Sonic Free Riders

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2010
Metascore
47

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 52
  3. Negative: 27 out of 52
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  1. Impulsegamer
    Dec 21, 2010
    70
    For a first generation Kinect game, Sonic Free Riders definitely gives the gaming community an interesting premise. Even though the Kinect is a glorified EyeToy for XBox 360, SEGA have managed to successfully capture the Sonic franchise, turn it into a racer and more importantly, a controller free racer.
  2. NZGamer
    Jan 18, 2011
    66
    Sonic Free Riders might look like just another board racing Kinect game, but it's a league above others like CrossBoard 7 in terms of depth and replayability.
  3. Digital Chumps
    Dec 21, 2010
    66
    I was both impressed and discouraged with Sonic Free Riders. On one hand, it's a more interesting and deeper game than I expected with some great courses and gameplay elements. On the other hand, the darn controls are too finicky to make this a consistently enjoyable game.
  5. MondoXbox
    Jan 4, 2011
    65
    Sonic Free Riders feels like a rushed game: it's got a great potential and looks like one of the deepest games in the Kinect launch line-up, but all is compromised bye e very imprecise Kinect support, not on par with other games seen so far. Too bad the developers didn't have more time to improve this only, but essential, aspect.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Dec 22, 2010
    65
    Sonic Free Riders is probably the most complex Kinect title to date. Its lack of polish doesn't help it in shining on the shelves, but it's still the most hardcore experience you may have with Microsoft new peripheral.
  7. Meristation
    Jan 9, 2011
    60
    Sonic is back and features high speed and a good ammount of unlockables. Unfortunately, the controls doesn't respond properly sometimes, conforming an experience less enjoyable than we would like.
  8. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jan 6, 2011
    60
    Sonic Free Riders can be fun under the right circumstances, and kids will probably enjoy it, but it's mostly just another irrelevant speed bump on Sonic's journeys throughout the world.
  9. TeamXbox
    Dec 22, 2010
    60
    Sonic Free Riders offers a decent amount of content with an intriguing control premise.
  10. ZTGD
    Dec 22, 2010
    60
    The track design is superb and there really is an amazing game buried underneath the problematic controls. It is a shame that most people will never be able to experience it due to frustration.
  11. Da Gameboyz
    Dec 21, 2010
    60
    Overall, Sonic: Free Riders is game that could have used a few more months in the shop to fine tune some of the controls and the responsiveness of such.
  12. Worth Playing
    Dec 21, 2010
    60
    Sonic Free Riders would have been a decent, if not exciting, racing title for the Kinect had it not been plagued by a bad turning system.
  13. Console Monster
    Dec 21, 2010
    60
    To conclude, Sonic: Free Riders makes a good launch title for Kinect, utilizing it well, though you can't help but feel more could have been done with the technology. Whilst it initially lacks in content, this is a game for those casual racing fans that aren't looking for anything overly intense.
  14. Game Informer
    Dec 21, 2010
    58
    "Quotation Forthcoming"
    All this publication's reviews
  15. MEGamers
    Jan 2, 2011
    56
    An unimpressive game that lacks any real charm.
  16. XGN
    Jan 7, 2011
    55
    Sonic Free Riders could have been a good game were it not for the complicated controls and the weak campaign mode. It's best for Sonic to throw away the hoverboard and keep using those fast legs of him.
  17. Vandal
    Jan 3, 2011
    55
    The game will be too complicated for most of the people, but those willing to give it more than one chance may ultimately enjoy it.
  18. 3DJuegos
    Dec 22, 2010
    55
    Sonic and friends don't feel very well on Kinect.
  19. GamingXP
    Jan 3, 2011
    52
    The game menu likely was created by a fully fledged sadist, and even worse, the handling of the game creates an immersive halo effect of fail. This game could have been so much been better, but it isn't. Hands off!
  20. Planet Xbox 360
    Dec 22, 2010
    50
    Its presentation goes the distance, but the cruddy gameplay and unbalanced AI keep this ride firmly grounded. Get your cruising kicks elsewhere.
  21. My Gamer
    Dec 21, 2010
    50
    Sonic Free Riders is the Mario Kart of Kinect, but the unresponsive control scheme will have players aching for a standard controller. If you have the patience to deal with the laggy control scheme, you will find that there is a decent amount of content in Free Riders; too bad most players won't ever want to see it.
  22. RealGamer
    Dec 21, 2010
    50
    Sonic Free Riders serves up a rather disappointing playing experience and everything it gets right is pulled down by the clumsy and sluggish controls that do nothing other than make it feel like you're not in control. Despite initial optimism and potential this is one of the weaker Kinect launch titles.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010
38
#38 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
2.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 156
  3. Negative: 119 out of 156
  1. FlippySuper
    Sep 23, 2012
    0
    BROKEN!!THIS GAME IS BROKEN!!!IS JUST A PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!A HORRIBLE PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!!!!!! THIS IS ABROKEN!!THIS GAME IS BROKEN!!!IS JUST A PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!A HORRIBLE PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!!!!!! THIS IS A ****************************************************************!!!!THIS SUCKS MORE THAN NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!… Full Review »
  2. Vesker
    Apr 12, 2012
    0
    This is by FAR, the WORST Sonic game EVER CREATED!
    The Menu! The fukin MENUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Is pure Garbage!
    There are voice commands... But    This is by FAR, the WORST Sonic game EVER CREATED!
    The Menu! The fukin MENUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Is pure Garbage!
    There are voice commands... But they dont even display them until you have it selected!
    What are we supposed to DO?! MEMORIZE THEM?!    … Full Review »
  3. WolfyTP
    Mar 16, 2011
    0
    I am an active Sonic fan, playing nearly every one of SEGA's Sonic games. I have always liked the Sonic Riders series for bringing originalityI am an active Sonic fan, playing nearly every one of SEGA's Sonic games. I have always liked the Sonic Riders series for bringing originality to hoverboard racing games and keeping a great amount of re-playability. NEVER have I been this disappointed with a Sonic game, especially in the Riders series. I was anxious to see how Kinect could perform with racing games, as all other motion sensing games Kinect has respond very well. After playing it, I regret asking myself that question. At the start of the game there are even problems. The menu's controls are pure ass, requiring you to slide back to turn a wheel to get to the next option. Half the time, it directed me to the PREVIOUS option instead of the next. Adding to the problem, it requires you to drag the button down instead of hold your hand over the option. There are voice commands but would ANYONE want to remember the names of these buttons? Moving on to the gameplay, all characters play like complete ass. Turning your body either doesn't respond or sends your character FLYING ACROSS THE DAMN SCREEN(my Kinect is fully calibrated just so you know). Jumping will tire you the most, as the requirement of it is so frequent, as well as how you must turn to get a good ranking on the jump. On one of the maps, you need to jump off a ramp and start swimming by flapping your arms to get up to the surface. A jump, now horrible and unresponsive swimming? How much worse does it get? The unresponsive controls get worse too, as this game makes you reach out and grab rings. You will constantly find your characters arm reaching out and going back to their body, requiring you to reach your arm out AGAIN. It is a struggle to get anything above last place and after a few races you will be begging not to play again. Anyone with a sane mind should avoid spending even a cent on this piece of garbage. This game looks as if it was meant for a controller with the menus and everything, it looks like a regular 360 game ported to Kinect. If SEGA wanted to release a Kinect game, they should've added controller use too. AVOID PLAYING THIS GAME AT ALL COSTS.… Full Review »
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