Finally, they took the ideas from the bonus stages and made a game! Granted, not a great game...
Almost. Quite frankly, the game's short. Only four levels/tables to explore, all of which can be beaten quickly once you figure out how to get the emeralds. The first time through, though, will probably take upwards of a few hours on each board.
But let's put that behind us. The game looks great. Colorful and crisp, sometimes to the point of confusion on screen, it looks like a Sonic game. But it doesn't quite feel like one. The control is loose and slippery, like Sonic's on ice the entire game. That's excusable considering he's being launched around as a ball for 95% of the time.
And it doesn't sound like a Sonic game. The music is possibly the weakest link. And that would be fine for any other game, but Sonic, especially during his Genesis days, had a reputation for catchy music. Here you get four generic, techno-ish tunes, one for each level.
But there is a Robotnik boss on every level, ranging in quality, but all generally entertaining. Also, the bonus stage is possibly the most fun part of the game, involving Sonic playing a smaller pinball machine to save animals by repeatedly hitting their cells with the ball, avoiding Robotnik.
It's a game that's over too soon, but you'll enjoy the time you spent with it. Okay as a pinball game, okay as a Sonic game, but those two ratings don't combine.
Last Words: If you're a hardcore pinball or Sonic fan, pick it up. Otherwise, go play actual pinball.