Sonic Labyrinth

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. 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. Sometimes the keys may be hidden within enemies. 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. Collecting 100 rings in the bonus round will net the player an extra life. A time attack mode is also available. ==Development and release==

Sonic Labyrinth was developed by Minato Giken, and published by Sega. in North America that November, and in Europe around October and in the compilation Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004). It was rereleased for the Nintendo 3DS on the Japanese eShop digital distribution platform on May 16, 2012. It was later released in Europe on May 10, 2012, and in North America on June 17, 2013. 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. The game does not take advantage of the system's 3D stereoscopic functionality. ==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." 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). Nintendo World Report called it "a demented version of Sonic 3D Blast", drawing similarities through its isometric style. ==Notes==