[Mush xx]

In 1991, Hayao Nakayama, the chairman of Sega, decided to develop a mascot for Sega. Chosen primarily because the animal can roll into a ball, this made the hedgehog a versatile character. Yuji Naka and his computer-designing team then created the first Sonic video game to be packaged with their new video game system of the time, the Sega Genesis. Known today as the "Sonic Team," Sonic Riders is different, as this is a racing game. The object is to become the fastest air-rider (sort of skateboards, but without the wheels!) at the World Grand Prix. When you first load up the game you get a choice of a normal race, free race, time attack or world grand prix. These are for people that like to jump into the action, without having to go through the story mode. In the Story Mode, follow the adventures of Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and a few new ones, Jet The Hawk, Miles, Wave The Swallow and Storm, as they battle to defeat the devious Eggman. This time for title of the World Grand Prix. As you would expect from Sonic games, there are the usual gold rings to pick up along with powerups, High Speed, Explosion, (this one's pretty cool as you can launch bombs at your rivals), Invincibale Barrier, protects you against attacks, and a few more. The races are pretty fast, unpredictable and exciting, riding the turbulence, you can pick up speed. There are also tricks you can master, while in the air, back flips, front flips, rail grinding, they come with practise. I would say it's a mix of F-Zero and Tony Hawks. Probably the best part of this is the multiplayer aspect, take a friend on for a race or two. The graphics are bright and colourful, what you expect from Sonic games, and feels a lot like Sonic Adventure. The commentator tends to repeat herself during the races though and this gets rather irratating. The overall sound is good and the story mode will sure to delight children of all ages. I found the controls a little difficault to master at first, but playing it for a bit longer soon became easier. It lacks Xbox Live features, so there is no Xbox Live scoreboards or online play, but overall if you love Sonic this may be another game for your collection. Graphics 7.5 Gameplay 7 Sound 6.5 Addiction 6.5 Overall 6.5

[R31DY]

Poor old sonic, its been all downhill sinse his old 2D days . There was a fairly decent dreamcast effort a few years back, but sinse then i havent wanted to play sonic games as they have never looked interesting enough, even with "riders" its still the same old sonic. Mario has definatly aged better, but even he hasn't been looking at his best with some recent efforts. It seems like the old clasics are finally dieing away .

ps. good review mush .

[auron uk]

I've never been a sonic fan, all of the 'variations' seem to be the same game. Having said that, a nice even handed review

P.S. Nice sig Reidy