All-new air board racing. New blend of snowboarding, surfing and high-speed racing combat.
Innovative “Turbulence" air-system. Catch the drift of your opponents and leave them in your wake!
Insane tricks. The more difficult trick combo you pull off, the more air you get!
4-Player Ultimate Battle. New rival group, the Babylon Rogues sets the stage for scorching head-to-head multi-player battles up to 4 players.
Choose from 17 different playable characters, the largest selection in any Sonic game to date!
16 outrageous tracks, plus multiple modes, and tons of bonus unlockables.
Collect and customize your Extreme Gear with over 9 unique types of equipment to choose from, as well as equipment upgrades.
Unravel the mystery in Story Mode. You’ll play as two opposing teams, complete with cut-scenes.
Opening movie done by the legendary anime production company Production I.G.
Difficulty
Even for dedicated veteran gamers, this game is considerably difficult; so difficult in fact that first time gamers could find the game to be too challenging. The difficulty lies in not just the computer players' AI and in unlocking the various items, but also in the mediocre level design. Also the game is very unforgiving of mistakes. Players increase their level (which increases the air capacity and initial stats of the gear being used) by collecting rings, with the highest possible level being 3. However, if a player is attacked, that player loses all rings and goes back down to level 1 regardless of which level the player is (which also occurs when the player falls off the track in certain
courses). Depending on the level of the attacking computer player, the player attacked could be stunned for several precious seconds. It is even possible to never catch up to the leader despite the players' best efforts. This presents a problem because in order to unlock the SEGA themed tracks, one must complete both "World Grand Prix" modes with a gold emblem, which is only possible by placing first in every race (i.e. having the most points isn't enough)(note: you can place second in one race). Additionally, the fact that not all the tracks are present initally presents a problem for those who want to unlock the "Chaos Emerald" gear (and by extension, Super Sonic), which is done by completing Mission Mode with all gold emblems, which requires that all of the tracks eventually be available (including the Babylon versions), which requires playing both Story Modes along with both aformentioned World Grand Prix modes (in other words, players are "forced" to play certain modes in order to unlock everything). The game could also be seen as having "hidden catches". After certain gears are unlocked, they are not automatically added to your collection; after unlocking, they must be purchased from the shop, which requires playing the game several times in order to get enough rings. This could be seen as a misguided attempt at increasing replay value.
Also, unless in Tag Mode, the computer players have infinite air, which makes Dr. Eggman hard to defeat, as the bike E-Rider has high stats, but uses too much air.
Story
Plot
It is midnight in Metal City, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna are searching for a Chaos Emerald Tails detected on his radar. Glass shatters and from the Metal City bank falls Jet the Hawk, Wave the Swallow, and Storm the Albatross, the legendary band of thieves known as the Babylon Rogues. The thieves are riding on Extreme Gear, floating airboards. Sonic tries to get Jet to pull over, but the hawk ignores Sonic. However, Knuckles manages to send Storm flying off his airboard. As Tails notices a strange symbol, Wave appears to catch Storm. Seeing the Babylon Rogues escape, Sonic grabs the board Storm left behind to pursuit Jet. The two are racing, but despite his inexperience, Sonic gets ahead. Sonic notices that Jet is gone, but when he looks up, Jet uses a tornado to send Sonic flying off his board. Jet makes a snide remark and flies away, as Wave and Storm arrive so the albatross can grab his board and flee.
The next day, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are still in Metal City, and they see a familiar face on the monitors. Dr. Eggman announces that he's created a race called the EX World Grand Prix. It is a competition to see who is the best on Extreme Gear. Sonic decides to pass, but when Eggman announces that the prize is all seven of the Chaos Emeralds, and that the current racers are the same thieves Team Sonic met up with yesterday, Sonic quickly changes his mind saying his famous battle line, "Let's do this!"
Conclusion
After defeating the Babylonian Guardian, Sonic and Jet open the the treasure chest only to find that the Treasure of Babylon was a Magic Carpet prototype Gear. Eggman then dashes in and holds the heroes and Babylonians at gunpoint, demanding ecstatically examines his new prize, then it dawns on him that he exerted the effort of organizing the EX World Grand Prix for something utterly useless to him. He faints in shock. Jet then decides to leave the island because of the "words of wisdom" on the back of the carpet. Everyone says their farewells, Sonic and Jet throw their boards into the air and jump on them while "Catch Me If You Can" plays. They make a U-turn, cross paths in the middle of the air in the shape of an "X" and Jet vows to return and show Sonic the Hedgehog who really is the fastest (in the air).
Unlike previous games, there is no "Last Story" mode, since the Babylon story ends with the Babylon Guardian's defeat, and discovering that the treasure that was so sought after was a magic carpet.
Characters
In Sonic Riders, there are 16 characters with varying types. The seventeenth one isn't actually a 'character,' but is an improved version of one of the characters using the Chaos Emerald Extreme Gear.
E-10000y (Enemy Robot in Egg Factory(Ice Factory))
E-10000p (Enemy Robot in Egg Factory(Ice Factory))
Notes
Some notes about the list:
Jet the Hawk, Wave the Swallow, and Storm the Albatross, all new, are members of a new organization of thieves and bandits known as the Babylon Rogues and are led by Doctor Eggman during the tournament until a certain point in the game. Jet is Sonic's rival at the time, Wave is Tails' one and Storm is Knuckles'. Other than that, very little is known about them except that Wave is a master mechanic.
Only Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Jet, Wave, and Storm are playable in Story Mode. However, Amy, E-10000g, and E-10000r do race against the other players. Amy and Eggman also make appearances in the plot of Story Mode.
Amy is also the only character not playable in story mode to be unlocked from the start.
In all versions, Eggman has clips of his voice by Deem Bristow AND Mike Pollock. This is apparently because they decided to reuse some of Eggman's Sonic Adventure 2 2-Player Mode quotes in Sonic Riders. The rest of the characters use brand new quotes.
It has been confirmed that Omochao is the announcer.
E-10000g and E-10000r, despite the confusions with the US/European gamesites, actually have flipped types from what everyone thought they were. E-10000g is power, and E-10000r is speed. Also, E-10000g makes more appearences than E-10000r.
Courses
There are 16 courses in the game. Six of them appear in the Hero Story, seven appear in the Babylon Story. The unlockable Battle arenas and the Sega themed parks that do not appear in Story mode.
Hero
Metal City
Splash Canyon
Egg Factory
Green Cave
Sand Ruins
Babylon Garden
Digital Dimension
Babylon
Night Chase
Red Canyon
Ice Factory
White Cave
Dark Desert
Sky Road
Babylon Guardian
Battle
Dual Towers
Snowy Valley
Space Theater
Other
SEGA CARNIVAL
SEGA ILLUSION
Namco Stadium
Rainbow Road (MK64)
Extreme Gear
These air vehicles are called "Extreme Gear" which consists of bikes, skates and boards. There are 54 Extreme Gear in total [1].
There is no button used for acceleration, nor is there a "trick" button; tricks are done by moving the control stick.
Each character has a default gear, for example, Shadow uses a modified version of his air shoes called "Darkness", while Eggman uses a bike called "E-Rider". Some characters have gear that is exclusively for him/her, however most gear can be used by others, lessening the feeling of individuality.
Boards
Blue Star [Sonic Only]
Blue Star II [Sonic Only]
Yellow Tail [Tails Only]
Red Rock [Knuckles Only]
Type J [Jet Only]
Type W [Wave Only]
Type S [Storm Only]
Pink Rose [Amy Only]
Smile [Cream Only]
Temptation [Rouge Only]
E-GearG [E-10000g Only]
E-GearR [E-10000r Only]
Channel 5 [Ulala Only]
Night Sky [NiGHTS Only]
Banana [Aiai Only]
High Booster - Has stronger boosts which take up more air then regular boosts
Auto Slider - Automatically slides while taking on corners
Beginner - Uses little air
Speed Balancer - Works best on straight roads
Access - Allows Speed and Power characters to fly
Accelerator - The speed of boosts is enhanced
Trap Gear - Tornadoes use up no air
Light Board - Board that is lighter than the rest
Slide Booster - Can use slides without burning any air; can't use boosts
The Crazy - Uses rings instead of air
Opa Opa - Uses a ton weight as an attack
Powerful Gear - Doesn't lose speed on poor roads
Power Gear - Enhances endurance
Turbo Star - Has astounding acceleration allowing the player to reach the top speed quickly
Fastest - Can achieve the highest top speed of any Gear
Legend - Allows the player to achieve maximum height for any jump
Faster - The top speed of any character is enhanced
Gambler - If you finish in first your rings get doubled; lose your character's ability
Beserker - Your character now attacks automatically
Magic Carpet - Allows Speed and Power characters to fly
Air Broom - Lets Fly and Power characters grind
Hovercraft (a.k.a - Cloud Gear) - Has horrible handling but amazing in everything else
Chaos Emerald [Sonic Only] - Transforms Sonic into Super Sonic on Blue Star; Use rings:start with 30
Skates
Darkness [Shadow]
Grinder - Allows Fly and Power characters to grind
Advantage-F - Acceleration enhanced for Fly characters only
Advantage-S - Top speed and acceleration enhanced for Speed characters only
Advantage-P - Endurance and power abilities enhanced for Power characters only
Cannonball - Boosts use no air; can't use attacks; air does not rise when you perform tricks
Bikes
E-Rider [Eggman]
Destroyer - Allows Speed and Fly characters to use Power abilities
Air Tank - Holds a lot of air
Omnipotence - Lets you use all abilities
Cover-S - Acceleration and endurance enhanced for Speed characters only
Cover-F - Acceleration and endurance enhanced for Fly characters only
Cover-P - Acceleration and endurance enhanced for Power characters only
Heavy Bike - Exceptional speed and power; can't ride turbulence; no slow down on jump charge
Hang On - This plays the main theme of Sega-AM2's arcade game Hang-On.
All characters have stats that depend on who they are, and what there abilities are. For Gear, the stats are relative to the character using it. Both lists are incomplete at this time.
Beat 'Mission Mode' with all gold emblems. Is really a Sonic-exclusive board.
Courses
Babylon Garden
Beat 'Hero Story.'
Night Chase
Beat 'Night Chase' in 'Babylon Story.'
Red Canyon
Beat 'Red Canyon' in 'Babylon Story.'
Ice Factory
Beat 'Ice Factory' in 'Babylon Story.'
White Cave
Beat 'White Cave' in 'Babylon Story.'
Dark Desert
Beat 'Dark Desert' in 'Babylon Story.'
Sky Road
Beat 'Sky Road' in 'Babylon Story.'
Digital Dimension
Beat 'Babylon Story.'
Babylon Guardian
Beat 'Babylon Story.'
SEGA Carnival
Get a gold in the 'Hero Cup' of Grand Prix mode.
SEGA Illusion
Get a gold in the 'Babylon Cup' of Grand Prix mode.
Gear
Blue Star II
Beat 'Hero Story.'
Magic Carpet
Beat 'Babylon Story.
Chaos Emerald
Beat 'Mission Mode' with complete gold ranks.
Modes
Mission Mode
Beat 'Hero Story.'
Babylon Cup
Beat 'Dark Desert' in 'Babylon Story.'
Mission Mode
Storm's Missions
Beat 'Hero Story.'
Wave's Missions
Beat 'Babylon Story.'
Jet's Missions
Beat all of Wave and Storm's missions.
Digital Dimension Missions
Unlock course 'Digital Dimension.'
Babylon Guardian Missions
Unlock course 'Babylon Guardian.'
SEGA Carnival Missions
Unlock course 'SEGA Carnival.'
SEGA Illusion Missions
Unlock course 'SEGA Illusion.'
Shop
Ability to buy Skates
Beat 'Hero Story.'
Ability to buy Bikes
Beat 'Babylon Story.'
Hang On
Beat 'Mission Mode.'
Super Hang On
Beat 'Mission Mode.'
The Crazy
Beat 'Mission Mode.'
Opa Opa
Beat 'Mission Mode.'
Trivia and Easter Eggs.
This game, while technically developed by "Sonic Team" actually comes from the part of Sonic Team that used to be United Game Artists, who developed Space Channel 5 (the game Ulala comes from), and Rez along with Feel the Magic: XY/XX, and The Rub Rabbits. UGA eventualy merged with Sonic Team.
Once again this Sonic game was critizied with the new voice actors from Sonic X by fans of the original voice cast from Sonic Adventure series and Sonic Heroes. Many of them have planned to boycott this game.
The air bike, Omnipotence maybe refering to The Omnipotent Omni-Viewer, from Sonic the Hedgehog from Fleetway comics
The Hero story contains six races; Babylon Gardens is the final Heroes story mode stage. Babylon's story contains 7, but the last race, Babylon Guardian, is played as Sonic.
When you are using Super Sonic he will start of with 30 rings, instead of the usual 50 in other games. Also, when you lose all your rings, Sonic only needs one ring to change back to Super Sonic again.
The inclusion of NiGHTS, Ulala and AiAi was confirmed very early on at The GHZ, although some denied their reliability.
The appearance of AiAi was officially confirmed by Nintendo Power magazine, however, many were in such disbelief, that they believed the report to be a mistake, and wanted to hear it from Sega and/or Sonic Team first.
The Babylon symbol is a "magic lamp" with wind markings around it as a reference to being decendants of "real genies".
If you listen closely to the beginning of the introduction movie, you can hear some of the SEGA Carnival music
When playing as Super Sonic, you ride Blue Star instead of just floating across the track with no board.
In real life, no bird species has teeth, but Jet, Wave, and Storm all have teeth.
In the Sega Carnival, when you are entering Crazy Taxi's city you may see a big sign telling you to turn right, but if you go in the small space (on the left) you can get a free ride in a taxi with a man named Axel. He drops you off near the finish line, and during replays you can see that Axel pushes a button on the Crazy Taxi, then flies away... literally.
In the Team Sonic opening, during Eggman's announcement, a city that appears to be "Central City" can be seen in some monitors behind him. Either that, or the monitors are actually windows.
When Eggman is talking to Sonic, Tails and Knuckles at the beginning, at the top right you can see a picture of Sonic running from the whale off Sonic Adventure. Also next to that is a picture of Sonic's artwork from Sonic Heroes.
When watching the story cutscene before the Babylon Guardian race, Amy Rose is wearing her normal red dress, but when the race starts, she is wearing her pink racing clothes.
E-10000R is said to be made using the engine parts of Metal Sonic. However, this is unconfirmed.
Despite the fact that E-10000G is a power character, in Story Mode, E-10000G is a speed character and E-10000R is a power character.
In the CG introduction to the Hero Story, the exhaust coming from the Type-S is green, as though Storm is at Level 1. After Sonic steals the board, the exhaust coming from the back is blue. Also, when Wave is using the Type-W, the exhaust is green, which changes to blue immediately when Storm grabs on.File:Sriders3.jpg
A sequel to Sonic Riders was announced by Takashi Yuda (the producer of Sonic Riders) to Eurogamer in an interview [2]; the game will appear on next-gen consoles, Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.
Rumors
In the same interview with Eurogamer that talks about the next-gen sequel, Yuda suggests that Sonic Riders may be ported to the PSP, but nothing has been decided yet.
In an interview with Nintendo Power, Yuda says he doesn't know much about the Nintendo Revolution; but based on what he does know, he believes that the system could bring Sonic Riders "to the next dimension" [3].
