So, Sonic Pinball Party on the GBA—it’s basically pinball with that classic Sonic energy. You’ve got flippers, bumpers, and all the usual pinball chaos, but with zones and characters straight out of the Sonic universe. The physics feel pretty solid for a handheld game, and there’s something satisfying about launching the ball into a loop-de-loop or hitting a ramp just right.

There are a few different tables, each with their own theme—some lean into Sonic’s speed, others go full-on casino vibes. The first time I played, I totally ignored the missions and just tried to keep the ball alive, but later runs got way more interesting when I started hunting for bonuses. Also, the music? Exactly the kind of upbeat, slightly cheesy tracks you’d expect from a Sonic spin-off.

It’s not the deepest pinball sim out there, but for a quick handheld fix, it’s a blast. You’ll probably catch yourself muttering “one more game” more than once.