Sonic R - Sega's Worst Masterpiece

Sonic R was the only Sonic the Hedgehog game that was released exclusively for the Sega Saturn during the console's life cycle. And while it has an incredible cast of characters including the usual Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and a variety of unlockable characters, this racing game is not the most well regarded entry in the series. This, in turn, has led all Sonic Racing games since this game that was released in 1997 to stray away from the innovative ideas that had been included in this title (regardless of how well implemented these ideas actually were). And so today I want to discuss why Sonic R is Sega's Worst Masterpiece, what it had right and why, if it were made today, it could be one of the best and most unique racing games on the market.
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[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Thank you so much for watching the video! Have you ever played Sonic R? And if so, what were your feeling about it?

[@StubbornFunkyDonkey]

Never played it, but definitely will try it out now. Thanks for the video man!

[@chaosahoyhoy]

I had a PC port of Sonic R on my old Win98 computer, I dunno how poorly it controls on Saturn but I can't imagine it being clunkier than with a keyboard. It was significantly better than any other game I had on PC back then so I played a bunch of it. As for the old "why is Sonic in a car?" question, I always figured what Sega were trying to do (just poorly) was give Sonic a fascination with extreme speed sports - like how he snowboards in Sonic 3, drives cars in Sonic Drift or hoverboards in Sonic Riders. He's the fastest thing alive but that doesn't mean he can't recreationally enjoy slower speed activities. Hell, Tails pilots a plane everywhere and he can just fly himself. Or why Shadow likes driving his motorcycle everywhere.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I think that's definitely a fair point about extreme sports, like I think the idea of Sonic Riders is super fun and cool because it's just not something he could do himself. Whereas the car thing I think it just a smidge odd when Kart/car racers are already so overdone.

[@CianDelano]

Oh my goodness, I had the PC port of this game and it is a hell of a fun game and I have so much Nostalgia about it =D Thank you for doing a video on this and for your highlighting its good points... good memories come with it.... The Soundtrack though... fucking amazing.... Everybody truly is... Super Sonic Racing =3

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching!

[@KanaevM]

I know of Sonic R, but I have never heard about the Tails Doll..

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I very much apologize for introducing it to you...

[@LunaP1]

That is a nightmare you do not need to know about, sir.

[@aaronhussey8522]

A Sonic Riders game with a similar level design philosophy to Sonic R and (maybe) some of it's mechanics would be amazing in my opinion.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I agree Sonic Riders is SUPER fun and I think that it could benefit from more varied tracks! Though I think that can be said of most racing games!

[@sleipnir_8364]

I remember this game because this was one of the games my parents gifted me.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I hope you have great memories with it!

[@BigRed3000]

I absolutely love Sonic R. The mix of racing, platforming, and exploration for a racing game is so unique and a sequel has so much potential. 9:12 also the game does have a hard mode. It might not be in the Saturn version but I know it’s in the gems collection version

[@makotoyuki345]

Sonic R is actually the very first game I’ve ever played. Our dad got it for us along with Virtua Fighter for our old windows 98 so me and my brother played it ALL the time. Honestly it would’ve been awesome if Sonic R was followed on by more games that built on its template. I could feel the sunshine, I kept the dream alive, I went back in time, I worked it out like the diamonds in the sky cuz Sonic R your my number one

[@Brayniac]

Oh wow, I didn't see this one coming! The soundtrack is legendary.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

It’s definitely a deviation from the typical content of the channel! I hope you enjoyed it!

[@naos8116]

The soundtrack is definitely full of bops. But that's expected. Sonic games, good or bad, tend to have amazing soundtracks.

[@lovinani7]

Everyone: Why is Sonic driving a car? Why does he do this???? Sonic: Gees, can't I drive a car just cause I want to? Cars are cool yo =3=; Jokes aside, this came out of left field! I never got to play the game but it sounds like something I might have enjoyed as a kid. I would like to see how this game with better mechanics. We need more unique racing games. Oh! And speaking of the Tails doll: Did you know that in the Archie comics, Tails doll actually turned into a huge abomination once and was never mentioned again? Thought I'd throw that out there.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Yes! I'm starting to experiment with different kinds of videos about a variety of different games and topics outside of the typical Psychonauts videos! Also, I had no idea Tails Doll was in the Archie comics! That's both horrifying and hilarious!

[@lovinani7]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT Oh, that's awesome! I would love to hear more from your perspective on games that you like, whether they're personal or just a different opinion like this video. I did sub for the more psychology related topics but this is still an interesting change. I welcome it 😌

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

@@lovinani7 yes! And the psychology content isn’t going anywhere, but those videos take a good deal more time so adding newer types of videos will help posting more frequently be a touch easier!

[@dgc1570]

Frick, that design is creepy as hell

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Yeahhh, Tails Doll is... Different.

[@DragonXBird]

This game was a huge part of my child. It was my little sisters first Sonic game and she is still a huge Sonic fan to this day. Sonic R was a broken masterpiece. We got so used to the controls we can beat the game with any character.

[@kazeryu4834]

I remember playing this game as a kid on the Saturn. I was always annoyed that after I used a short cut once most of the npcs instantly knew how to use it as well. My strategy was usually to get the collectibles first and then use the short cuts to give me a way to catch up

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I HATED when they would start using the shortcuts!

[@thecowardlydm2805]

You do some fantastic vids my guy, I hope one day you get the views you deserve :)

[@dgc1570]

Ah, there it is

[@TheAfker]

while is makes sense thematically for it to be a footrace, ive always personally hought it made sense to have sonic in a car, to even the playing field because well, "rolling around at the speed of sound" is a bit unfair to others who cant. the thing i like the most about this game is that out of ALL sonic racing games this one i feel stayed true to the core concept of what sonic was, go fast, get rings get emeralds. badabing badaboom done

[@paulwilliams5949]

If you use the bumper on the controller you turn sharper

[@GrouchyRaccoon]

I get weirdly addicted to Sonic R, I can't even explain why. I did manage to 100% the game using only Eggrobo a while back, never doing that again!

[@Thedragonlover95]

Catchy soundtrack that has lyrics!

[@Lance06Evo]

Really loved Sonic R, and every time I see Sonic in a Car I Cringe....even if there are better graphically or control-wise, I deem them inferior because kinda defeats the purpose of what Sonic embodies.

[@italex827]

You should cover characters from Bugsnax.

[@eyezuh_]

Sonic R is THE game of all time.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

It certainly is THE game of all time.

[@Dinker27]

I think Tails Doll may have appeared earlier in a render of Sonic Jam, but that's because I remember it coming out before Sonic R. I sure do miss good ol' TT. 😭 I was fortunate to have both on the Sega Saturn, and it definitely helped take the edge off from school before my dad sold it for drug money. 🤣

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I didn't realize it appeared it Sonic Jam!

[@Dinker27]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT Yeah, there's a game mode which was an over overglorified museum! You could see a number of promotional materials that were exclusive to Japan. I think there was even some footage of a Sonic ride as well. One of the "places" had artwork which included a picture of the Tails Doll in spotlight standing in the dark. Both games came out in 1997 with Jam in June and Sonic R later in November, so I didn't think anything of it at the time. I was too busy caring about the fact that the Easy mode in Jam got rid of the Evil Barrel in Sonic 3+Knuckles so my brother and I could complete the game. Pre-internet times be like that. 🤣 I also don't remember if there were any other teasers for the other hidden characters, though.

[@Dinker27]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I would like to correct myself; Tails Doll did not appear in Sonic Jam first. I went ahead and checked Sonic World to make sure. But the Sonic Ride was a thing; you find it in the Theater. I apologize.

[@theendofit]

It also came out on pc. Also you never talked about how the unlockable characters controled like you did for the starting ones like how some have guns. Lol

[@psychosoma5049]

I just can’t with the soundtrack 😂

[@Floofy_Fox_Gal]

You've talked quite a lot about this game

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I'm very nostalgic for it!

[@theendofit]

Always loved sonic r.

[@naos8116]

I had this on the Sonic Gems Collection. It was okay, not a great game but I had some fun at least. Good concept, bad execution.

[@LunaP1]

Shame that the soundtrack is the only good thing about it.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I can definitely see where you're coming with that, but I definitely think that there is fun to be had with this one even though it is DEFINITELY janky.

[@LunaP1]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT if SEGA were to properly remake this game, it would be better and fit what they were going for.