A Week Full of Sonic Spin-Offs


Sonic the Hedgehog has starred in some of the most popular video games of all time, but this week we're giving him a break. Instead of focusing on his main adventures, this week we'll be spending our time looking over his spin-offs. What did critics think of games like Knuckles' Chaotix, Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine? Find out when you spend the week with Defunct Games.
Knuckles' Chaotix: Did Critics Love this Sonic Spin-Off in 1995?
[ System: Sega 32X | Pub: Sega | Release: 1995 | Show: Review Crew ]
After seeing the overwhelming success of Sonic the Hedgehog, you can't blame Sega for attempting a spin-off on their fledgling 32X. Instead of making yet another Sonic and Tails adventure, Sega brought Knuckles' Chaotix to the questionable add-on. Did critics fall in love with Knuckles' unique gameplay, or did they hate being tethered to another awful character? We dig through old issues of Die Hard Game Fan, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Mean Machines Sega, Game Players and GamePro for the answers.

MAGAZINES: Die Hard Game Fan, Mean Machines Sega, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Players, Next Generation and GamePro. [SEE THE REVIEWS]

Sonic Spinball: Did Critics Love this Spin-Off in 1994?
[ System: Genesis | Pub: Sega | Release: 1994 | Show: Review Crew ]
Based on one of Sonic the Hedgehog's most memorable stages, Sonic Spinball mixes Sega's blue mascot with pinball. This Sega Genesis game looks like a traditional pinball game, but features platforming elements and end bosses. Did critics love this genre mash-up, or were they put off by the sluggish controls and lack of polish? We dig through old issues of GamePro, Mega, Mean Machines Sega, Game Informer and Die Hard Game Fan for the answers.

MAGAZINES: GamePro, Mega, Mean Machines Sega, Video Games, Die Hard Game Fan and Game Informer. [SEE THE REVIEWS]

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine: What Critics Said in 1994!
[ System: Genesis | Pub: Sega | Release: 1994 | Show: Review Crew ]
Move over Russia, because Sega had the ultimate Tetris killer ... or so they thought. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine was a more accessible version of Puyo Puyo, one of Sega's most popular puzzlers in Japan. But did critics fall in love with these falling beans, or did they prefer the simplicity of Tetris? We dig through old issues of GamePro, Die Hard Game Fan, Sega Magazine and Mega for the answers.

MAGAZINES: GamePro, Die Hard Game Fan and Sega Magazine. [SEE THE REVIEWS]