Sonic Rivals

 PSP
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 16, 2006
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
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  1. Pure Magazine UK
    80
    Fast-paced action and plenty of challenge make for a really fun title. [Jan 2007, p.72]
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  2. Games Master UK
    79
    Fast and furious and good old-fashioned Sonic fun, for all its faults. It looks splendid, too, with perspective changes and all manner of background detail. [Christmas 2006, p.58]
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  3. IGN
    74
    It mixes snazzy visuals with a good sense of speed, so there's little doubt hardcore Sonic fans will find a lot to like. Plus, it has a rewarding multiplayer mode and wager system, which only adds to the experience.
  5. GameTrailers
    72
    Sonic Rivals runs a fairly solid race, but it’s running in circles around a limited amount of content.
  6. GameSpy
    70
    A fun but shallow game. The graphics and speed-based level design are great, but the game's short length and lack of truly compelling replay value are cause for hesitation.
  7. GamesRadar+
    70
    As the name suggests, Rivals plays well against a friend. Racing the computer is cool, but costing your bud the race with a last-minute cheap shot is a whole lot better.
  8. Yahoo!
    70
    Sonic Rivals feels a little like a mini-game to a bigger game. We expected more content than this. The cards are utterly useless in their attempt to milk replay out of the title, and seemed thrown in at the last minute.
  9. PALGN
    70
    Sonic Rivals focuses on the speed of Sonic, there is never a dull moment.
  10. Play UK
    70
    Holding right on the D-pad just gets boring before long. And why's Sonic gone and got all rude? [Issue #147, p.82]
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  11. VideoGamer
    70
    Outside of the odd frustrating stage, the only criticism I have of Sonic Rivals is its brevity.
  12. Eurogamer
    70
    Sonic Rivals still stands head and shoulders over other recent efforts in the franchise - and, indeed, over many other recent PSP titles - simply because the game at the heart of it all is downright fun.
  13. GameBrink
    69
    Take one part Sonic, add in one part racing, mix with two parts cheap deaths, and you’ve got Sonic Rivals. Fans may like it but I think most should steer clear.
  14. GameSpot
    69
    Sonic Rivals keeps it simple and offers plenty of high-speed thrills, though it also has its share of frustrating moments.
  15. Game Informer
    68
    The base gameplay is decent, although the inclusion of power-up attacks and platforming obstacles only serves to muddle the experience, making success feel more like a matter of blind luck than skill.
  16. GamePro
    65
    The game is easy to pick up and great to look at, but there's little to it.
  17. PSM3 Magazine UK
    65
    Often good fun, but the fudged Rivals idea kicks the purity of standard Sonic quare in the onions. [Christmas 2006, p.91]
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  18. Worth Playing
    65
    Unfortunately, it brings little to the table beyond sheer speed and smacks soundly of the "battle" mode we spent many a day playing back in the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 era.
  19. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    63
    A series of unlockable wardrobe items do little to massage the questionable value for money factor of what is ultimately a short game that puts an interesting, er, ‘spin’, on the classic Sonic gameplay, yet fails to live up to such past successes.
  20. PSM Magazine
    60
    It's a blast in short bursts with buddies, but otherwise gets old fast. [Jan. 2007, p.86]
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  21. games(TM)
    60
    You could do far worse than invest in a copy of Sonic Rivals, and a nice foundation has been laid for a sequel to eradicate the cracks present here. [Jan 2007, p.99]
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  22. DarkStation
    60
    Sega tries to breathe new life into the stale Sonic franchise with this racer, but sadly forgot to rev up the overly simplistic gameplay and slim selection of modes and characters.
  23. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    50
    Once the glow of nostalgia has faded, the fact that the gameplay is predictable and unfair can't be ignored. Disappointing. [Christmas 2006, p.101]
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  24. Gaming Age
    50
    Sonic Rivals pulls it together pretty well, but the game feels more like a mini-game than a fully fleshed out product. Overall, Sonic Rivals is unfortunately too short, and the concept is too simple, to hold the interest of most gamers for very long.
  25. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    40
    It's like an old-school Sonic game minus anything that made those games good. [Jan. 2007, p.106]
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  26. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    30
    Welcome to Sonic Hell, where it feels like you're stuck in Rome and some gladiator prisoner that is being forced to compete mercilessly non-stop with other combatants. [Jan. 2007, p.91]
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Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best PSP Game of 2006
17
#17 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2006
57
#57 Most Shared PSP Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 72
  3. Negative: 6 out of 72
  1. Untitled94
    Dec 15, 2016
    6
    Sonic Rivals is Ok, but I feel like it could've been better with the PSP. It honestly feels like it could've been a DS title, rather thanSonic Rivals is Ok, but I feel like it could've been better with the PSP. It honestly feels like it could've been a DS title, rather than being on a more power system. It plays well enough, and the idea of having a rival even in the boss battles was a cool idea. Overall, there's much better Sonic games, but this one's Ok.… Full Review »
  2. 4you7reviews
    Feb 1, 2014
    8
    Sonic Rivals is a 2.5D racing game. It is really good for 2006 Sonic game. and for a PSP game is still good. The story is very basic. You playSonic Rivals is a 2.5D racing game. It is really good for 2006 Sonic game. and for a PSP game is still good. The story is very basic. You play as Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, Sliver, and beat all the stories, Metal Sonic. You play the game left to right with a opponent, hinting the name Rivals. There's power ups you could get. The power ups are basic, but it gets the job done. A special power you could get make every character different. The whole point of the game is card collecting. This is the replayability of the game. Is fun collecting all the card. Plus every three cards, you could unlock a piece of clothing is a great reward. But you will get a card you already have. So is base in luck. I never try online card trading because I not sure I will find anyone. You could get this game in PSVITA(PSN). I say get it if you interest.… Full Review »
  3. Nin10DoDiegoRev
    Jul 30, 2012
    10
    The game is insanely fun it makes me play this more than 5 hrs! The fastest time to ever complete this game is about 14 hrs possible! TheThe game is insanely fun it makes me play this more than 5 hrs! The fastest time to ever complete this game is about 14 hrs possible! The worlds longest PSP game ever! Multiplayer adds more entertainment, trading and swapping cards with your friends', and more!… Full Review »
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