Sonic Labyrinth

Template:Main other{{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | child = | subbox = | bodyclass = ib-video-game hproduct {{#ifeq:|yes|collapsible {{#if:|{{{state}}}|autocollapse}}}} | templatestyles = Infobox video game/styles.css | aboveclass = fn | italic title =

| above = Sonic Labyrinth

| image = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image={{#invoke:WikidataIB |getValue|rank=best|P18 |name=image |qid= |suppressfields= |fetchwikidata=ALL |onlysourced=no |noicon=yes|Sonic Labyrinth Coverart.png}}|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|border=|suppressplaceholder=yes}}

| caption = {{#if:Sonic Labyrinth Coverart.png|European cover art|European cover art}}

| label2 = Developer(s) | data2 = Minato Giken

| label3 = Publisher(s) | data3 = Sega

| label4 = Director(s) | data4 = Noboru Machida
Hideaki Katagiri

| label5 = Producer(s) | data5 = Template:If first display both

| label6 = Designer(s) | data6 = Kazuhiro Tanaka

| label7 = Programmer(s) | data7 = Template:If first display both

| label8 = Artist(s) | data8 = Template:If first display both

| label9 = Writer(s) | data9 = Template:If first display both

| label10 = Composer(s) | data10 = Atsuko Iwanaga

| label11 = Series | data11 = Sonic the Hedgehog

| label12 = Engine | data12 = Template:If first display both

| label13 = Platform(s) | data13 = Game Gear

| label14 = Release | data14 = Template:Vgrelease

| label15 = Genre(s) | data15 = Action, puzzle

| label16 = Mode(s) | data16 = Single-player

| label17 = Arcade system | data17 = Template:If first display both

| data30 =

| below = Template:EditOnWikidata

}}Template:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|ignoreblank=1|preview=Page using Template:Infobox video game with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"| alt | arcade system | artist | caption | border | child | collapsible | commons | composer | designer | developer | director | embedded | engine | fetchwikidata | genre | image | image_size | image_upright | italic title | modes | noicon | onlysourced | platform | platforms | producer | programmer | publisher | qid | refs | release | released | series | state | subbox | suppressfields | title | writer }}Template:Main other{{#if:Sonic Labyrinth Coverart.png|}} Template:Nihongo foot 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.

Gameplay

File:Sonic Labyrinth screenshot.png

Sonic exploring a stage

Sonic Labyrinth is an action and puzzle game with pinball elements.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8" /> It is presented in an isometric perspective,<ref name=":6" /> and has been compared to Marble Madness.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6" />

The player controls Sonic, navigating him through maze-like stages filled with enemies and obstacles that hinder his path.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Sonic walks uncharacteristically slowly,<ref name=":6" /> but can roll into a ball and dash across the levels to take out enemies and avoid danger.<ref name=":3" /> This spin dash move can be charged for extra speed and damage.<ref name=":3" /> Sonic must collect three keys in each stage and bring them to the goal to advance to the next level.<ref name=":6" /> Sometimes the keys may be hidden within enemies.<ref name=":3" /> The game has four zones, each containing three stages. After each set of three stages, there is a bonus round of collecting rings and a boss battle.<ref name=":6" /> Collecting 100 rings in the bonus round will net the player an extra life.<ref name=":3" /> A time attack mode is also available.<ref name=":6" />

Development and release

Sonic Labyrinth was developed by Minato Giken,<ref name=":6">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and published by Sega.<ref name=":1" /> It was released in Japan on November 17, 1995,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in North America that November,<ref name=":8">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and in Europe around October<ref name=":2" /> or November.<ref name=":1" /> The game was included in Sonic Adventure DX (2003) as an unlockable bonus,<ref name=":7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in the compilation Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was rereleased for the Nintendo 3DS on the Japanese eShop digital distribution platform on May 16, 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was later released in Europe on May 10, 2012,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in North America on June 17, 2013.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The North American release came as part of a campaign by Nintendo to release 8-bit games on the 3DS eShop following a drought of releases on the distribution service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The game does not take advantage of the system's 3D stereoscopic functionality.<ref name=":0" /> It was also included alongside the other Game Gear games in the series in Sonic Origins Plus, released on June 23, 2023.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Reception

Template:Video game reviews Critical reception to Sonic Labyrinth was mixed. Multiple reviewers wrote about difficulties controlling Sonic as he bounced wildly around the levels.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=":5">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref name=":2" /> Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) did not like the game's isometric perspective, thinking it contributed to problems directing Sonic around.<ref name=":4" /> GamePro wrote that small screen made it occasionally difficult to see what was occurring.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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).<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />

Reflecting their positive thoughts, Mega Fun thought Sonic Labyrinth featured innovative gameplay.<ref name=":5" /> GamePro and Famitsu both compared the game to Marble Madness.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=famitsu/> Sega Magazin thought the game was challenging with sophisticated level design.<ref name=":1" /> GamePro believed it was the most interesting of the recent Sonic additions to the Game Gear library.<ref name=":3" /> One reviewer at Mean Machines Sega thought it was a good puzzle game to play in short segments, and may be worth the time for fans of Sonic games, pinball, or puzzles. However another critic from the same magazine thought the game was frustrating and repetitive.<ref name=":2" /> EGM also thought the game became repetitious after a few levels and would be boring for more experienced players, although Sonic fans may enjoy it. They concluded their thoughts writing: "This title overall tried to mix the standard side-scrolling Sonic game with a worthless pinball title and failed. In turn, this one just comes up short in both playability and enjoyment, causing boredom after the first few stages."<ref name=":4" />

Retrospectively, reception has been negative and is frequently described as one of the worst Sonic games. In a retrospective review, Nintendo Life gave the game a "poor" 4 out of 10 score. They criticized the controls and illogical level design, and the start-stop nature of the gameplay. They also wrote about Sonic's lack of speed when walking on foot, which they thought was baffling for a Sonic game.<ref name=":6" /> USgamer called it "a poor man's version of Marble Madness, taking the worst of that game and the worst of Sonic and cramming it into one title. Absolutely dire."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nintendo World Report called it "a demented version of Sonic 3D Blast", drawing similarities through its isometric style.<ref name=":7" /> Official Nintendo Magazine called it "a dreadful game with an identity crisis" and "one of the worst Sonic games ever".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>