Sonic Riders (Nintendo GameCube, 2006)

Action! Speed! And much more!

This Sonic racing game has it all: sweet graphics in extreme environments, tons of playable characters who you can customize with special "Extreme Gear" boards and shoes --- and with multiple modes (Story, Mission, Time Attack, etc.) it has a high degree of re-playability.

For newer Sonic fans of shows like Sonic X (the same voice actors lend their voices for Sonic Riders) and games like Sonic Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog, this is a perfect game that flows the same way story-wise as they do.

Older, "true blue" Sonic fans may be annoyed by the new Babylon Rogue characters (Wave the Swallow, Jet the Hawk and Storm the Albatross) and the plot for the two story modes (there's a "Heroes" storyline and a seperate "Rogues" one) - as they don't follow some of the more traditional plots in the earlier Sonic games. The biggest complaint I've heard in the community is how Wave is treated as smarter than Tails and Dr. Eggman - though in the guide it clearly states that her genius is limited to "Extreme Gear."

Probably the best point this game has going for it is the unique way in which you race. Not only do you get to race on the boards, but you have to keep your "air guage" filled - and one way you do that is by doing tricks off ramps and rails. You can also "ride" the turbulence of other players - which makes for awesome moves and last-second races to the finish line.

The controls are a bit complex at first, but once you do a few races, you get the hang of it. The hardest thing is probably making a good landing after doing tricks. Keeping your air guage full at times can be difficult as well - but what's a racing game without some challenge to it?

I haven't played the multiplayer mode yet, but it promises to be a lot of fun as well.

If nothing else, get the game for the awesome eye candy. The cut scenes and especially the anime-esque opener are fun to watch again and again. The soundtrack is also upbeat and catchy. I find myself singing it without realizing it.

It's not the best racing game out there, but it sure is a lot of fun! And the interesting controls and game play make it unique among most racing games.

If you've got the money to spend and you love that speedy blue hedgehog, go for it!

I bought this game after buying, playing, and beating the sequel - Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity for Wii. I thought that since I had already mastered the technique of the second one, the first one wouldn't be too bad, even though I had heard it was difficult to control. When I finally got the chance to play it, I realized how wrong I was. It is completely different from Zero Gravity, and MUCH harder to control. Whether or not I win a race is based more on luck than on skill. As much as I like Sonic, this game just doesn't do it for me. I also think it doesn't make sense that Sonic is racing on this "Extreme Gear" when he can run faster than the max speed on the Gear. Sure, he can't do all the same tricks on his feet, but he would be overall faster. I'm very glad that I found it for cheap here on eBay instead of buying it when it first came out.

I bought this for my children, they love Sonic. They immediately started playing it, even my 5 year old. It is easy to understand and fun to play. They like that they can progress through the levels as they get better aand that they can buy up-grades with their prize money as they win races. Overall, this is a great game and they love it.

The story mode is great. The mini stories before each race are a treat. The characters are the ones you know and love. The races are slightly difficult some tracks may take a couple of tries to beat 'em. This review was formed by asking my nine year old son what he liked and disliked about this game.

This game has it's good things and some bad .The good is the different ones to play as in game and the races.The bad things are having more control over speed and steering of players the controls have fast and faster no control when slowing down any just mostly stop,It's a fun game and fast but I have more control on other named games fast and with more control in steering.