Spinball Whizzer opened for the 2004 season and is themed around a giant pinball machine where the ride vehicles are the pinball's. Around the ride there are giants props themed around pinball machines, from giant point targets to a spinning scoreboard on the rides entrance.
The ride received a rebrand in 2010 as part of a partnership with SEGA and to retheme the ride to Sonic The Hedgehog (Who had previously been at Alton Towers in 1994 - 2005 in Toyland Tours).
The sponsorship was originally meant to expire in 2013 however the deal was extended for another three years. After those three years the sponsorship was not extended so the park reverted the ride back to the original name.
When the ride returned for the 2016 season the classic on ride announcements were put back in but the area and ride had new music created by IMAScore.
The ride cars seat four people however, during rainy weather the capacity of the car has to be put down to three people.
