Game: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Developer/Publisher: Sumo Digital/Sega
Genre: Kart Racing
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows, Mobile
Review Platform: PS3
Verdict: A fun, addicting kart-racing game that gives non-Nintendo owners the feel of Mario Kart.
Pros: A lot of characters, a lot of tracks, custom music tracks, cool power ups.
Cons: Slamming into barriers at high speeds sucks, very difficult to find an online match.
I
n the world of kart-racing games, Mario Kart is king. However, Mario Kart is limited Nintendo platforms; So, those of us who are not inclined toward said platforms do not regularly get to partake in Mario Kart’s greatness. There have been other kart games out there, not many of which have even come close to being as good as Mario Kart. After spending a solid week with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, I have to say that it comes very close.
First off, the cast of All-Stars Racing is excellent. Cast members do not only come from Sonic games, but other games in Sega’s rich library. Included are:
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Miles “Tales” Prower
- Shadow the Hedgehog
- Amy Rose
- AiAi
- Doctor Eggman
- Big the Cat
- Amigo
- Billy Hatcher
- Knuckles
- Banjo and Kazooie
- Opa-Opa
- Robo and Mobo
- Chuith, ChuBei, ChuPea and ChuBach
- Alex Kidd
- Ryo Hazuki
- Jacki Bryant and Akira Yuki
- B. D. Joe
- Zobio and Zobiko
- Ulala and Beat
These characters come from games such as Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, and The House of the Dead, amongst others. In addition to characters form these games, the tracks are also levels from these games, and the music tracks are from the soundtracks of these games.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a lot of fun to play. The handling of the karts is spot on. The only issue I ever had was with sharp turns. I almost always slammed up against a wall at high speeds, which damages you. However, I’m thinking that it is probably more operator error than a gameplay issue. All of the gameplay staples are there. Characters collect items to use as weapons (everything from bombs to homing rockets), which can be released ahead of or behind the character. There is also an all-star power up, which is different for each character. This power up is meant for racers who are trailing the pack, and is a way for them to push ahead. I have not had each character’s power up yet, but my favorite so far is Sonic’s. He turns into gold Sonic and dashes ahead at super speeds. Drifts earn mini-turbo boosts, and longer drifts earn better boosts. Most maps have obstructions to avoid, such as non-racing cars, shambling zombies, or a robot factory line.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing offers both a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode. Single-player mode consists of a Grand Prix, a single race, Time Trials, and Missions. The first three sound just as they are. There is no real change to the formula there. The mission mode places you in the seat of a driver with a specific purpose. For example, a rival race requires you to catch that characters rival before he makes it to the finish line, whereas a drift mission requires you to drift as much as possible. These missions are graded from F to AAA.
The multiplayer mode looks fun, but I was only able to experience the split-screen portion as I was unable to get into an online match. I did manage to get into the lobby of one, but the other four players were all friends and they kicked me before the game began. Nevertheless, the split-screen mode can have up to four players in anything from a straight race to an arena battle.
The game looks and sounds great. Actually, given the simple fact that it is on high-definition platforms, I think it looks better than Mario Kart ever has. The tracks are all very colorful and perfectly fit their parent games. Participating in a kart race down Roulette Road from the Sonic games is a childhood dream come true. As mentioned, the music in the game comes from the parent games, meaning that the soundtrack rocks, and the sound effects are what one would expect in such a game.
The big test for these games is the kid factor, and lucky for you all I have three kids. For the past two months they have been glued (for the meager amount of time we let them play) to Left4Dead 2. However, since the day that Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing arrived, they have not even looked at Left4 Dead 2. In my estimation, based on their rabid fanaticism, I would have to say that it passes the kid factor quite well.
For the measly $49.99 ($39.99 for Wii, DS, and PC) that retailers are asking for this game, I think it is a steal. If you have friends or family who like to play these kinds of game, there is literally an unlimited amount of gameplay you can get out of it. It may be called a Mario Kart clone, but clones aren’t always bad. Just ask any 15 year old girl what she would do with an Edward Cullen clone.
Popularity: unranked [?]
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