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Where to get it

Nintendo eShop

1995 · Adventure · Arcade

Sonic Labyrinth

Timed Sega exclusive

Dr. Robotnik has created a world of 3D mazes, into which he has thrown Sonic and added a whole new dimension to his life! Now the Dude with Attitude can spin dash in every direction - collecting keys to access hidden levels and bonus rooms as he never could before. Can you help guide Sonic through the maze and past the all-new clan of evil Bosses to defeat the damnable Doctor?

Released: 17 October 1995
Platforms: Game Gear Nintendo 3DS
Genres: Adventure Arcade Isometric platformer Platformer Puzzle Puzzle-platformer
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Series: Sonic the Hedgehog
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Third person Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action
Country: Japan
Age ratings: ESRB E PEGI 3 CERO A
Languages: English

About

Sonic Labyrinth is a 1995 action-puzzle video game developed by Minato Giken and published by Sega for the Game Gear. The game features Sonic the Hedgehog exploring maze-like stages from an isometric perspective. Dr. Robotnik has robbed Sonic of his trademark speed, making him walk abnormally slow but still able to utilize the spin dash.

Upon release, critical reception to the game was mixed: many critics found the game a unique addition to the Sonic library but flawed by convoluted controls and repetitive gameplay. In retrospect, however, it has received generally negative reviews and is considered among the worst Sonic games ever released. Despite this, the game has been re-released multiple times in the following years.

Keywords

virtual console
nintendo 3ds virtual console

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Sonic Labyrinth is an action and puzzle game with pinball elements. It is presented in an isometric perspective, and has been compared to Marble Madness (1984). Series villain Dr. Robotnik has tricked Sonic the Hedgehog into wearing special shoes designed to rob him of his speed, so Sonic must collect the Chaos Emeralds to release the shoes from his feet.

The player controls Sonic, navigating him through maze-like stages filled with enemies and obstacles that hinder his path. Sonic walks uncharacteristically slowly, but can roll into a ball and dash across the levels to take out enemies and avoid danger. This spin dash move can be charged for extra speed and damage. Sonic must collect three keys in each stage and bring them to the goal to advance to the next level.

Development

Sonic Labyrinth was developed by Minato Giken, and published by Sega. It was released in Europe on November 3, 1995, Japan on November 17, 1995, and North America the same month. The game was included in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (2003) as an unlockable bonus, and in the compilation Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004). It was rereleased for the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in Europe on May 10, 2012, followed by Japan a week later on May 16, 2012, and then in North America on June 17, 2013. It was also released along with the other 11 Game Gear Sonic games on Sonic Origins Plus in 2023.

Reception

Critical reception to Sonic Labyrinth was mixed. Multiple reviewers wrote about difficulties controlling Sonic as he bounced wildly around the levels. Mean Machines Sega wrote that "you can get through each level with a bit of practise but you're left wondering how you did it." Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) did not like the game's isometric perspective, thinking it contributed to problems directing Sonic around.

GamePro wrote that small screen made it occasionally difficult to see what was occurring. They did like the graphics however, as did EGM and Mean Machines Sega, the latter which thought they echoed the graphics of SegaSonic the Hedgehog (1993).

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

Platform	Released	Regions
Game Gear	17 November 1995	Japan · Europe 31 December 1995 · North America 31 December 1995
Nintendo 3DS	10 May 2012	Europe · Japan 16 May 2012 · North America 27 June 2013