Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Playstation 3)

Sonice & Sega All-Stars racing takes the popular genre of the racing genre and adds in our favorite SEGA characters. One of the leading features of the game is the wide amount of fan service given to the characters. Sonic fans will love to see their Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Eggman as racers; they will see tracks themed with Sonic (and even sound effects like the bumper from the casinos of the Sonic the Hedgehog series), and they will even be able to hear and unlock numerous songs from throughout the Sonic universe, such as "Super Sonic Racing" from Sonic R, or even "What U Need" from Sonic Rush. Not only is this true for the Sonic series but is true for the other series represented (Sambe De Amigo, Super Monkey Ball, etc).

This game brings SEGA characters and unites them in this genre, which is perhaps quite fun. For the PS3, PSN support lets players race with up to 4 players split screen (locally), or with 2 to 8 players via the online mode.

The mechanics to racing are quite simple with really easy to grasp controls. Use a trigger button to gas, one to break, and then the x-button to launch a weapon. Its pretty fast and hectic which makes every racing experience unique.

There is just one fault and that is probably some of the levels are quite short, however its only about four of them among the twenty-four tracks. The voice acting of the characters is true to how they have always sounded, and the narrator is quite funny.

Definitely check the game out and enjoy it.

*DLC is upcoming

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This game is amazing. It's got all the fun factors of kart racing with Segas Twist. Amazing levels and beautifully designed graphics. The character selection is great( wish there were some more favorites). No complaints here. Just a really solid kart racing game.

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I hate seeing good products go unappreciated, and that's why I'm writing this review.

I have no doubt in my mind that if the words "Sonic" and "Sega" were replaced by "Mario" and "Nintendo" in the title, this game would have already sold a million copies day one. Apparently brand name is that important to the casual gamer...and that's a shame, because this is a fun, well made game that deserves a chance.

It's not as if the characters are unfamiliar. Sonic, Shadow, Amy Rose, Tails, Knuckles, Dr. Robotnik, Jacky and Akira from Virtua Fighter. Characters from million selling hit games. Just like Mario Kart.

It's not as if the game isn't exciting. It's racing! The controls are responsive and fast. The tracks are anywhere from simple to quirky to challenging. Just like Mario Kart.

It's not as if the game is ugly. Sleek presentation. Very colorful racers and environments. Cute/funny/ridiculous animations. Just like Mario Kart.

It's not as if the game is tough on the ears. The sound effects compliment the action nicely, while you're treated to classic themes that you might recognize from previous games. And, plenty of exaggerated voice samples that range from hilarious to cheesy. Just like Mario Kart.

The game has received solid reviews from gaming websites, casual players around the web, other Amazon reviewers, and now little ol' me. What more does it take to get people to open their minds? Hey, if you squint, Sonic sorta looks a little like Mario...they're both red and blue. Will that do it for you? Will pretending that it's a Mario game actually allow people to forget blind brand loyalty and try something that they will probably enjoy just as much?

Well, whatever you have to do, do it. As long as it lets you let yourself enjoy a good game.

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