Sonic Riders

Sonic Riders (2006)

by NOW Production, Sonic Team, Sega
Genres:Racing
Themes:Science fiction
Game modes:Single player, Split screen
Story:Sonic Riders is the fourth racing game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, preceded by Sonic Drift, Sonic Drift 2 and Sonic R. The game was released to start off the 15th anniversary of the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. For a short while, the Microsoft Xbox version of the game was released with a free Sonic X DVD. This game introduces five new playable characters, the Babylon Rogues and the E-10000 series. A sequel to Sonic Riders, entitled Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, was released in 2008 for the Wii and PlayStation 2, followed by the Kinect-required game Sonic Free Riders for the Xbox 360 in 2010. This was the last Sonic the Hedgehog game for the GameCube and Microsoft Xbox.Show more
user avatarAdded by @MarxCartoonee
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
3 408
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (16)
What’s your memory of Sonic Riders?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@donkdaddyuser avatar@donkdaddy
January 29, 2025
Against all odds, this 2006 Sonic airboarding spinoff still has a somewhat active tournament scene on PC, and the game was never released on any digital storefront. The game already has a PC port and an active modding scene, it just needs that availability push so people can finally experience it on modern hardware. There truly is no other game like Sonic Riders and its sequels, and it deserves to be preserved.
This game has a PC port and a shockingly large community. It's not my cup of tea, but it's a work of art that people put effort into. It deserves to be preserved, especially for younger Sonic fans.
It's my favorite racing game back in the PS". Nothing compares to the original and I would love to hear that it's available again. Definitely love the style and aesthetic of the character's design.
I really want this on GoG because a PC version ALREADY EXISTS, BUT ISN'T AVAILABLE OFFICALLY ANYMORE! Not to mention, even when you finally setup the weird dvd the game is made in a very old way, and can be a pain to use with modern controllers. Most of my gameplay is on an emulator, and modded versions, but it'd be great if a modern port could make better online, or even possibly expanding the modding with those who wouldn't normally be confident with emulation.
user avatar@Kobun42user avatar@Kobun42
January 30, 2025
Out of all the Sonic racing games that exist, Riders has been by far my favorite. I may have some nostalgia for it, but replaying it today it's still a ton of fun, especially since it's not exactly a Mario Kart clone like the Sonic Drift series or the Sonic and All-Stars series is. It's unique, fun, and was killed off too early because SEGA wanted to make a half-baked Kinect game (You know who you are, Free Riders)
user avatar@FontaXGuser avatar@FontaXG
January 31, 2025
When I was little, I used to watch my brother play this game on his WXP, it looked pretty weird, but entertaining (It ran at 10fps, according to my older brother) then years later I got to play it on the ps2, and it was the best racing game I've ever played, I still play it to this day, (not so legally) but if they made the pc version playable on modern pc's, it would be one of the best things in life.
user avatar@dracomageatuser avatar@dracomageat
February 03, 2025
I got this game when it came out and still have it to this day, though the console I played it on has long since worn out. Me and my sister would play it with everyone who'd try and it was such a fun and deep racing game that we put hundreds of hours into and still didn't find every trick, combination or unlockable. Truly iconic Sonic and the hoverboards and skates were such a fun, unique themeing for a racer that we've not seen much since.
user avatar@Anti_Pyro96user avatar@Anti_Pyro96
February 07, 2025
The only good thing to come out of Sonic the Hedgehog's 15th anniversary. This is one of the most interesting and fun racing games that isn't a Mario Kart ripoff. Sure it might be a little challenging for newcomers, but once you master the game, it is a lot of fun. This game and Zero Gravity are the best racing games in the Sonic Riders series. Please have this and Zero Gravity be re-released to modern hardware. These two games need to be preserved
user avatar@LandyRSuser avatar@LandyRS
January 31, 2025
Sonic Riders isn't the most well-designed racing game out there, but it's a fascinatingly technical attempt at breaking from your average kart racer gameplay. It's no surprise that the game has developed a cult following, and even a steady competitive scene, spawning several different overhaul mods that tune the mechanics and content in different ways from one another. Riders is fun, stylish, and scratches itches that haven't quite been reached by the Sonic racers that followed. Unfortunately, not only is Sonic Riders unavailable through legal means nowadays, but the PC port simply isn't great. Several graphical effects are absent or broken, multiplayer is limited to 2 players instead of 4, and numerous unofficial patches are required to get it up to speed on modern systems. While Riders itself has game design issues, such as the lack of a tutorial, and some mechanics being more obtuse than they should be, fixing those is likely outside of the scope for your average Sonic re-release. It would be more than enough to see this game receive engine-related fixes and tune-ups to make it cooperate better with the computers of today - especially, say, Steam Decks - and to play it in a form much closer to its original GameCube release.
user avatar@BenBitsYTuser avatar@BenBitsYT
February 02, 2025
I had this game on the PlayStation 2 when I was little and 100% completed everything in the game. The fact that it hasn't been ported to modern consoles yet is astonishing! If this game has online multiplayer, this is about to be incredible!
Those games also need your vote!
Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City
Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the CityAlthough this version of Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City shares its name with its counterparts, the game is completely different. Unlike the other versions there is no canyon racing or drift racing. The goal of the game is to build up a gang of the best racers and take over all the city's territories. The driving is all city-based similar to the open world of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The tuner culture/car customization features started in Need for Speed Underground are also present. There is a light story, presented as comic book style illustrations, that unfolds as the player take over territories and complete chapters.
Sandbox
Sandbox
251
1
Need for Speed: Payback
Need for Speed: Payback"This explosive adventure is filled with intense heist missions, high stakes car battles, epic cop pursuits and jaw dropping set pieces. It’s blockbuster gameplay never before seen from the series, fueled by a gripping story of betrayal and revenge. With Need for Speed: Payback, it’s no longer just about being the first to cross the finish line or racing to prove to be the best, it’s about building the perfect ride, getting behind the wheel and playing out an action driving fantasy. Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players will drive as three distinct characters reunited by a quest for vengeance against The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. They will take on a variety of challenges and events as Tyler, the Racer; Mac, the Showman; and Jess, the Wheelman to earn the respect of the underground. Featuring the deepest customization from the series, players can truly craft a personalized and unique ride, or spend hours finding and tuning an abandoned derelict into a supercar. They can then push their cars to the limit and raise the stakes by betting on their own performance, where they can either multiply their winnings or risk losing it all."
Open world
Action
Open world
Action
218
Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: UndergroundNeed for Speed: Underground is a 2003 racing video game and the seventh installment in the Need for Speed series. It rebooted the franchise, ignoring previous Need for Speed games that featured sports cars and exotics. Underground is the first game in the series to offer a career mode that features a comprehensive storyline, as well as a garage mode that allows players to fully customize their cars with a large variety of brand-name performance and visual upgrades.
3 927
9
Need for Speed: Collector's Series
Need for Speed: Collector's SeriesA package bundling Need for Speed: Underground, Need for Speed: Underground 2, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
482
Need for Speed: Underground Rivals
Need for Speed: Underground RivalsExperience the rush of high-octane street racing in Need for Speed Underground: Rivals. Customize your ride, push it to the limit, and dominate the underground racing scene. Race against fierce competitors and build your reputation as the ultimate street racer. With adrenaline-pumping gameplay and stunning graphics, immerse yourself in the heart-pounding world of urban racing like never before. Customize 20 tuner cars and race on 10 new circuit tracks. Eight modes including Drift Attack, and Rally Relay. Tune your ride performance and style. Special Features: Wireless and Party Play Multiplayer Modes EA Pocket TRAX Music Visualization Player
5 562
Need for Speed: Underground 2
Need for Speed: Underground 2Need For Speed Underground 2 takes place in Bayview after the events of Need for Speed: Underground. The prologue begins with the player driving in a Nissan Skyline R34 in Olympic City (though the racing scenes are actually in Bayview), the setting of NFS:UG. He then receives a race challenge from a rather ominous personality who offers him a spot on his crew, but "won't take 'no' for an answer." The player races off — despite Samantha's warnings — only to be ambushed by a mysterious driver in a rage that totals his Skyline. The driver, who has a unique scythe tattoo, makes a call confirming the accident, and the flashback fades out.
Action
Action
25 756
42
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most WantedNeed for Speed: Most Wanted takes on the gameplay style of the first Most Wanted title in the Need for Speed franchise. Most Wanted allows players to select one car and compete against other racers in three types of events: Sprint races, which involves traveling from one point of the city to another, Circuit races, each having two or three laps total and Speed runs, which involve traversing through a course in the highest average speed possible. There is also the Ambush races, which start with the player surrounded by cops and tasked to evade their pursuit as quickly as possible.
Open world
Action
Open world
Action
853
WRC Powerslide
WRC PowerslideWRC Powerslide is an arcade spin-off from the WRC rally simulation series by the same developer. It carries the official license for the cars, drivers and courses, and focuses entirely on an arcade rally experience with multiple cars on the track simultaneously, bumping into each other, a damage model with only visual effects and power-ups.
12
Need for Speed: Undercover
Need for Speed: UndercoverThe Need for Speed series got another dose of Hollywood magic with the release of Undercover. Take on jobs and compete in races to prove yourself as you infiltrate and take down an international crime syndicate. As you win each race, you’ll go deeper into the underworld web that rules Tri-City… and then tear it apart right under their noses. You make the calls, but don’t break your cover: inside the car or out of it, one mistake here could be your last.
Open world
Action
Open world
Action
1 088
2
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Need for Speed: Hot PursuitBecome Seacrest County's top cop or most wanted racer!
Action
Action
798