Sonic Free Riders

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2010
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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TheOnlineGamer
    Nov 27, 2010
    10
    This is the best in the Sonic Riders series! The controls are improved the fun factor is really high and the graphics are Awesome! the story is decent but atleast they changed the voice cast! if your a sonic fan, you should definitely pick this up!
  2. SonicKazuki
    Jan 17, 2011
    10
    Sonic Free Riders is not a bad game at all. In fact it is one of the best games on the Kinect right now. The controls are tight and recognize the slightest movement I make. The tracks are fun and definitely give you a work out. People who say that the controls don't work either haven't calibrated their Kinect or stand to close to the Kinect (AngryJoe's god awful review of the game). SonicSonic Free Riders is not a bad game at all. In fact it is one of the best games on the Kinect right now. The controls are tight and recognize the slightest movement I make. The tracks are fun and definitely give you a work out. People who say that the controls don't work either haven't calibrated their Kinect or stand to close to the Kinect (AngryJoe's god awful review of the game). Sonic Free Riders is a good game and is definitely a good reason to get a Kinect.… Expand
  3. LampetRatesGame
    Jan 25, 2017
    10
    SFR(Sonic free riders) Is a good game in my opinion. The damn song is catchy. Yeah sure the menu is a piece of **** but still. It wont work if your kinect is old or a piece of garbage.
  4. loricritic845
    Jun 15, 2018
    10
    I decided to try this game and I loved it. Graphics were great, music was awesome and the controls are solid.
  5. SonicSpeedo92
    Jun 21, 2018
    10
    I seriously love Sonic Free Riders to the death. I didn't have a problem with the menus or the controls, the tracks are all fun to play on, the new style of game play is fresh, the graphics are amazing, and the music is as great as ever! Yeah, the story's a piece of s**t, but who plays a racing game for story? My favourite Sonic game.
  6. Diesonichaters
    Nov 26, 2020
    10
    It`s not SEGA`s fault. IT was the ******** and ******* *********** kinect. I need more words so. PlayStation is beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetter
  7. TheBrain
    Nov 15, 2010
    9
    You shouldn't rate a game because somebody else said so or because you just flat out hate Sonic, you should rate a game based on if you played it or not unlike Flesh and Thumper17 who are idiots who never played the game. I played the game and it works fairly well, but for different people some might like it some may not but try it out first before you bash it.
  8. hydeks
    Nov 20, 2010
    9
    This game is awesome! Shows off alot of cool things cool things that Kinect is capable of doing. If your a fan of Sonic you'll love this game (P.S. Sonic haters, piss off, give real reviews or don't review at all, giving a link to some other persons review makes u a idiot...play the games and make ur own decision)
  9. Callum2
    Jun 15, 2021
    9
    It’s honestly a great game. Especially for its time. The controls are great and I’ve never experienced a problem with them in 5 years. Great music, great graphics, decent plot and a wide variety of characters.
  10. BobyRobinson
    Jul 6, 2023
    9
    I know it's late but honestly this game is very overhated and misunderstood. You just have to play it properly since it works really well for me lol. It is so fun to master. It should have a second chance honestly
  11. Shadow1
    May 14, 2016
    8
    Good Game . Good Exclusive for Xbox 360 . This game for Kinect . In this game very good graphics and good storyline about tournament by airboarding . This is not one of the worst game in Sonic Series . This game even better than Sonic Heroes and Sonic Riders . 8/10
  12. GudKos
    Jun 6, 2016
    8
    Sonic Free Riders is good, but not awesome. Is one of the greatest games on the Kinect because it's a LIVE game with Sonic characters. We can even grab the rings using our hands! Only one disadvantage of this game is turnings right or left the board to complete corners. It was a risky step to create this game. If Sonic Team fixed turns in games, it could have been the greatest game of allSonic Free Riders is good, but not awesome. Is one of the greatest games on the Kinect because it's a LIVE game with Sonic characters. We can even grab the rings using our hands! Only one disadvantage of this game is turnings right or left the board to complete corners. It was a risky step to create this game. If Sonic Team fixed turns in games, it could have been the greatest game of all time, but it became one of the worst Sonic game titles ever!… Expand
  13. MegamanZeroX19
    May 30, 2020
    8
    Comparado con el Zero gravity tiene una baja notable de calidad.
    Me gusta que sea más similar al primer Riders.
    Lo que más afecta al juego es el que controle con Kinect.
    También su historia es aburrida y absurda.
  14. TSDG
    Apr 12, 2015
    6
    OK, for not having the best motion controls for kinect V.1 compared to first party kinect games, this should have had a simpler use of the awful controls, it should be fixed next time!
  15. TurquoiseTurtle
    Aug 29, 2011
    5
    While I am a big fan of Sonic, I have a pretty much no love towards the Riders series. I feel that the games don't feel like great racing games. The first Riders wasn't terrible, but it wasn't something to rival Mario Kart. Zero Gravity, however, was terrible, especially on the Wii if you use the motion controls. But now, we have Free Riders. While it's better than ZG, it still doesn'tWhile I am a big fan of Sonic, I have a pretty much no love towards the Riders series. I feel that the games don't feel like great racing games. The first Riders wasn't terrible, but it wasn't something to rival Mario Kart. Zero Gravity, however, was terrible, especially on the Wii if you use the motion controls. But now, we have Free Riders. While it's better than ZG, it still doesn't feel fantastic. From what I've seen, the controls seem hit or miss. Sometimes it works, sometime it doesn't. For me, it didn't seem responsive, which isn't good for Sega's first Kinect game. The new voice actors, however, are a welcome addition, and while it's not that important, it is nice to hear the new voice actors get it right the first time round (or techincally second time round). The music, however, is weak, but for a Riders game, it's alright. You would be getting anything amazing in terms of music. It sounds very similar to all the other Riders whereby it just doesn't feel as good as other Sonic games. Overall, I wouldn't say Free Riders is the worst Sonic game out there, but I wouldn't say it's the best either. The controls don't make you feel attached at times, the music is mediocre and it just feels like Sega didn't put enough love into it. Personally, the Riders series should end here, before it crashes straight into a wall at full speed.… Expand
  16. Zilcell
    Nov 11, 2011
    5
    I missed playing Sonic Riders Zero Gravity, but this game appears to be a step backward from Sonic Riders because the Kinect motion is too stiff and makes it difficult to play. They should have released this game without motion controls. It would have been significantly better.
  17. bonnin40
    Feb 21, 2013
    5
    All it takes is learing the controls to make this game a good and fun experience. The controls are what it all comes down to in this game. the mechanics and play style is quite interesting in this game, the graphics are great as well. The music is also very good. the only thing hindering this game are the controls, that are quite difficult to learn. the controls arent neccessarily bad,All it takes is learing the controls to make this game a good and fun experience. The controls are what it all comes down to in this game. the mechanics and play style is quite interesting in this game, the graphics are great as well. The music is also very good. the only thing hindering this game are the controls, that are quite difficult to learn. the controls arent neccessarily bad, rather their just difficult to learn, and depending on your body type, can also change how to learn the controls as well. it could make it easier, or more difficult. This isnt the kind of game you can just pick up and play for 2-3 minutes and make an opinion on it. it takes time to learn the controls. I agree with a previous review from TheBrain on this. unfortunately, i did learn the controls when i first got it, but not very well, resulting in the game being somewhat difficult for me to play. personally, i dont care ffor this game, and though i do find it very fun, the controls were jsut a bit to difficult to master for me. A decent game, but only if you have the time and patience to learn how it controls.… Expand
  18. SonicKlonoa216
    May 12, 2011
    4
    All I can say is the game is worst of the 3 Sonic Riders games.I am a Sonic Fan But I can't recommend even with Controls for the Kinect. It's also disappointing about Roger Craig Smith How I like him in Sonic Colors as Sonic and Resident Evil 5 as Chris Redfield, but I felt his work was wasted. If you want a good Sonic Racing game, Get Sonic Riders(Either one of the first two) or Sonic andAll I can say is the game is worst of the 3 Sonic Riders games.I am a Sonic Fan But I can't recommend even with Controls for the Kinect. It's also disappointing about Roger Craig Smith How I like him in Sonic Colors as Sonic and Resident Evil 5 as Chris Redfield, but I felt his work was wasted. If you want a good Sonic Racing game, Get Sonic Riders(Either one of the first two) or Sonic and Sega All stars Racing! They are much better than this!… Expand
  19. BlueSpeed
    Nov 26, 2015
    4
    Absolutely horrible controls!!!,this game is one of the worst sonic games ever!.But although this game is horrible the music in this game is awesome,Sonic free riders:Break Free song is my number 2 sonic song.
  20. JPK
    Jun 9, 2019
    4
    Kinect Does Not Compute
    Sonic Free Riders looks beautiful, But is pretty much completely ruined by Kinect.
  21. Daniel_N
    Feb 7, 2021
    4
    I feel like the biggest flaw of this game is the fact that you have to use your body, and the fact that it’s so hard to control. It’s better off a controller game. Although, the characters are fun and the animations are swell.
  22. ibblue07
    Jun 13, 2022
    4
    Unfortunately, it’s impossible to overlook this game’s flaws due to the incredibly unresponsive motion controls, which is enough to declare Sonic Free Riders as possibly the worst Sonic game to ever exist.
  23. Rahsmoove
    Jan 4, 2016
    3
    Even for kinect game, there is no excuse for a game to be completely rushed and unfinished. Sonic free riders has a boat load of issues from the gameplay up to the menu. The motion detection is very sluggish and when you have to move in the direction of where your back is, it's sort of strainful. They have you go through a faustraing and far out boring questionably needed toturial. TheEven for kinect game, there is no excuse for a game to be completely rushed and unfinished. Sonic free riders has a boat load of issues from the gameplay up to the menu. The motion detection is very sluggish and when you have to move in the direction of where your back is, it's sort of strainful. They have you go through a faustraing and far out boring questionably needed toturial. The menu as I mentioned before is also a hugh problem, simply because it has you select what you what to do in an aggarvating way. You have to take your hand, move it to the icon you what and drag the icon into an accept icon. It wouldn't be a problem if the the meinu didn't move so much while you're doing it. You should use the voice activation instead. Playing with your friends is a joke, you have to hold hands while moving, and you might bump heads while doing so. Sonic Free Riders offers a great and fun interesting concept, but is totally ruined by broken gameplay, flawed motion controls, terrible voice acting, a flawed menu and annoying mutiplayer.… Expand
  24. TheBlacky
    Mar 20, 2013
    2
    good job you destroyed kinect dont detecting movements crappy meniu shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee on yooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
  25. SoporificSG
    Sep 2, 2018
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You know this game wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the ****ing Kinect.… Expand
  26. SFproductions
    Aug 18, 2023
    2
    Literally one
    of the worst
    games
    I've ever
    played⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  27. GreatL
    Jun 10, 2012
    1
    I like sonic but this is just horrible.HOLDING HANDS for who is it for you and your loved one or your own friends but you'll be constantly hitting each other.I actually thought this game might me good, like a Mario kart game but you are moving.Great idea!Oh and I must say about the theme song which is a bit good.
  28. Vandral007
    Dec 11, 2012
    1
    This game is about has fun as castrating yourself with a toffee hammer. The controls don't work! The controls make you slam into a wall! The music is loud, blaring, and incredibly annoying! The graphics are sub par, not that you'll be able to make out much between the high speed and waves of naseua playing this game instills. Avoid at all costs... even if you're a fan of Kinect.
  29. NikoBocce
    Oct 28, 2018
    1
    Oh this game is sooooooooo bad, It doesn't even classify as a video game. A video game is defined as "a game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a television screen or other display screen." Manipulating the image on screen is something that you have no control over. You can't even control the menus properly, I think I may have PTSD from how badOh this game is sooooooooo bad, It doesn't even classify as a video game. A video game is defined as "a game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a television screen or other display screen." Manipulating the image on screen is something that you have no control over. You can't even control the menus properly, I think I may have PTSD from how bad this experience was 7 years ago.… Expand
  30. ShadowBladeXV
    Mar 30, 2014
    1
    The Kinect is a complete **** Sonic Free Riders proves this fact. Everything about this **** game does nothing correctly. If, and I repeat, IF anything functions, it only does when it wants to. This game even physically affects you and makes you sick from playing it. It's a **** shame that we now expect every Kinect-required game to be COMPLETELY terrible. That all started here. Sonic mayThe Kinect is a complete **** Sonic Free Riders proves this fact. Everything about this **** game does nothing correctly. If, and I repeat, IF anything functions, it only does when it wants to. This game even physically affects you and makes you sick from playing it. It's a **** shame that we now expect every Kinect-required game to be COMPLETELY terrible. That all started here. Sonic may have almost been dead many years ago, but this game takes him out to the backyard, and BLOWS UP his **** head with a shotgun blast.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Gamers' Temple
    Jul 11, 2011
    48
    Sonic Free Riders could have been a great game if the controls worked.
    Read full review
  2. XboxAddict
    Feb 10, 2011
    30
    With ring collecting and extreme gear upgrades, this should have been a fun racing game for Kinect; instead, it's an unresponsive mess that flat out doesn't work. Did no one test this game and see that it's broken?
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »