70
The series’ most notable feature – unparalleled speed – was somehow lost on this installment. Frustration prevails, an element I hope is excluded from all future Sonic releases.
60
While not the deepest racer, the game has speedy thrills and frantic multiplayer action that help bring Sonic's usual racing antics and signature speed to the sky.
62
Sonic is one of the fastest videogame mascots alive, so why has he been made to ride a sluggish snowboard in this new racer?
8
Sonic Riders is a daring and successful departure from the traditional kart-racing formula, trading wheels for gravity-defying "Extreme Gear." By blending the high-speed DNA of the franchise with the energy of early 2000s extreme sports, Sega created a racer that feels distinctly unique. The game’s greatest strength lies in its deep, skill-based mechanics—specifically the "Air" management system. Having to balance your fuel levels by performing tricks and catching the turbulence of opponents adds a layer of strategy that rewards precision and forward thinking, setting it apart from more casual racers. The presentation is a masterclass in style, leaning heavily into a futuristic, techno-industrial aesthetic that feels like a spiritual successor to Jet Set Radio. The character designs for the Babylon Rogues—Jet, Wave, and Storm—are some of the most inspired additions to the series' cast, providing a perfect antagonistic foil to Team Sonic. This style extends to the vibrant, multi-layered track designs, where branching paths based on character types (Speed, Fly, and Power) ensure that every lap feels fresh and rewards exploration. The "Extreme Gear" system in Sonic Riders is a revelation for anyone tired of the sluggish, item-dependent pacing found in franchises like Mario Kart. While that series often feels like a slow-motion stroll through a cartoon daycare where victory is handed out by a random number generator, Sonic Riders demands actual skill, reflexes, and a mastery of its deep air-management mechanics. It swaps out the "baby's first racer" training wheels for a high-octane, stylish experience that respects the player's intelligence.
6
Its cool but a little janky. I felt like the jump timing on ramps was inconsistent
9
This is the game that should be used as base to any sonic racing game going forward, shame we got stuck with the all star racing formula(and no crosswords may have the extreme gear but its gameplay is more pushed to all stars racing either way), but i hope this game gets remade in the exact way the gameplay is, only adding a few more stuff like characters and stages, because as far as gameplay goes, when you get the rhythm of it, its near perfection
Sonic Riders
PlayStation 2
Released On:
Feb 21, 2006
Metascore
Mixed or Average
55
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
My Score
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
55
12% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
66% Mixed
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
22% Negative
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
82
Just don't believe the hate.
70
The series’ most notable feature – unparalleled speed – was somehow lost on this installment. Frustration prevails, an element I hope is excluded from all future Sonic releases.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
66% Positive
95 Ratings
95 Ratings
30% Mixed
43 Ratings
43 Ratings
5% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
May 5, 2024
10
It's a game with gameplay that's a little complicated for beginners, but otherwise the game is really cool.
62
Sonic is one of the fastest videogame mascots alive, so why has he been made to ride a sluggish snowboard in this new racer?
55
Sonic Riders is simply a weak attempt to cash in on the popular Sonic brand with a bare bones racer that simply does everything to the “average” degree.
50
It offers interesting gameplay mechanics and a ton of modes, but the pieces don't fit together well, making this mascot racer better suited for a weekend drag race than a 500 lap cruise.
42
As part of the Sonic universe, the game offers tons of fun unlockables like movies and new racing environments, and the rings buy you more Extreme Gear... which makes no discernible impact on the game.
20
But this isn't so much a racing game as a slapdash splash of smeared color that never quite captures the feeling of hurtling down a track. [Jun 2006, p.92]
Oct 20, 2019
10
Sonic riders is an innovative racing game with an awesome soundtrack. At first glance, it might look complicated, but you’ll quickly learn the mechanics. It’s a good alternative to Mario kart with the same level of quality.
Oct 31, 2023
7
This game is really fun. It has a lot of content so you can spend a lot of time just playing different stuff. The music is very good and the art style is stunning. It is a shame that at least in the PS2 version that i played, the controls are not very good and the gameplay sometimes fall short. We really need a new game from this series or at least a remake of this game but fixing all the gameplay issues it had
Apr 12, 2022
7
Aside from a few rough edges, I find this game to be a satisfying and fun time overall. At times I couldnt find myself seeing where I was going due to the nature of the graphics in some stages, and I found myself feeling as if you had to play near perfectly, never falling out of as much as 3rd place to stand even a chance at winning. It feels as if it needs a few more worthwhile inclusions to step up to its true potential. (Of course, there’s a sequel and all, as I’m soon to play it.) I wouldnt knock it
Sep 29, 2016
7
this is quite good although the fact you need air to ride is a bit annoying also it can get boring very quickly but still i got a far bit of enjoyment out of it
May 19, 2011
4
Even at "super Sonic" speed, Sonic Riders feels sluggish. Pros: Flashy visuals; glossy soundtrack; overall, it's a stylish racer that has some good ideas. Cons: The turbulence system frequently robs you of gameplay; wonky controls; poor track designs; frustrating mechanics and AI.
SummaryDeveloped by Sonic Teaem, Tokyo, Sonic Riders integrates Extreme sports, high-speed racing and head-to-head battles, offering a new racing experience with Sonic unlike any before in other racing games. In Sonic Riders, Dr. Eggman challenges Sonic and his friends to a Worldwide Grand Prix, and the prize for coming out on top is an ultra-r... Read More
Rated Efor Everyone
Platforms:
- PC
- Xbox
- PlayStation 2
- GameCube
Initial Release Date:Feb 21, 2006
Developer:
Publisher:
