Summary

Release Year: 2008
Genres: Racing, Sport
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Wii
Developers: Sonic Team
Publishers: Sega

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity: A Gravity-Defying Racing Adventure

Prepare yourself for an exhilarating ride as we delve into the high-octane world of Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, a futuristic hoverboard racing game that takes the Sonic franchise to new heights. Released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 and Wii, Zero Gravity is the second installment in the Sonic Riders trilogy and introduces innovative gameplay mechanics that revolutionize the racing experience.

Story and Characters

The story of Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity revolves around a new villain named Babylon Rogues, a thieving trio led by Jet the Hawk. The Rogues seek to steal the Chaos Emeralds and use their power to conquer the world. Sonic and his friends must once again team up to stop the Rogues and save the day.

Players can choose to race as one of 18 characters, each with their own unique abilities and hoverboard. The roster includes familiar faces from the Sonic series, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose, as well as new characters like Jet, Wave the Swallow, and Storm the Albatross.

Gameplay

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity retains the core gameplay mechanics of its predecessor, with players racing on hoverboards called “Extreme Gear” through vibrant and futuristic tracks. However, Zero Gravity introduces a revolutionary new gameplay system based around gravity.

During the race, performing tricks and other actions will increase a character’s Gravity Points, or GP. If players have accrued enough GP by the time they enter certain areas of the track, they will enter a Zero-Gravity Zone.

Within a Zero-Gravity Zone, players can perform one of two maneuvers:

Gravity Dive: Creates a small black hole that points gravity forward down the track, giving the player a powerful free-fall boost that is further augmented by striking objects in the vicinity that the hole displaces, such as cars or signs.
Gravity Control: Alters the gravity of the course, allowing players to reach otherwise-inaccessible areas and shortcuts.

Players can also use Gravity Drift to more easily maneuver around sharp corners.

Tracks and Modes

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity features a diverse selection of tracks, each with its own unique challenges and obstacles. From the neon-lit cityscape of Babylon Garden to the treacherous slopes of Radical Highway, there’s a track to suit every player’s style.

The game offers a variety of modes, including:

Grand Prix: Race against AI opponents in a series of tracks to earn points and unlock new characters and boards.
Mission Mode: Complete specific objectives on each track, such as collecting rings or defeating enemies.
Time Attack: Race against the clock to set the fastest possible time on each track.
Battle: Engage in head-to-head races with up to four players.

Graphics and Sound

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity boasts impressive graphics for its time, with vibrant colors, detailed textures, and smooth animations. The tracks are visually stunning, with a variety of environments and obstacles to keep players engaged.

The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of upbeat electronic music and catchy vocal tracks. The sound effects are also top-notch, with realistic engine noises and the satisfying sound of hoverboards grinding against the track.

Reception

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity received generally positive reviews upon release. Critics praised the game’s innovative gravity-based gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy soundtrack. However, some criticized the game’s short length and lack of online multiplayer.

Despite these minor criticisms, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is a solid racing game that offers a unique and exhilarating experience. Its innovative gravity mechanics, diverse tracks, and memorable characters make it a worthwhile addition to any Sonic fan’s collection.

Legacy

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity was followed by a sequel, Sonic Free Riders, which was released exclusively for the Xbox 360 in 2010. Sonic Free Riders introduced motion controls, but was met with mixed reviews and failed to live up to the success of its predecessor.

The Sonic Riders series has remained dormant since the release of Sonic Free Riders, but the games continue to be enjoyed by fans of the Sonic franchise and racing games alike. Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity remains a standout entry in the series, thanks to its innovative gameplay, colorful characters, and fast-paced action.