The Machine

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball

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The Machine

Third level, Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
Location: Mt. Mobius
Level theme: industrial
Boss: Veg-O-Machine
Maximum rings: 83
Non-English names: DE: Die MaschineMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[1] FR: La Machine InfernaleMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[1] ES: La MáquinaMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[1] IT: La MacchinaMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[2] SE: MaskinenMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[2] NL: De MachineMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[2] FI: KoneistoMedia:SonicSpinball MD EU manual.pdf^[2]
← Lava Powerhouse \| Showdown →

For the 8-bit version, see The Machine (8-bit).

The Machine is the third level of Sonic Spinball for the Sega Mega Drive, coming after Lava Powerhouse and before Showdown. As with other stages in this game, Sonic must bounce through the pinball-like level, acquiring Chaos Emeralds which are in turn used to access the boss, the Veg-O-Machine. In this stage, there are five of the Emeralds to find, unlike the three required by the previous two stages.

Overview

The Machine is the rumbling, robotic core of the Veg-O-Fortress. It is here that Lava Powerhouse's electricity flows, and where Toxic Caves' pollution flows from, for the entire level is one giant Badnik production facility. Glassy industrial pipes riddle a stage of churning pistons, electrical arc furnaces, and massive electronics systems. In the bottom-most tables that the player starts out in, jumping into the power chambers three times will stop the wheels, allowing the player to collect the Chaos Emeralds inside and access the shafts on the sides of the level. Entering the power chambers again too many times may make the wheels spin again. Gears at the bottom of the tables will grind Sonic into mincemeat and take away a life.

In the shafts at the left and right sides of the level, the player has to enter the pistons to launch upwards, then catch Sonic in-between the flipper to make it rise upwards, Doing so will make it easier to shoot Sonic into the lanes on the sides or to reach the top of the level.

The stage also comes complete with a giant prison for animals awaiting roboticization in the Veg-O-Machine. One of the Chaos Emeralds is hidden away in a cell, so the player should ensure they break them all open. Breaking every cell will award the player a 500,000-point bonus.

This level supposedly featured some recycled art taken from an unreleased Mega Drive game called B-Bomb. The level also featured unused art from Sonic the Hedgehog 2's lost level, Cyber City Zone, according to level designer Tom Payne.

Quotes

“	This is where the helpless Mobius inhabitants are imprisons and robotized. Short out the wires with massive explosions! Risk being shredded in the grinding gears as you ascend to the main processing room. Figure out the Veg-O-Machine's secret to free the hostages! The destruction of the Fortress begins!	„
— Sonic Spinball US manualMedia:SonicSpinball MD US manual.pdf^[3]

Enemies

	Buster — Flying Badnik that gets in the way in the flipper catch shafts.
	Krondor — Bird Badnik that holds the platforms blocking the pistons leading to the boss room.