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Sonic Labyrinth

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Sonic labyrinth title.png
Sonic Labyrinth
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
ROM size: 512 KB
Genre: Puzzle
Release Date RRP Code Rating
Sega Game Gear
EU
1995-10  ? 2584-50
Sega Game Gear
US
1995-11  ? 2584
Sega Game Gear
JP
1995-11-17 ¥3,800 G-3374
"Labyrinth" redirects here. For the Sonic 1 zone, see Labyrinth Zone.

Sonic Labyrinth (ソニックラビリンス) is an isometric puzzle/platformer for the Sega Game Gear. Sonic must move around a pinball-like arena, using his power to roll into a ball to defeat badniks and pick up keys in order to exit through the Goal door and clear the stage. The only move Sonic can use in the game is the Spin Dash, because Doctor Ivo Robotnik secretly replaced his famous red shoes with another pair that took away his ability to run fast or jump.

Gameplay

The game uses a 3D isometric overhead view similar to that of Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island. However, gameplay is restricted to a single button which is the Spin Dash (the arrows overhead determine the strength). There is no jump button whatsoever and the only way to make a character airborne is through the use of obstacles. The objective of each level is to collect 3 keys in order to be able to exit through the door which leads to the next level.

The power-ups are also not contained in monitors but are found inside colored triangles instead. Their formation, which constantly shifts to another formation, determines which power-up is given. These power-ups can increase time (yellow), destroy onscreen enemies (green), grant lives (pink), increase movement speed (blue), or grant invincibility (red). Interestingly, these triangles cannot be found in the third act of Labyrinth of the Sea, but there are oil slick-spitting octopus robots that have two colored diamonds that cycle through the colors of the triangles. Rings can only be found in the Scroll Zones which precede the boss encounters and these will increase lives, not health. Instead, health is determined by amount of time available and each hit will shave 10 seconds off the clock. When time runs out Sonic will lose a life. Fortunately, seconds can be added to the clock by collecting keys or by destroying enemies. Boss levels lack a timer so these can be tackled at the players leisure.

The boss levels are different as they lack a timer. Sonic can use the rings collected in the preceding Scroll Zone as protection from hits, as in most Sonic games, but rings lost cannot be collected again. After defeating the Boss a Chaos Emerald is awarded, meaning there are a total of 5 Emeralds which can be earned without any extra effort. The sixth Emerald is hidden in a Special Stage found in act 3 of the Labyrinth of the Sea. All Emeralds are needed to attain the good ending of the game.

The time attack mode allows players to race to achieve best times. When completed a best time and score are given. In addition to that there is a 5-digit password which has no actual use in the game. The password was for use in a contest held in Japan where one hundred players with the best times would be awarded prizes. The contest was only held from November 17-December 31st in 1995.

Production Credits

Director: N.Machida, H.Katagiri
Planner: K.Tanaka
Programer: K.Iwanaga, Y.Kataoka, A.Inoue, T.Ueshima
Designer: K.Kayajima, K.Tanaka, K.Tamura
Sound Programer: A.Iwanaga
Special Thanks: N.Matsushima, S.Yoshihara, K.Kumakura, N.Tabata, M.Araki, N.Gotoh, Y.Yanagisawa, A.Matsumoto, M.Morohoshi, N.Honda, K.Hijiya, M.Ohta, K.Mine, H.Ozaki, T.Takinoue

Manuals

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic Labyrinth manuals

Also Released On

Physical Scans




Sega Game Gear
71 Sonic Retro Average
Based on 2 reviews
Publication Score Source
Sega Power (UK) 82 №73, p57
Sega Pro (UK) 59 #51 Pg 68
Game Gear, US
Labyrinth-box-us.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, EU
Labyrinth-box-eu-back.jpgNospine.pngLabyrinth-box-eu.jpg
Cover
Laby gg eu cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
Laby jp back cover.jpgLabyrinth-box-jap.jpg
Cover

Artwork


Sonic Labyrinth
Sonic labyrinth title.png

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Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
 1991  Sonic the Hedgehog     1992  Sonic the Hedgehog 2     1993  Sonic Chaos | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     1994  Sonic Drift | Sonic Spinball | Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble     1995  Sonic Drift 2 | Tails' Skypatrol | Tails Adventures | Sonic Labyrinth | Sonic 2 in 1     1996  Sonic Blast    
 Unreleased  Sonic's Edusoft