to the others. Play sound effects 0, 3, 1, 8, 9, 2 in the options menu. Breaking any of the hidden monitors will now display this message:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLL, 03-18-92

"BLL" may refer to programmer Frank Lucero's daughter(?), Brianna, who is listed in the game's credits under Special Thanks.

(Source: Hillbert)