Sonic R
Encyclopedia
Sonic R is a racing game
developed
by Traveller's Tales
and Sonic Team
for the Sega Saturn
and PC
, the latter version being ported
to the GameCube
and the PlayStation 2
in Sonic Gems Collection. It features characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It contains 3D
graphics
combined with an upbeat dance soundtrack
by Richard Jacques
.
, but most characters have the ability to jump, adding platforming to the mix. In addition, each of the ten playable characters has a different speed and a unique set of abilities. The abilities are in line the respective character usual abilities, such as Sonic having a faster speed or Knuckles being able to glide.
Also like other Sonic games, racers collect rings. There are speed boosts that consume up to 50 of a player's rings, but boost the player ahead along a preset path.
Also, special doors on the tracks open only if a player reaches them with twenty or fifty rings, depending on the number on the door. The doors often contain important items or shortcuts on the course.
Touching an emblem gives the racer one of multiple possible items, similar to ones seen in past Sonic games like Sonic the Hedgehog 3
and Sonic & Knuckles
. Items include a random number of rings, power sneakers which provide a speed boost, a water shield that allows characters to run on water, and lightning shields that attract nearby rings.
Hidden in the first four tracks are five tokens with Sonic's face printed on. If these are collected and the race is finished in at least third position, the player will have the chance to unlock a new character by facing them in a one-on-one race. Seven Chaos Emeralds are also hidden within the first four tracks. The player must finish in first after finding them in order to obtain one. Collecting all seven will result in Super Sonic becoming playable.
Aside from the main game, there are three special gameplay modes accessible from Time Attack mode: reverse, in which racing occurs facing the opposite direction, break five balloons, and tag four players.
's limited draw distance.
There are at least four PC versions released. The Activision
release does not require the network patch, but does not include CD Audio tracks. The SoftKey
version was released in 2000 for Windows. The ValuSoft version has corrected some glitches and includes native support for Windows XP, and is identified in the credits as "Sonic R 2004". The version of the game included in Sonic Gems Collection is similar to the PC version due to its inclusion of weather effects, but there are no options for network play, 3D graphics, or draw distance. The PC version of the game also had a limited release on GameTap
in 2007.
has suddenly taken over the world and Gestapo
mice
are forcing you to smile all the time") and the "wily and inexact" controls. The game was also known for its similarities to Mario Kart 64
, which raised criticism to most reviewers and calling it a "Mario Kart 64 knock-off".
Racing game
A racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
by Traveller's Tales
Traveller's Tales
Traveller's Tales is an English software house founded in 1989 and fully established in 1990 and based in Knutsford, Cheshire.It is part of the TT Games group—after the merger of publisher Giant Interactive and the developer Traveller's Tales—along with TT Games Publishing...
and Sonic Team
Sonic Team
is a Japanese computer and video game developer established in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan in 1990, originally known as Sega AM8. The Japan-based division is also known as G.E. Department Global Entertainment. The studio has collaborated with several in-house Japanese studios as well as other American-based...
for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
and PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, the latter version being ported
Porting
In computer science, porting is the process of adapting software so that an executable program can be created for a computing environment that is different from the one for which it was originally designed...
to the GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
and the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in Sonic Gems Collection. It features characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It contains 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
combined with an upbeat dance soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
by Richard Jacques
Richard Jacques
Richard Jacques is a British music composer. He is best known for his video game music, most notably for numerous video games created by Sega.-Early life:...
.
Gameplay
Five characters at a time race to cross the finish line first. The game is similar to cart racing games such as Mario KartMario Kart
is a series of go-kart-style racing video games developed by Nintendo as a series of spin-offs from its trademark Mario series of platformer adventure-style video games...
, but most characters have the ability to jump, adding platforming to the mix. In addition, each of the ten playable characters has a different speed and a unique set of abilities. The abilities are in line the respective character usual abilities, such as Sonic having a faster speed or Knuckles being able to glide.
Also like other Sonic games, racers collect rings. There are speed boosts that consume up to 50 of a player's rings, but boost the player ahead along a preset path.
Also, special doors on the tracks open only if a player reaches them with twenty or fifty rings, depending on the number on the door. The doors often contain important items or shortcuts on the course.
Touching an emblem gives the racer one of multiple possible items, similar to ones seen in past Sonic games like Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
and Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States at Sega Technical Institute by members of Sonic Team, and was published by Sega worldwide on October 18, 1994.As well as working as a standalone...
. Items include a random number of rings, power sneakers which provide a speed boost, a water shield that allows characters to run on water, and lightning shields that attract nearby rings.
Hidden in the first four tracks are five tokens with Sonic's face printed on. If these are collected and the race is finished in at least third position, the player will have the chance to unlock a new character by facing them in a one-on-one race. Seven Chaos Emeralds are also hidden within the first four tracks. The player must finish in first after finding them in order to obtain one. Collecting all seven will result in Super Sonic becoming playable.
Aside from the main game, there are three special gameplay modes accessible from Time Attack mode: reverse, in which racing occurs facing the opposite direction, break five balloons, and tag four players.
Development
Sonic R uses an engine described as "12 layer transparency" that makes distant textures transparent to disguise the Sega SaturnSega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
's limited draw distance.
Release
The original version of the game was released for the Sega Saturn. The PC versions graphics were somewhat modified to allow for more detail. For example, races occur in random weather conditions, either normal, rainy, or snowy, unless the default settings are altered. Snowy weather freezes the water so that racers can run across it without sinking. The PC versions also allow one to select between software rendering and 3D acceleration. Also, a Draw Distance option is available, affecting how soon objects in the distance are visible. This affects the processing power needed to play the game; the sooner the graphics are rendered, the more processing power it takes.There are at least four PC versions released. The Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
release does not require the network patch, but does not include CD Audio tracks. The SoftKey
SoftKey
SoftKey International was a publisher and distributor of CD-ROM based personal computer software for Windows and Macintosh computers during the 1990s. Their products typically consisted of software intended for home audiences, especially compilation discs containing various freeware or shareware...
version was released in 2000 for Windows. The ValuSoft version has corrected some glitches and includes native support for Windows XP, and is identified in the credits as "Sonic R 2004". The version of the game included in Sonic Gems Collection is similar to the PC version due to its inclusion of weather effects, but there are no options for network play, 3D graphics, or draw distance. The PC version of the game also had a limited release on GameTap
GameTap
GameTap is an American online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System . Dubbed by TBS as a "first of its kind broadband gaming network", the service provides users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content...
in 2007.
Reception
Both versions of Sonic R received mixed to poor reviews from critics. Peter Suciu of GamePro concluded that "despite the range of characters and numerous race options, Sonic R doesn't offer enough varied gameplay in the races, and loses its appeal quickly." Ryan MacDonald of GameSpot commented positively on the graphics and audio, but said that the game is "so short that you'll probably finish it the day you rent it." Game Revolution noted that the game was "a little different" from normal racing games, but was highly critical of the music (remarking that "With lyrics like 'Can you feel the sunshine brighten up your day,' you feel like DisneyThe Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
has suddenly taken over the world and Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
mice
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
are forcing you to smile all the time") and the "wily and inexact" controls. The game was also known for its similarities to Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64
is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the second installment in the Mario Kart series. It was released in 1996 in Japan and in 1997 in North America and Europe. In January 2007, Mario Kart 64 was released on Nintendo's Virtual Console service for the Wii...
, which raised criticism to most reviewers and calling it a "Mario Kart 64 knock-off".