Metacritic Games

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (Playstation 2)

The Sonic Riders series returns with a whole new form of chaotic racing by manipulating gravity itself! These gravity-altering powers can transform walls into tracks, or create a "black hole" that sucks you through for the ultimate speed boost, and allows for an entirely new way to gain a leg up on your competitors. From illuminated highways in a bustling metropolis to the outer reaches of space, you will race at the speed of light on 16 dynamic courses. Sixty different vehicles allow you to grind rails and pull off daring tricks on futuristic tracks, including solar loop-de-loops, height-defying vertical drops and tons of other edge-of-your-seat moves. As Sonic or one of 18 colorful characters, you will compete with up to three friends at heart-stopping speeds in three exciting multiplayer modes. With all the action, speed, and addictive gameplay that only Sonic can deliver, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is set for hyper-drive. [Sega]

Sega
Racing, Action
Players: 4
E (Everyone)
Developer: Sonic Team
Released January 8, 2008

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

56 / 100

Critic Reviews

85 Game Chronicles
If you are a diehard Sonic fan or someone just looking for a fun racer, look no farther that Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity.
78 Gamers' Temple
The Blue Blur and his friends come together for another racing game and the result plays out rather well and brings along new gravity moves available to each character but Zero Gravity is not without its problems.
75 Worth Playing
It's fast, it's fun, it has a comprehensible plot and it manages to go through an entire game with no Shadow.
72 Cheat Code Central
It's a new and improved Sonic Riders with plenty of new tracks and characters to enjoy. It's a must-have for Sonic fans and a "might-enjoy" for aces of the racing genre, especially for those who like F-Zero and Wipeout.
70 Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
As a straight kart racer, Zero Gravity performs well. There's just not enough depth and content here to propel it higher. [Mar 2008, p.76]
64 PSX Extreme
Sega hasn't managed to deliver a truly solid title featuring the fleet-footed blue streak in quite some time, and they don't break that unfortunate streak with Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. C'mon guys, let's ramp up the effort for a video game icon!
60 PALGN
While certainly not a bad game, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity simply lacks refinement in a few key areas. The controls need to be tighter, and the gear change system could better implemented. Unless you’re a Sonic fan or enjoyed the first game, you need not apply.
58 IGN
There’s no denying the entertainment that could come from a blazing fast Sonic racing title, but the Riders franchise has tried twice, and both times failed to deliver solid control and a true sense of speed.
55 1UP
The controls -- namely character acceleration -- feel awkward and counterintuitive, as you're forced to hold forward on the left stick to accelerate while also trying to steer your character. The tracks are a mishmash of right angle turns and jumps that sometimes lead you down random paths, necessitating several playthroughs of each just find your way around the track.
55 GameZone
Zero Gravity is a large step behind the first Sonic Riders and it’s still a flawed racing title that makes this a Sonic game fans of the loveable blue hedgehog should skip altogether.
50 GameSpot
The game's overall lack of content makes it one of the last things you'd want to spend 40 bucks on. Even though it manages to capture the occasional burst of Sonic speed, there isn't enough content in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity to keep you entertained for more than two or three laps.
50 GameDaily
Awful controls, however, ruin the experience.
44 PSM3 Magazine UK
Despite the variety and potential, at its core Zero Gravity is glitchy and little fun. [Apr 2008, p.82]
40 Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
One small mistake will leave you eating robbot dust. That's just not the Sonic we used to know and love. [Apr 2008, p.87]
40 Playstation Official Magazine UK
It takes a decent idea, then tries to compensate for its unpredictable framerate with grinding and shooting and powerslides that just make it a confusing mess. [Apr 2008, p.112]
40 Games Radar
Zero Gravity sometimes feels like your racing skill doesn’t matter as much as your ability to spot new, cooler ways to get through the tracks; it’s still fun to do, but once you’ve mastered a track there’s little reason to go back to it.

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