List of pinball obstacles

In Sonic the Hedgehog games, pinball obstacles are bouncy obstacles that can bounce the player in different directions simply by touching them. They are most of the time featured in Casino, amusement park or other related Zones. In these Zones, large amounts of them are usually featured in the amusing sections in the area, making it resemble a huge pinball table. Aside from bouncing the playable characters, some pinball obstacles can reward the player with a small amount of points or nothing. Many of them are based on known layouts featured from real-life's pinball machines.

The following article lists many of the pinball obstacles featured in Sonic the Hedgehog series. Several variations of obstacles in the list are never mentioned or named in any form, and because of this, some of them are named after their real-life pinball machine layout counterparts.

Bumper
Bumpers are the most general and well known variation of pinball obstacles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Like their real-life counterparts, Bumpers function by bouncing the player backwards when they are touched. Throughout the series, their appearance is changed numerous times, though their key features include a round shape, red edges with a blue inner area and a yellow or white colored five-pointed star in the center. Additionally, Bumpers can also reward the player with certain amount of points every time when he/she bounces on one certain amount of times.

Breakaway Bumper
Breakaway Bumpers are a sub-series of regular Bumpers, which appearanced in Sonic the Hedgehog CD and Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble.

Bumper Pillar
Bumper Pillars have only appeared in 8-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, where they serve as huge obstacles for the player in the game's Special Stages. They are depicted as cylinder pillars of light green and yellow lines that twist around each other. Touching them will send the player flying backwards so the player has to either cross over or below them, as getting bounced by them at thigh speed can easily make the player lose the control over the playable character.

Hexagonal Bumper
Hexagonal Bumpers are a variations of regular pinball obstacles which function like regular Bumpers. The only noticeable differences between this variation and regular Bumper is its hexagonal shape and that they do not give points. Hexagonal Bumpers also come in two types: the normal ones, which are hovering one place, and those moving to the left and right in a linearly pattern.

Both types of Hexagonal Bumpers first appeared in Casino Night Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where they are depicted as blue and orange colored blocks. Both types of obstacles later reappeared in Sonic Advance, where they are featured in Casino Paradise Zone. In this game, they are somewhat flatter and have a red color scheme with a yellow five-pointed star on them. Hexagonal Bumpers are also seen hovering in one place in Casino Street Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, where they have a yellow and blue color scheme.

Triangle Bumper
Triangle Bumpers are a type of pinball obstacle that usually come in two types. The first type is usually large and wide plates set on the ground, walls, ceilings or even against each other. The second type is smaller, but have a more triangular look. The second types of triangle bumpers are usually set in the corner sections of the areas they are present in. Both types made their first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where they are featured in Casino Night Zone. Here, wider triangle plates are colored red and blue, while triangle bumpers in corners are colored red and green.

Wider triangle plates are later featured in the Glowing Spheres type of Bonus Stage in Sonic & Knuckles, where they are set on walls instead of being separated obstacles. In Sonic Drift 2, Casino Night the race track has smaller triangle bumpers as obstacles, which can push racers sideways. Wider triangle plates reappeared in Cosmic Casino in Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure where they reprised their role from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Both types are also seen in Casino Paradise Zone in Sonic Advance, where both wider and smaller triangle bumpers have red and yellow color schemes. In Sonic Heroes, wider triangle plates are featured in the Casino Park and BINGO Highway where they are colored black and green. Also, in Casino Street Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, wider triangle plates have yellow and blue color schemes, and corner triangle bumpers have red and green color schemes.

Drop Target
Drop Targets are one of more different and unique types of pinball obstacles, that first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. They are much smaller than regular bumpers or other obstacles and are seen floating in the mid-air in string lines. Drop Targets come in three different colors depending how much the player jumps on them. Before jumping on them, they are green colored, which then turn into yellow and red after the second jump. After third jumping, the Drop Target will disappear. Drop Targets are one type of obstacles, which earn points for the player once jumping on to it.

Triangular Spring
Triangular Springs are loose variations of regular Springs, that made debut appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. They are small yellow or different colored series of bouncy plates set on narrow routes and gaps. They are not as wildly featured as other pinball obstacles in Casino or amusement park themed Zones. They are featured at Carnival Night Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Casino Paradise Zone in Sonic Advance. In Sonic Heroes, white Triangular Springs are seen on pinball tables of Casino Park and BINGO Highway.

Slingshot
Slingshots are another type of pinball obstacles, which made first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball. They function similarly like wide triangle plates, but their placement and shape is different. Slingshots also have more traditional setting as like in real-life pinball machines, there are two slingshots and flippers placed between the kickout hole.

Slingshots are featured in 3D games than most of pinball obstacles, as they are featured in both Sonic and Nights pinball tables at Casinopolis in Sonic Adventure and all pinball tables in Sonic Pinball Party. Large, green slingshots are also seen at pinball tables of Casino Park and BINGO Highway in Sonic Heroes, Casino Night DLC pinball table in console/PC versions of Sonic Generations and separated pinball tables in Frozen Factory Zone 3 in Sonic Lost World for Wii U.