Sonic R

Description

Sonic R is the only wholly original Sonic title for the Saturn, co‑developed by Traveller’s Tales and Sonic Team. It was the first in the series to feature fully 3D‑rendered race tracks. The premise is simple: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Dr. Robotnik enter the “World Grand Prix” but hidden along the five themed courses are Chaos Emeralds and Sonic Tokens, which can unlock secret racers like Metal Knuckles, EggRobo, and the quite hilarious Tails Doll.

Unlike kart racers, most characters run on foot, using jumps, glides, or flight to navigate branching paths, vertical shortcuts, and environmental hazards. Rings scattered across the track aren’t for health but operate as currency to open gates or activate speed pads. The game offers Grand Prix, Time Attack, and two‑player split‑screen modes, with the Saturn’s 3D Control Pad supported for analog steering. Its soundtrack by Richard Jacques, including the enduring “Super Sonic Racing,” became a cult favourite despite dividing opinion at launch. At the time it was good to have any 3D Sonic game and Sonic R provided pretty graphics and an enticing premise, although suffered from loose controls and had only a limited number of courses.