The Sonic Rivals Duo | The Forgotten PSP Series

[@Megaman.ExE7]

Ahh yes. The long awaited Sonic Rivals review. These games are so underwhelming to go back to but I remember spending hours on them when I was younger

[@krxxc.kk6]

@Janeiro I Getting the cards and costumes is fun as hell

[@bahaedablackaceenthusiast9955]

@@krxxc.kk6 ah yes the challenges....

[@avej99]

@@krxxc.kk6 it took me forever to finish it because 8 year old me couldn’t figure out what “joust the opponent” meant

[@Romashka_Sov]

@@krxxc.kk6 getting same cards over and over because they are mostly rng based was "fun", but Sonic games have this problem with any card collectables.

[@Negative_NBG]

Don't tell me that! I spent so much time unlocking everything on the first one, I can't go back to them just to be disappointed 😭

[@Rogerregorroger]

That Rivals commercial you loved made me laugh so much. It looks so sarcastic with the bombastic explosion sounds.

[@stardust_falls]

Hey look, it's the guy

[@bluespeed234]

Is he wrong tho

[@Rogerregorroger]

@@bluespeed234 not at all.

[@nazomius7033]

@@Rogerregorroger Oh my god, you’re the guy who made those shorter sonic stories

[@hevendor958]

oh yeah, the sound in the commercial reminded me of the woosh sounds in Rayman Arena, in the Main Menu of the game

[@ALtheBoi]

RIP the 1 hour Sonic Chronicles essay 😔

[@Rio_REAL]

D:

[@shanecorcoran2542]

honestly wish he just did a 30 second video repeating what he said in the beginning segment. Would have laughed my ass off

[@Deoxys_Used_Mimic]

I was looking forward to it.

[@Gnidel]

@@Deoxys_Used_Mimic Me too, because it's my least favorite Sonic game despite enjoying the story. I wanted to see it destroyed.

[@kauanjos3199]

No joke a prefer playing 06 than chronicles(and i love RPGs), gameplay bad, soundtrack can burn in hell, only the story and the characters with a really good variety(shadow, eggman, big and omega)

[@charactersin-depth3472]

I really like how Rivals did 2D since you can see what's ahead of you, helping to avoid mistakes.

[@Gnidel]

Generations often did the same.

[@lance2580]

And SEGA already did this with _NiGHTS into Dreams,_ so it isn't that uncommon, yet it feels so great!

[@serinsarp86]

Looks like ma man j is getting some bread with these sponsors! (Btw congarts on that)

[@mekeido]

Frfr man , he came a long way

[@andreistroe8973]

The series where everyone gets in each other's way for no reason

[@FormalFilmsProductions]

Race to Win is a bop

[@fnaf2isthegoat75]

I have never heard something so factual

[@njyawndra8609]

Is it weird I perfer the theme from the original game?

[@krxxc.kk6]

Your videos genuinely make my day, just wanted to say your videos are amazing fr, I've binged this whole "Sonic Was Distinctive" series multiple times lmao, keep workin bro you a goat.

[@CynicalT0ast]

Congrats J on being the first person to remember these games exist in years

[@JonyPlayz1]

Lol

[@lukepinn621]

Speedsupersonic is another one

[@MrPineapple045]

@@lukepinn621 and garrulous64

[@UnrealNeoBat]

SomeCallmejohnny: Am I a joke to you?!

[@JonyPlayz1]

@@UnrealNeoBat Lol

[@fruitlion8]

Rivals 2 grabbed my attention a lot back in the day. Solo mode, without the race mechanic, was worth the price of admission alone, and Blue Coast is one of my favourite level themes in the series - a blend of Marble Zone and sunshine.

[@Xelical]

I remember this game being my first exposure to Eggman Nega, my mom always thought I was saying the n word.

[@lilmissdifferent99]

That just reminded me of Chariii5's 'Everything Wrong with Sonic Rivals' series! I will never forget this line: "Woah, Eggman! I know Shadow's black, but that does not mean you get the n-word pass!"

[@mack_r-s]

Reminds me of the Nega Chin from Fairly Odd Parents.

[@FrancisL4D]

Similer story for me too, My dad always gave a look of confusion while my mother questioned what we were saying😂

[@JetblackJay]

The story is the only good thing about sonic chronicles its pain otherwise

[@agreedboarart3188]

I thought it was fun...

[@sonicrunn3r895]

No no no, the story AND the intro theme are the only good things about Chronicles.

[@rainpooper7088]

I hate how right you are. I wanted to like Chronicles so badly because the creators really seemed to care about Sonic as a whole with all the little references they dropped in this game, but the problems just keep coming and coming the more you play.

[@ultrairrelevantnobody1862]

I used to play Sonic Chronicles all the time as a kid. I acknowledge it's pretty bad, but I can't hate it.

[@phantomblue2798]

The RPG segments could've been better without use of the DS pen honestly. Other than that, the combat features were always something that I enjoyed seeing because I can finally see Sonic characters doing some other moves other than spin jumping.

[@2goodsharks]

He cancelled Sonic Chronicles even harder than I cancelled Galeem.

[@shadowvincent8718]

Dont forget Mario.

[@2goodsharks]

@@shadowvincent8718 I allowed Mario to live, but only to further agitate Cloud. But Mario has served his purpose and I have no plans to spare him a second time when we meet again.

[@Sydney_Angelyt]

@@2goodsharks this you? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXempaGHlK6ag68

[@2goodsharks]

@@Sydney_Angelyt Yes, I have a presence in Smash. I use it to make sure Cloud doesn't step out of line.

[@Sydney_Angelyt]

@@2goodsharks is cloud your unofficial son?

[@sonicrunn3r895]

Honestly, despite Rivals being so flawed, I love these two games just out of nostalgic value alone.

[@sophiebubbles07]

Oh yeah, I remember the Sonic Rivals games! They were those 2 games where Eggman N-word dressed up as regular Eggman, and, uh, Espio had his own story, and there, um, there was no final story in Rivals 2. And uh, um, yeah I’ve got nothing

[@smugsneasel]

Oh wow. He just gave a big fat NO to Chronicles. I mean, completely understandable, but at the same time, it's surprising how direct that announcement was.

[@destronlaserwave9566]

5:12, when you mentioned that, I can't unsee that photoshopped Shadow

[@TehJellyLord]

I have a HUUUUUUUGE soft spot for these two games. I remember deciding to get a PSP based solely on the fact that Rivals looked cooler than Rush. I know now that I was wrong, but I don’t regret my decision. I genuinely love the Rivals games. I understand why others don’t, or just kinda find it meh, but it’s really just a nostalgia thing for me. Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Let’s put it this way. Sonic Rivals 1 has the distinction of being the first game I ever beat

[@kieranstark7213]

Nostalgia is especially a powerful thing now that we’re in the 2020s and so many things went incredibly, horribly wrong. Which is probably why regardless of their objective quality (whether they’re genuinely good or not), people stay nostalgically attack to what came out in the pre-2020s.

[@dantemitsoyu977]

When he said this would be the last sonic video for a couple of months my heart broke

[@torak_34]

the sonic reviews are the things i wait for on weekly basis

[@shanecorcoran2542]

i thought he meant it as "the sonic riders review will be the last for a while, since the last few videos have all been sonic, but we will be back for the Sonic Riders Trilogy next time." Also it would make more sense since its the last video before the meta era.

[@DesignDoc]

I tried these games a few months ago and...they're just boring to play. Movement doesn't feel satisfying at all.

[@djsparkk1074]

I fell personaly offended 😑

[@Sonic171K]

Yeah that’s the best way to describe them.

[@cakelayer]

Yeah, play sega genesis Collection instead

[@josharrow1111]

i really appreciate your vids j, i find it relaxing to just listen to on my way to work in the morning, thank you!

[@haryproenza1335]

I played the hell outta Rivals 2 when I was in 2nd Grade and hearing Race to Win again reawakened the song that was engrained into my brain.

[@keithfernandez8546]

The sonic rivals series is actually my first time playing a sonic game. The most stupidest part in sonic rivals two is that when Sonic and tails go to this creepy Halloween stage, they meet the ghosts versions of themselves. Which of course is pretty stupid, but it’s funny to see Sonic and Tails both spooked and scared to see their ghost versions of themselves. What’s even more stupid is that they both fight their own ghost version of themselves.

[@diethersantos6404]

Sonic and Tails scared themselves as ghost was pretty funny tho

[@strykon4721]

My headcannon always was that Rush is the "Good Future" and 06 the bad one (which Elise prevents)

[@Axxidous]

06 HAS a good and bad future already... lol You know it's weird that Blaze and Silver continue to visit

[@GarStazer]

Sonic Rivals , DBZ shin Budokai and Yugiph Tag force games ....ahh the memories

[@TimeturnerJ]

Honestly, I love these games for one reason and one reason alone: They served as Silver's re-introduction into the Sonic canon after he and his timeline were erased from existence in 06. And I always thought that this new version of Silver was excellent - he's delightfully rude and abrasive, single-minded in his missions, much more insightful than the other characters (except for Espio who actually listens to him - and can I just say that I love their friendship?) give him credit for, and, most importantly, he's ready to throw hands at a moment's notice. 😂 This guy is not to be messed with, especially considering how powerful he canonically is. Also, his dialogue implies some interesting things about his backstory - for example, the fact that he travelled to the past not to change the future, but rather to capture the criminal Eggman Nega and bring him back to the future with him. The two of them also seem to share some amount of history - Silver could tell it was him just by analysing his speech patterns. What, is Silver some kind of secret agent in this new timeline? It's so intriguing! It felt like such a fresh new take on his character - somewhat similar to what had come before, but also very different, too. You could tell he had lived a very different life to the version of him we had seen before. I wish they had stuck with this direction for his character, but his energy in the more recent games has been a lot more mellow and 06 again. It's a shame, I really liked this more jaded version of Silver.

[@White-yg8lo]

My thoughts, exactly I love lovable jerk Silver.

[@richardsphd]

I'm on a 5 minute break from online class. Sure, I have time for Sonic

[@skyblade7438]

Sonic🤝Marvel Good guys randomly fighting each other for no good reason.

[@mason2978]

Sonic is Superman Shadow is Badman

[@chill.7682]

I'm glad ur gets these sponsors dude. Keep up the quality content

[@RubyofBlue]

I can't be the only one who's Pogging that our boi's getting sponsorships???

[@lance2580]

You know, I actually find the idea of Metal Sonic and Shadow teaming up as something very interesting. Shadow is the creation of Gerald Robotnik, while Metal Sonic is the creation of Dr. Eggman. You'll get what I'm saying.

[@b_e_p_i_s_m_a_n6212]

Something interesting I don't see brought up much with Rivals 1 is that the game takes place on Onyx Island, Angel Island from the future, and that most of the zones from the game match up with a corresponding zone from Sonic 3: * Forest Falls -> Angel Island * Colosseum Highway -> Marble Garden * Sky Park -> Carnival Night * Crystal Mountain -> Ice Cap * Death Yard -> perhaps the remains of Launch Base?

[@squidboilukas]

Ridge: Who are you? Ekster: I'm you, but stronger

[@tjwizzy]

I like rivals game. It wasn't all bad. Mainly 2

[@HybridAngelZero]

As someone who's been playing RPGs for my whole life, and does know what makes a good RPG: Skipping Chronicles was the right choice. As for Rivals, these are some of the few Sonic games I've never really played. I kind of wish they could have just been traditional 2.5D Sonic games

[@gundambassexe31]

Sonic rivals was an interesting game series

[@dark_nightwing_xl2797]

True

[@termentir7257]

My first Sonic games! I got them both and Secret Agent Clank when I first got a PSP

[@debisi5067]

Rivals 3 would be insane

[@cloudshines812]

Clicked on J’s new video faster than he can give his sponser. Congrats on Ekster and great video as always man!

[@andrewmanchiraju8005]

As an RPG fan I can say that what makes the best Turn-Based RPGs are a good soundtrack, interesting story, compelling characters, but most importantly combat that is not difficult to understand, but needs to have complexities that are necessary to progressing through the story. Turn Based RPGs are a niche genre, but done well they can be some of the greatest games ever made. The best RPGs to me include Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, Shin Megami Tensei.

[@keithfernandez8546]

You know Sonic Rivals 2, will be marked as the last Sonic game where knuckles will be remembered as the guardian of the master emerald. Because afterwards the rest of Sonic game where knuckles was in he just tag along with Sonic and his role as guardian of the master emerald is completely forgotten by Sega.

[@yourfriendlyneighbohoodpiz7683]

Nice video, even though I disagree (again). Idk, I think both Rivals games are pretty good and solid 2D racers. Despite being short, they’re still really fun to me. I had a lot of fun with both of them, and I even replay them off and on because of it.

[@jaioncebollero1168]

Well theres always gonna be outliers... Your definitely the minority and I’m sure you know that.

[@lazyvoid7107]

@@jaioncebollero1168 Yeah no

[@jaioncebollero1168]

@@lazyvoid7107 more people think that sonic Rivals 1 and 2 are good games than bad? “Yeah no”

[@MarioKartGamerDude]

I really thought we’d get a Sonic Rivals 3 one day...

[@greylithwolf]

M'boi Jay cranking these videos out like a full time boss.

[@golddigginboi2187]

Race to win is one of the best Sonic songs ever

[@9-bitfox]

5:10 : THE FLAMES OF DISASTER!!!

[@ivanbanuelos1387]

You beat me to it lmao

[@nedalomar4216]

The rival series is really good i hope they make rivals 3

[@nedalomar4216]

@Mihnea Bărbulescu me too

[@mediamuncher6982]

Me to

[@Glue_Eater06]

The question is would it stay Playstation exlusive

[@Profalcon1078]

I would love that

[@Profalcon1078]

​@@Glue_Eater06 Most probably. I mean the rush games are Nintendo exclusives

[@METAL2K0]

I remember i loved to play as Silver, he was such a cool character

[@METAL2K0]

Shadow was also fire ngl

[@gamertoon8230]

1:45 I wouldn’t mind another attempt at a Sonic RPG especially since SEGA now owns Atlus

[@mechajay3358]

I honestly forgotten these even existed, wish I could say the same about Sonic Chronicles. That game was pain to get through.

[@Lela_Dax]

We didn't forget about it, 🙂 we've been patiently waiting for you to do a review on it, so thank you😊

[@DavidTurner2]

The Sonic rivals games are pure perfection no flaws at all it is completely perfect

[@Minecraft1stjedi]

Agreed

[@CineflickProductions]

Another sponsor awesome man great video

[@dmitrykhvostik5975]

A Moment in Rivals 2 when Metal Sonic literally ripped himself apart to get a Chaos Emerald so Shadow could escape from ifrit dimension is placed for me on same level as "There is only one Sonic" scene from OVA

[@JOJO-oj8gy]

8:34 Rouge huge Badonkas before the nerf💀

[@Deathwarrior115]

It was such a good game for a psp only user like me 😭

[@mattiesavannahpahl9934]

I just finished Sonic Forces and Mania and am on a Sonic high. Glad you're doing Sonic content right now

[@JsReviews]

Hope you enjoy it. This has basically been the next great retrospective, following the DCAU one.

[@Nothavinit00]

I enjoyed both games and completed all 8 of the story campaigns. I enjoyed them for being a fun racing game as well as explaining Silver's real origin. ...and yes Rivals 1 and 2 are canon.

[@AvatarAidan]

In school right now with all my work done and watching this.

[@xzygvxzygvv2623]

Lately i have been enojoying the crap out of your reviews. Since TMNT 2004 i have been hooked and i apreciate the hard work you put on every single review. I am waiting for some free time in my schedule to watch your MGS review. Keep it up man you are doing a fantastic job. One of my new favourite review youtubers 😇🤟🏻

[@darknessrising2453]

10:22 Fun fact: aside from Eggman himself, none of the characters know about BOTH versions of Nega's origin. Dimensional Counterpart Origin: Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Cream, Blaze, and Marine. Future Descendant Origin: Silver, Shadow, Rouge, Espio, and Metal Sonic.

[@Deoxys_Used_Mimic]

The novelty of having a playable Metal Sonic and Silver was the only reason I got these games.

[@faxemaxe2987]

I wonder why Eggman n-word didn't appear in the newer games, I'm sure that's a very good name

[@prestamopositivo4932]

Have a good day

[@blootube97]

13:45 THIS IS WHY YOU DON’T SIMP, SHADOW!

[@ToyTimeKing]

Another great vid from you J! Sonic Rivals 2 still is one of my favourite sonic games to play despite its many many flaws but your point on the ost being slept on is so true!

[@Mugen2024]

interesting how Metal was an important character in Rivals 2, I hope that someday they create a kind of "Team Badnik"

[@LeoLucisCaelum7789]

Keep the good work dude and I like videos

[@ryancarless7921]

I remembered Race to Win being one of my favorite songs. It's the only thing I remember about the game

[@benjulc9271]

Nice timing, recently I've been whatching Clament64 series on these games.

[@Tobunari]

I like Riders. I hear there is a huge community behind that series.

[@Ch00choh]

Trading cards in school was the coolest thing to do as a kid. Having super sonic was just bragging rights to my friends

[@nvsseann]

When this was first released I was so surprised that they could run a 3D Sonic Game on a handheld as before I got my PSP for Christmas I had a GBA with Sonic Advance 1&2. I poured tons and tons of hours into Sonic Rivals on car trips. Ahh, the good times...

[@Alfred_English]

you need more sponsors because you absolutely nail the product/service integration without coming off as a shill

[@Barkerbg001]

I was honestly looking forward to a chronicles video

[@djsparkk1074]

I love sonic rivals and the sequal

[@VirtuousAezon]

Woah that thumbnail art!

[@jinschnee]

I remember playing these games alot when i was younger and coming back to it while the story is...almost nonexistent i still have fun with it tbh

[@ashimashi1]

I was hoping you do these two ...used to play them so much with my cousin

[@eli2210]

I had Rivals 2 and had so much fun replaying that game with every character. Espió and Silver we’re new to me and I loved them. I wanted more from them. Purple is my favorite color so I’m a little biased with Espió. However, both of the characters were completely new to me and a 3rd hedgehog was also something completely new so I was curious

[@alexaliota961]

My mans got a sponsor AND a switch lets gooo

[@tokyobassist]

Sup J! Not here for the review as much as it is to stop by and say I hope you're doing well man. I'm not much of a Sonic fan but it's been a long time since I've seen youe DMC and Mega Man retrospectives so I figured I drop by and wish you well.

[@golddigginboi2187]

Another banger. Also, this is a forgotten gem for me.

[@Nintendofan570]

At first I didn't care much for Sonic Rivals but then I saw Rivals 2 has costumes, but I also realized I don't have a PSP

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Commenting before watching: I always really wanted to play these as a kid, but never had a PSP. My mum kept promising me she'd find it on PS2 because she didn't understand the idea of a game being exclusive to a console! I just got hold of a PSP two days ago along with a copy of the first game, and you know what, I'm having a lot of fun with it. Races can get really intense, altho sometimes running without any kind of boost or level gimmick just feels soooooo slow, the AI always catches up to you in such sections. I've found spamming the homing attack to be quicker. I like the game's approach to multiple routes, where you choose not based on a skill check but based on what you need at that point in the race. In most 2D Sonic games, once you've figured out your route, a replay of that level is pretty much the same unless you make a mistake.

[@Unremarkable6969]

Race to Win goes so hard for no reason.

[@swordguy60]

Disappointed you won't review Sonic Chronicles as not that many people would talk about it to the degree you would of but I understand not liking a game and I'd rather not force someone to do something they'd rather not do.

[@SpeedKnight7]

YOU GOT ANOTHER SPONSER LETS GO

[@Brizzy51994]

I Love Your Videos ! Keep Them Coming !!

[@DarioSpina97]

I think if we had a single player sonic game with a similar look to the rivals games with major improvements, it would be so cool.

[@ColbertAwesome]

I still want to play these two games because it looks fun to play

[@BeaverBotics2]

I loved these games as a kid, but I haven't played them in over a decade, so I can't say how well they hold up. That being said, this and Sonic R shows that the idea of an on foot Sonic Racer over a kart or hoverboard racer is a cool idea that just needs more time in the oven. Like a racing game with unleashed/Colors/Generations controls

[@TheSqueakerNerd]

Goodness lolz I didn't know about the shadow eye thing.

[@enderaceofspades8579]

Wished we had a Sonic Rivals 3

[@ignaciovelasco9452]

Man I enjoyed these 2 ( specially the second one ) sooooo much as a child

[@jacobneylon647]

Glad to see Daxter getting a shoutout. Such a great game. It’s probably the best PSP title overall.

[@jalalamin2798]

I actually forgot these games existed but had so much fun playing them 🥲

[@blockyvids2]

Fun Fact: Rivals 2 was the start of the those renders SEGA has been using and never updated.

[@SonicMasterOfficial]

When is the sonic colors review?

[@JmrUltra]

I think I got an ad for that wallet before the video started. That’s kinda cool.