Sonic Riders is a 2006 racing video game for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in which the player controls characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series on hoverboards. In the game's 16 tracks, the player competes against characters—either controlled by computers or other players—in story and battle modes. It was developed by Sonic Team and Now Production, published by Sega, and released in February 2006 in Japan and North America. It was released in Europe the following month and for Windows at the end of the year. A Game Boy Advance version developed by Backbone Entertainment was canceled. The game was produced in commemoration of the Sonic series' 15th anniversary and was the first Sonic racing game since the 1997 Traveller's Tales game Sonic R. Sonic Team wanted to make their own game that was superior to any previous Sonic racing game. It was designed to appeal to fans of Sonic as well as extreme sports video games; the development team did not take inspiration from any prior games. Sonic Riders was also the last Sonic title produced with the involvement of franchise co-creator Yuji Naka, who acted as executive producer and left Sega shortly after its release. Sonic Riders was released to mixed reviews from critics, but was a commercial success and was later re-released under the GameCube and PlayStation 2 bestseller lines. Reviewers mostly criticized the gameplay, controls, and overall design; while praise was directed at the game's visual style, soundtrack and sense of speed while racing. Many deemed it a lackluster game—both within the Sonic franchise and the racing game medium—that did have its highlights but ultimately fell to its shortcomings. The game received two sequels, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008) and Sonic Free Riders (2010), which were developed and released to similar commercial success.
In the hyper-policed, sterile metropolis of Vector City, a totalitarian regime known as the Vector United Authority (VUA) rules with an iron fist. Led by the charismatic but corrupt Director Gordon Vane, the "rotten adults" of the city are systematically siphoning the city's underground Ley Line energy, draining the vibrant culture, memories, and very souls out of historic neighborhoods and transforming them into lifeless, grey corporate blocks. Zack Ridge, a normal 16-year-old high school kid just trying to survive his classes and get home to his loving parents. Zack's life is completely shattered when Director Vane personally frames him for a brutal assault he didn't commit, using the VUA's absolute media gaslighting networks to broadcast his face citywide as a dangerous delinquent. On the run from the hyper-aggressive Paranormal Police and automated H.O.U.N.D. Drones, Zack is rescued by Professor Sprocket Locke, an old-school, eccentric mechanic who runs a neighborhood parcel shop called Sprocket Express as a secret front for an underground rebellion. Recognizing the fire and defiance in the kia, Sprocket clamps a blocky, industrial prototype onto Zack's arm: The Spectral Gauntlet. Powered by Zack's internal fury, the gauntlet taps into the city's supernatural currents, supercharging his Vector-Drive Inline Skates with physics-defying speed and kinetic energy. Joined by his fast-talking, comic-relief best friend Felix "Flea" Greene and a cool, mysterious Japanese transfer student named Haruka "Haru" Sakamori, they officially form The Ground-Line Riot. Operating right under the noses of the corrupt adults, the crew takes on high-stakes, high-velocity delivery runs for Sprocket Express to smuggle vital data and rebel tech. By mastering supersonic rail-grinds, wall-rides off skyscrapers, and momentum-fueled kinetic strikes, these rebellious kids are determined to shatter the VUA's monochrome illusions, restore the vibrant color to their streets, and put an end to Director Vane's oppressive machine once and for all!
