The Machine


 * See also: Sonic Spinball



The Machine is the third level of Sonic Spinball for the Mega Drive / Game Gear / Master System, coming after Lava Powerhouse and before Showdown. As with other stages in this game, Sonic must bounce through the pinball-like level, acquiring Chaos Emeralds which are in turn used to access the boss. In this stage, there are 5 to find, unlike the 3 required by the previous two bosses.

The Machine is the rumbling, robotic core of the Veg-O-Fortress; the facility's entire raison d'être. It is here that Lava Powerhouse's electricity flows, and where Toxic Caves' pollution flows from, for the entire level is one giant badnik production facility. Glassy industrial pipes riddle a stage of chruning pistons, electrical arc furnaces, and massive electronics systems. The stage also comes complete with a giant prison for Mobians awaiting roboticization; one of the Chaos Emeralds is hidden away in a cell, so ensure you break them all open!

Boss


Just as this level is the Veg-O-Fortress' reason for being, this boss is in turn The Machine's reason for being. Fuelled by the geothermal energies harnessed in Lava Powerhouse, the Veg-O-Machine is an automatic roboticizer, transforming Mobians into badniks at a terrifying rate. Happily, this abomination of Eggman's twisted mind does not put up too much of a fight. Sonic must simply smash the tubes which feed animals to the cruel machine, then hop inside and smash the thing up pinball-style.