Spinball Whizzer

This article is about a subject in the real world.

Information in this article is about real-life people, companies, and objects, which do not relate to the in-universe Sonic series.

"Sonic Spinball (roller coaster)" redirects here. For other uses, see Sonic Spinball (disambiguation).

Logo of the Spinball Whizzer.

The Spinball Whizzer, formerly known as Sonic Spinball, is a steel spinning roller coaster made by Maurer Söhne of Germany and sponsored by Sega. The ride is located in the Adventure Land area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England.

Overview[]

The ride opened to the public in 2004. It was themed around a giant pinball machine with silver cars for the balls. The ride also featured several high-banked turns, adding to the pinball theme. A large variety of music could be heard from the rock 'n' roll genre whilst queuing up or standing near the ride. This was appropriate, as its name was a play on the title of "Pinball Wizard", a song by The Who. In the past, riders have expressed frustration at the long queues this ride could attract on a busy day, with each car holding only four people.

On 3 January 2010, it was announced that the ride would take on a Sonic the Hedgehog theme for the 2010 season and become known as "Sonic Spinball", a reference to the game Sonic Spinball.

Sonic music is heard during the ride and Sonic can be heard telling guests about the ride. The karts are themed around the main characters of the series: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Dr. Eggman. In 2016, the ride returned to its Spinball Whizzer theme, likely ending the partnership between Sega and Alton Towers as the contract had expired.

Trivia[]

Sonic Spinball was most likely named in a reference to the 1993 video game of the same name.
This ride is the first instance of Roger Craig Smith ever voicing Sonic.

Gallery[]

Gallery
The former logo of the ride, after being renamed "Sonic Spinball". Sonic painting the ride upon announcement of the re-theme.

Video[]

Sonic_Spinball_(Alton_Towers) — Sonic Spinball (Alton Towers)

External links[]

Spinball Whizzer at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sonic the Hedgehog in other media

Printed media	Manga	Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic (1991) · Sonic the Hedgehog (The Adventures of SONIC the Hedgehog (1992—1994) · Dash & Spin Super Fast Sonic (2003—2005) · Dengeki Nintendo DS (Sonic World Adventure (2008), Sonic and the Black Knight (2009), Sonic Chronicles (2009), Sonic Colors (2010), Sonic Generations (2011) · Sonic Superstars Start Book (2023)
	Comic books	Sonic the Hedgehog (promotional comic) (1991) · Archie Comics (Issue ¼ (1992), Sonic the Hedgehog (miniseries) (1993), Sonic the Hedgehog (comic series) (1993—2017) · Sonic the Comic (1993—2002) · Sonic Sunday Strips (1993—1995) · Sonic Adventures (1994) · Archie Comics (Princess Sally (1995), Tails (1995), Knuckles (1996), Sonic Quest (1996), Knuckles the Echidna (1997—1999), Sonic X (2005—2008), Sonic Universe (2008—2017), Sonic Boom (2014—2015) · Sonic Comic (2016) · IDW Publishing (Sonic the Hedgehog (2018-present), Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper (2019), Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome (2021-2022), Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island (2022-2023)
	Novels and picture books	Stay Sonic (1993) · Virgin Books (Sonic the Hedgehog in Robotnik's Laboratory (1993), Sonic the Hedgehog in the Fourth Dimension (1993), Sonic the Hedgehog and the Silicon Warriors (1993), Sonic the Hedgehog in Castle Robotnik (1994) · Pense Bem: Uma Aventura Científica com Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) · Troll Associates (Sonic the Hedgehog (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog: Robotnik's Revenge (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog: Fortress of Fear (1995), Sonic the Hedgehog: Friend or Foe? (1995), Sonic & Knuckles (1995), Sonic X-Treme (1997) · Ladybird (Sonic the Hedgehog Colouring Poster Book (1994), Sonic the Story (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog: Robotnik's Oil (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog: The Invisible Robotnik (1994) · Watermill Press (Sonic the Hedgehog (1995) · Golden Books (Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic's Shoes Blues (1993), Sonic the Hedgehog 2: The Secret Admirer (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Up Against the Wall (1995), Sonic the Hedgehog: Double Trouble (1996) · Sonic X (2005—2007) (Meteor Shower Messenger (2005), Spaceship Blue Typhoon (2005), Battle at Ice Palace (2006), Aqua Planet (2006), Dr. Eggman Goes to War (2006), Desperately Seeking Sonic (2007) · Where's Sonic? A Search-and-Find Adventure (2012) · Sonic Boom (2015—2016) (Le partenaire ideal (2015), La machine à gaffes (2015), Pas de chance, Knuckles ! (2015), L'épouvantable Todd (2016), Sonic Superstar (2016), Une étrange météorite (2016)) · Sonic and the Tales of Deception (2018) · Sonic and the Tales of Terror (2018) · Meet Sonic! (2019) · Sonic Prime (2023-2024) (Bienvenue à Néo Yoke City ! (2023), Le prisme du paradoxe (2023), La loi de la jungle (2024), L'arbre qui cache la forêt (2024))
	Strategy guides	BradyGames (Sonic Riders: BradyGames Official Strategy Guide (2006), Sonic Colors: BradyGames Official Strategy Guide (2010), Sonic Generations: BradyGames Official Strategy Guide (2011) · Prima Games (Sonic Adventure: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (1999), Sonic Adventure 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (2001), Sonic Adventure 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (2003), Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (2003), Sonic Heroes: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (2004), Shadow the Hedgehog: Prima Official Game Guide (2005), Sonic the Hedgehog: Official Game Guide (2006), Sonic and the Secret Rings: Prima Official Game Guide (2007), Sonic Unleashed: Prima Official Game Guide (2008), Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood: Prima Official Game Guide (2008) · Sonic Adventure 2 Perfect Guide (2001) · Sonic Advance & Sonic Adventure 2: Battle Official Perfect Guide (2002) · Sonic Advance 2 Official Guidebook (2003) · Shadow the Hedgehog Strongest Strategy Guide (2005) · Softbank (Sonic R Official Guide (1997), Sonic Adventure: Navigation Guide (1999), Sonic Adventure 2 Hero/Dark Manual (2001)
	Other	Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Knitting Patterns (1992) · Sonic the Hedgehog Adventure Gamebook (Fantail) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (1993—1996) · Sonic the Hedgehog Adventure Gamebook (Ladybird) (1, 2, 3, 4) (1994—1995) · Joke Book (1994) · Sonic Extra (199X) · Where's Sonic? (1994) · Where's Sonic Now? (1996) · Puzzle Book 1 (1994) · Puzzle Book 2 (1994) · The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbook (1993, 1994) · Sonic the Hedgehog Book (1992) · Sonic the Hedgehog Paint 'n' Marker Book (1993) · Look and Find Sonic the Hedgehog (1995) · Sonic the Hedgehog (Play-a-Sound) (1995) · How to Draw Sonic the Hedgehog & the Gang (1998) · The History of Sonic the Hedgehog (2012) · Sonic the Hedgehog Super Interactive Annual 2014 (2013) · Run, Sonic, Run! (2013) · Sonic the Hedgehog Joke Book (2014) · Sonic the Hedgehog Sticker Mania! (2014) · Totally Sonic (2014) · Sonic: His Amazing History! (2016) · The Secrets of Sonic the Hedgehog (2016) · Sonic: The Ultimate Character Guide (2016) · Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary Art Book (2017) · Welcome to the World of Sonic (2018) · Sonic the Hedgehog Mad Libs (2018) · Race Against Chaos Sticker Activity Book (2018) · Sonic the Hedgehog Art & Design Book (2019) · Sonic & Friends Sticker Activity Book (2019) · Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia (2021) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Coloring Book (2022) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Color by Sticker Book (2022) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Adult Coloring Book (2022) · Sonic Prime Sticker Album (2023) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Cookbook (2023) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The IDW Comic Art Collection (2023) · The Ultimate Sonic Prime Coloring Book (2023) · Sonic Prime Sticker & Activity Book (2024) · Sonic - Maxi-colo (2024)
Television and film	Animated shows	Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) · Sonic the Hedgehog (1993—1994) · Sonic Underground (1999) · Sonic X (2003—2005) · Sonic Boom (2014—2017) · Sonic Prime (2022-2024)
	Shorts	Sonic the Animation (1997) · Sonic: Night of the Werehog (2008) · Sonic Mania Adventures (2018) · Team Sonic Racing Overdrive (2019) · Chao In Space (2019) · Around the World in 80 Seconds (2020) · Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps (2021) · Sonic Drone Home (2022) · Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (2022) · Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble (2023) · Ghost Tale (2023)
	Other	Sonic - Super Hedgehog (1994) · Sonic Christmas Blast (1996) · Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996) · Let's Meet Sonic (2019) · Sonic the Hedgehog (film series) (Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), Knuckles (2024), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024))
	Cancelled projects	Super Sonic Sisters · Sonic: The Movie · Sonic the Hedgehog: Wonders of the World · Sonic Armageddon
Internet streams		Sonic Official (2016-present) · Sonic Station Live! (2020-present) · Sonic Central (2021-present) · TailsTube (2022-present) · Sonic & Friends (2023-present)
Events		Anniversaries (10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th) · Conventions (Sonic Boom, Sonic Party 2002 Summer Festival, Sonic Party 2003 Summer Festival, Summer of Sonic) · Fast. Friends. Forever. · Fearless: Year of Shadow · Franchise timeline · Ken Penders' legal cases · Project Sonic · Sonic 2020 · Sonic Generations of Skate · Sonic in Sydney · Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony · Steve Aoki x Sonic Concert · Sonic Symphony World Tour
Miscellaneous		Alton Towers (Spinball Whizzer) · Cameo appearances and references · Cookie Crisp · Frosties · Guinness World Records · Honey Nut Cheerios · iTunes · Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Sonic Balloon · Sanic · Sega Republic (Sonic Hopper, Spin Gear) · Sega Sonic Railway · Sonic Bible · Sonic Bowl · Toyland Tours

Sonic Wiki Zone

Spinball Whizzer

Contents

Overview[]

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

Video[]

External links[]

Fan Feed