Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity builds upon the hoverboard-racing formula of its predecessor by introducing the innovative gravity mechanics that fundamentally change how you approach each track. By performing aerial tricks, drifting, and completing on-course challenges, players accumulate Gravity Points. These points can then be spent on Gravity Dive, which teleports you through a black hole for a massive speed boost, or on Gravity Control, allowing you to defy gravity and ride along walls or ceilings to access hidden shortcuts.

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The inclusion of Gravity Drift, a refinement of the Grip move from the original Sonic Riders, ensures tight cornering remains integral to maintaining top speed. Mastering the timing of each drift and dive feels rewarding, especially when you discover alternate routes through complex gravity-bending sections. The diverse lineup of vehicles—hoverboards, air skates, bikes, yachts, and specialty crafts—adds another layer of depth, since each vehicle type handles differently and offers unique advantages depending on the course layout.

Vehicle customization and on-the-fly upgrades further enrich the gameplay loop, rewarding players who experiment with different stat boosts and special gear. Whether you’re boosting your acceleration for a quick getaway or enhancing your Gravity Control for tackling vertical loops, the upgrade system keeps progression feeling meaningful. Additionally, the three new Survival modes—Survival, Survival Relay, and Survival Ball—provide refreshing diversions from standard racing, encouraging varied play styles and teamwork in local multiplayer.

Graphics

Zero Gravity’s visual presentation captures the high-octane spirit of the Sonic universe with vibrant color palettes and dynamic track designs. Each course is filled with eye-catching set pieces—soaring platforms, gravity-flipped tunnels, and sprawling cityscapes—that come alive when using the Gravity Dive and Control mechanics. The sense of speed is palpable, thanks to motion blur effects and smooth frame rates that rarely dip even during the most chaotic races.

The character and vehicle models are detailed and faithful to their Sonic lore counterparts, with expressive animations that punctuate tricks, crashes, and victory celebrations. Lighting effects play an important role, too: entering a gravity-altered zone triggers subtle shifts in color and bloom, reinforcing the sensation of warping through space. While textures can feel slightly dated by today’s standards, especially on handheld platforms, the overall aesthetic remains charming and memorable.

Track environments benefit from clever use of perspective and parallax scrolling to convey depth, making loops and half-pipes feel truly three-dimensional. The HUD is clean and unobtrusive, displaying essential information like speed, race position, and remaining Gravity Points without cluttering the screen. Minor pop-in can occur on sprawling courses populated with multiple racers, but it never significantly hampers gameplay or breaks immersion.

Story

Although Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is primarily a racing title, it weaves a concise narrative around the mysterious MeteorTech robots unleashed by four fallen meteorites. This plot serves as a fun backdrop for the proceedings, offering a reason for Team Sonic—and a host of other familiar faces—to compete in gravity-defying races around the globe. Cutscenes are brief but animated in the classic Sonic style, reinforcing each character’s personality without overstaying their welcome.

Each playable character belongs to one of three classes—Speed, Fly, or Power—and comes with personalized gear that nods to their individual strengths. Unlocking all eighteen characters adds a sense of discovery, as you unveil new dialogue exchanges and witness different reactions to the MeteorTech threat. While the storyline doesn’t delve deeply into lore, it delivers enough context to keep fans engaged and provides setup for the next game in the series.

Between races, lighthearted banter and a handful of plot twists maintain momentum without interrupting the core racing experience. The emphasis remains on action rather than drama, which suits the fast-paced gameplay and helps the title avoid feeling bogged down by overly complex narrative threads. For players seeking more than just head-to-head competition, these story elements elevate Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity beyond a simple arcade racer.

Overall Experience

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity stands out as one of the more inventive entries in the Sonic spinoff catalog, thanks largely to its gravity-based mechanics and diverse roster of vehicles. Races feel dynamic and unpredictable, encouraging repeated playthroughs to master each course’s secret pathways and optimize your use of Gravity Points. The survival-focused modes add variety and replay value, making multiplayer sessions especially entertaining for groups of friends.

While the graphical presentation may not break new ground, it perfectly complements the game’s emphasis on speed and spectacle. The soundtrack pulses with energetic beats that heighten the excitement of every race, and sound effects such as gravity warps and engine roars are satisfyingly punchy. Minor technical hiccups are overshadowed by the core racing experience, which consistently delivers thrills from start to finish.

For potential buyers, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity offers a well-rounded package: responsive controls, imaginative track design, and a wealth of unlockable content. Whether you’re a long-time Sonic fan or simply a racing enthusiast, the unique gravity mechanics and fast-paced action provide a fresh take on the genre. As a sequel, it not only refines what made the original Sonic Riders fun but also injects enough new ideas to feel like a genuine evolution.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10