Product Description

TRY TO KEEP UP! Sonic takes on Dr. Eggman's call for the fastest air-rider at the World Grand Prix. Compete against new rivals - the Babylon Rogues - as you pull off insane tricks and catch massive air!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9547 in Video Games
• Brand: Sega Of America, Inc.
• Model: 010086630862
• Released on: 2008-02-12
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Dimensions: .31 pounds

Features

• 1-2 Player
• Hang Tight! Ride the Turbulence to ramp up speed!
• The Bigger the Trick, The Greater the Power!
• Discover new characters in the giant Story Mode
• Up to four players in multiplayer splitscreen

Customer Reviews

Blue Thunder
There is just so much hype going on with Sony right now, on their upcoming Playstation 3 video game console. While that has been the case with fans, there are still some great challenges Playstation 2 fanatics arguably still have a chance to come to play with. That has also been the case with Sonic The Hedgehog as well. Since his debut in the 90's, his character has always been changing around with the need of blue speed for a longtime. Although he has had some great platformers, his racing games weren't really up to par and lacked challenge from Sonic R from the Sega Saturn era, and Sonic Drift 2, a knock off of the Mario Kart games. This time, the fast and the furious definitely are fast and furious.

Sonic Rider for the Playstation 2 is a wild and outrageous ride that takes you in and out of the worlds of Sonic. The game play is more than just simple. There are over a dozen of wild and outrageous tracks like Metal City, Sky Road, and Dr. Robotnik's Egg Factory. In the game you can play through the EX World Grand Prix, and work your way to the top of the pack, or try to improve your skills with the mission mode, where you have to undergo tyricks and collect items within a certain period of time. But, Story mode is where you really learn the basis of the game through the eyes of Sonic, and the Rogues Jet, Storm, and Wave who are new to the Sonic games.

There are also unlockable characters like Shadow, Cream, and others if your practice right. The graphics and sound are definitely amazing, but the manuverability on some of the boards is very difficult, and takes a whole lot to get used to at first. Not only that, but you have to also perform a lot of tricks to keep your air up, and with the race. If you use too much, you will wipe out, and try to scurry over to a speedy pit stop.

Despite a couple of mishaps, Sonic Riders is a delightful game for anybody who is a die hard Sonic fan, or just wants a change in the thrill of racing games. This is a very good game for the Playstation 2, and still shows Sonic has a bit of strength in his franchise.

Graphics: B+

Sound: B 1/2-

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B

Not always a fun ride
It's hard to recommend Sonic Racing games. You'd think that Sonic the Hedgehog would be great for a racing game. The Sonic games have been all about speed. Therefore, Sonic should pratically own the racing genre. However, in the past, Sonic Racing games have not been on the top of many gamer's list, and unfortunately, Sonic Riders isn't going to be high on your list either. It's much better than the previous attempts at a Sonic Racing game, but plenty of small things keep it from being the overall joyful experience you'd want it to be.

First things first, the plot is just about the same as it is in every Sonic game. Sonic and pals are on a hunt for the Chaos Emeralds. This time, however, they're after the Babylon Rogues to retrieve or something like that. A racing game really shouldn't have to have a plot other than to race. Not to mention it's very identical to many other Sonic games in the series. As you begin the game and all, you'll quickly forget about the storyline. As I said, a racing game doesn't need one to be good, and in Sonic's case, it almost hurts the game.

The gameplay is when I'm absolutely left at a standstill. It's great to be able to pull of some tricks as Sonic and company. They look really cool. It's easy to get into the gameplay, but just as easily, you'll soon find yourself frustrated. You race on hoverboards. Throughout each race you've got an air meter that you can use to boost yourself. This sounds really great, and it would be if you didn't have to use it so much. And once you've used up all your air meter, your character goes at it on foot. I wouldn't have a problem with it, but perhaps they should've done the air meter to the point where it begins to gradually refill. There are pitstops, but going to them takes the fun out of the race, and ultimately slows you down. This is Sonic, I don't want to go slow. Speed is what Sonic is all about. To make up for this, however, you can ride off of another player's turbulence, which will ultimatley give you a boost. The only problem being you lose control, however in some cases it's not a problem, and it's rather helpful.

Likewise, some of the track designs are poor. Combine that with a few loose controls and there's a problem. For one, taking corners is frustrating. Especially because they come so sudden, and sometimes you might be faced with a pit right around a corner. If you're riding on someone's turbulance while you round a corner, you lose control and ultimately go off course, and then you've got to wait to be reseted. Likewise, I find myself constantly going into walls while taking a corner. Again, this slows you down considerably. I don't have this problem in most other racers, and with Sonic Riders it's much harder to learn how to take corners. There's just no perfect way to do it.

There are also a lot of objects in your way. This is to be expected of any racing game, so I won't penalize Sonic Riders here. It does take a while to get back on track upon running into these objects and it uniquely adds to the challenge. However, the game isn't that challenging, really. Most of the computer players race in a fairly predictable manner, and while you'll end up having to use your boost at the beginning, you'll get the computers pattern down quickly.

Luckily there's multiplayer in this. And multiplayer is a very satisfying experience in Sonic Riders. It's a lot more fun to race against your (most likely) unpredictable friends than it is the predictable computer. The game also gets credit for it's unlockables. More extreme gear, and some hidden characters. Some of them classic characters that Sonic fans know and love. So the unlockables are kind of cool and worthwhile.

The game also looks good. There are times of slowdown, but that's no bother (at least in this game). For the most part, it's colorful, vibrant, and detailed. While some of the courses are frustrating, they've definitely got a good look and feel to them.

So to put it simple. Sonic Riders is for the Sonic fan. If you love Sonic, chances are you'll like this game. It isn't the best racing game out there, but it is the best Sonic Racing game out there, and so hardcore fans might want to get a hold on to it. There are moments of frustration, but not so much you shouldn't by the game. If you're more serious about your racing games, then Sonic Riders probably isn't for you.

The Good
+Good graphics
+The game is fast
+Plenty of unlockables

The Bad
-Frustrating courses
-Predictable AI
-A racing game doesn't really need a plot. Here, it doesn't hurt Sonic, but it definitely doesn't help the overall game.

Surf's Up Dude!!!
So far this is the latest title in the Sonic series and it...is...FAST!! Yes, the best part about Sonic Riders is that it ressurects the element that earned the series a place in gamers' hearts to begin with, speed. In fact that's what this game is all about. It's a new kind of racing game that combines racing with combat in a Sonic title to make one big, and extremely awsome, rodent vs bird frag fest. What's also good here is that unlike Sonic R the characters use air boards to sail down the intricate tracks instead of their feet or trademark vehicles and it's not as slippery. You can also ride on other racers' "turbulance" to catch up with them and even run them over, (always a good laugh). You can also use different weapons aquired throughout the levels against your apponents. And best of all there are two stories to play through, heroes and Babalonians,(the heroes game must be finished first). Think of it as Sonic meets Road Rash on air boards. And of course the story: Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are searching for a chaos emerald when they spot three mysterious figures smashing their way out of a building on flying boards. It turns out that the three figures, who's names are Jet The Hawk, Wave The Swallow and Storm The Albatross are Babalonian thieves who have stolen the emerald and are trying to escape with it. Sonic tries to confront them and gets a good look at Jet while Knuckles throws a few punches and knocks Storm off of his board, which Tails notices has the Babalonian symbol on the underside. Sonic scoops up Storm's board and gives chase only to be bested,(for once), by Jet and knocked to the pavement. Sonic realizes he has "new compitition". They later find out that Eggman has created a race called the "World Grand Prix" in which he has signed up Jet, Wave and Storm as his best racers. And the prize? A chaos emerald of course. Will Good once again triumph over evil? Has Sonic met his Match? Get set for a high speed battle so fast you'll swear you've been pressed into your seat!