Sonic R

About Sonic R

Sonic R (1997) is the Saturn's only original Sonic game, a 3D on-foot racer by Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team that rewards exploration and is remembered for Richard Jacques's divisive vocal soundtrack.

Sonic R in Depth

Ten Sonic characters race to stop Doctor Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds and enslaving the world. Players choose a character and run footraces on five tracks, against the clock and the other racers, in single-player and multiplayer modes. Four characters are available at first and six more are unlocked by completing objectives. Although compared to kart racers like Mario Kart, it emphasises jumping and exploration, with multiple paths and hidden areas on every track. The original tracks are themed on classic Sonic stages such as Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone, and can be raced in reverse.

Rings can be spent on a temporary speed boost or to open doors to shortcuts and special items, and Item Panels give random advantages such as speed or shields that let a racer run on water or attract rings. Collecting five hidden Sonic tokens on a track and placing in the race allows a challenge against a secret character, who is unlocked if beaten, and Chaos Emeralds hidden on the tracks are won by finding them and finishing first. Its visuals were its strongest point: Next Generation called it "the most visually outstanding Saturn title" for its transparency and reflections, and critics praised its rarely faltering frame rate, while its controls, difficulty and short length were criticised.

Making Sonic R

After Sonic 3D Blast, Sega asked Traveller's Tales, which had a 3D engine without a clear purpose, to make a Sonic racer; development began in February 1997 as a joint project with Sonic Team and took nine months on a tight schedule. Sonic Team designed the tracks and the game's flow while Traveller's Tales implemented and programmed them with a custom engine built for the Saturn. Richard Jacques composed the soundtrack, which polarised players as either catchy and well produced or out of place. Released for the Saturn in late 1997 and Windows in 1998, it received mixed reviews, averaging 69 per cent, and retrospective views have been more negative. It reappeared in Sonic Gems Collection in 2005.