The Sonic Riders Trilogy, and The OTHER Worst Sonic Game | Mikaela Thorn

What was with that Sonic hoverboard racing trilogy? Why did Sonic Team tank it with an awful Kinect exclusive? Mikaela Thorn dives into the Sonic Riders trilogy to find out, and along the way, she'll try to find a fresh take on one of the hedgehog's worst games.
If you enjoyed this video, consider supporting me on Patreon for additional exclusive videos and sneak peaks, and access to my Discord server: / thornbrain
Intro animation by Dav: / davidsolm_art
Additional footage used from:
Caddicarus - 'The Horrible World of Kinect Games' - • The Horrible World of ...
Games Done Quick - 'Sonic R by Risuruuu in 15-28' - • Sonic R by Risuruuu in...
AntDude - 'Sonic on Nintendo DS | Double the Screen, Double the Speed' - • Sonic on Nintendo DS |...
Gamer's Little Playground - 'Sonic and the Secret Rings All Cutscenes (Game Movie)' - • SONIC AND THE SECRET R...
Gamer's Little Playground - 'Sonic and the Black Knight All Cutscenes (Game Movie)' - • SONIC AND THE BLACK KN...
TheRealSonicFan - 'Sonic Free Riders - Last Story' - • Video
Sonic Riders X (SAGE 2021 demo) - Giygas&Beatz - sonicfangameshq.com/forums/sh...
Sonic Riders DX - www.exgearlabs.org/downloads/...
ChaosX - 'Sonic Riders Overdrive (Project Riders) - WIP #2' - • Sonic Riders Overdrive...
ChaosX - 'Project '06 - Sonic Release' - • Project '06 - Sonic Re...
Also check out my Let's Plays with MugiStraw and JigglyJacob at TheStrawhatNO!: / thestrawhatno
==Chapters==
0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Part 1: The Fastest Creature on the Ground
2:30 - Part 2: Sonic Riders (GameCube)
7:53 - Part 3: Sonic Riders Zero Gravity (Wii)
16:20 - Part 4: Let's NOT Talk About Free Riders' Gameplay Yet
23:32 - Part 5: Ow My Knees
32:42 - Part 6: Conclusion
34:33 - Epilogue: Fan Projects
38:03 - Ending and Credits

[@thornbrain]

If you enjoyed this video, consider supporting me on Patreon for additional exclusive videos and sneak peaks, and access to my Discord server: patreon.com/thornbrain Also check out Dav, who drew and animated my intro and avatar! twitter.com/davidsolm_art

[@HalfTimeLazer]

Fantastic first video for your channel's "reboot," can't wait for more!

[@FazerGS]

What was this channel before? I'm subscribed and have the bell enabled but I don't recognize this channel.

[@abbynormal2419]

TSHN's Let's Plays were always a little more thorough and informative than average, so this feels like a natural next step. I've been watching you for a long time over there and I'll stick around here too. Love the lipstick, by the way.

[@ellagage1256]

I remember playing the first Sonic Riders so much as a kid. Tough and janky as hell but felt so fun once it clicks with you. The DX mod really revived my love for the game and makes me wish for at least a remaster. Also I love your outfit

[@UnbreakableTaco]

I had no idea you'd rebooted things over on this channel, so seeing it in my recommended videos was a delightful surprise! Better yet, this sort of content fits your general approach to game discussion and commentary exceptionally well, so it's a treat to watch. Re-subbed (since YT apparently unfollowed you for some reason??), rang the bell, and I intend to feed my sacrificial offerings to the algorithm god so this gets the views it deserves. and finally: Rocking the goth aesthetic and I am HERE for it!

[@thornbrain]

Thanks so much!

[@themilkman5004]

Always loved Sonic Riders and preferred over Mario kart when I was younger. It had more style personality over other generic cart stuff.

[@cactuardavid]

Great video, happy to be a patron. Also to anyone watching, turn on the subtitles: there's some extra comedic gold in there

[@moonphase4518]

i could tell you had a lot of fun making this video! And I am *so* here for your aesthetic!! I love your outfit and your makeup X3

[@RemLasher77]

Sonic Riders Zero Gravity doesn’t mess up your analog stick like Sonic Riders does with some sections in the game. I’ve lost Wavebird controllers via the forbidden Mario Party technique(but the GameCube controller is not as bad since there is rubber/silicone on the sticks though still)when they came up.

[@ivythay4259]

I have never had this happen before, and I've been playing the game for years.

[@LuckyPunkProd]

Looking forward to seeing more content like this! Glad you're doing well. 🙂

[@thacobell4700]

I was one of those poor souls that finished Sonic Blast.

[@thornbrain]

Thank you for your cursed service.

[@thacobell4700]

@@thornbrain Someone's gotta-wait. No, no one should do it.

[@DanieluYoshikoto]

I know this video is a year old, and don't want to be "that guy", but just a bit of caution. Stretching is actually for post workout, to help relieve tension in the muscles. "Dynamic Stretching", is used for warming up the muscles so they can bend better. I only learned that recently...

[@ivythay4259]

How is making the game slower, floatier and more shallow a good thing???? Also, you can have Shadow on a broomstick in Riders 1, so it also doesn't have that over it.

[@smittensamantha]

Firstly I am JEALOUS of your hair, gorgeous. Second, it’s really nice to see content from you again 💕 can’t wait to see more from you

[@BigBoyFargo]

Your style of let's plays and humor transferred perfectly into review format. Absolutely loved the video and I cant wait to see more!

[@puMa191000]

I have the Zero Gravity version of "Catch Me If You Can" as my ringtone!!!

[@fotdk1]

I almost thought jet was voiced by liquid snake because his performance as jet reminded me of his performance as puck from gut's rage.🤣

[@toothbrush_butt]

glad i've been blessed with this vid in my feed. quality vid for a relatively small channel. good shit!

[@ivythay4259]

Riders 1's ramp system works perfectly fine. You're just not using directional inputs to change your trajectory.

[@SoranotRoxas]

Interesting! I never got into the Sonic Riders trilogy of games. Thanks for covering this... I don't really regret not getting into the series 😅

[@ivythay4259]

Not the game's fault she's not skilled at them (except Free Riders).

[@funnygayboy99]

Can I say I love your aesthetic? Looking great Mikaela~ Edit:can’t spell

[@gxlestrada]

I would recommend playing Sonic Riders on PS2 and Sonic Riders Zero Gravity on Wii and PS2 as well

[@maugos]

Yay! This was great! Your style of humor is spot on as usual.

[@MalachiLper]

Also, if people did consider you their friend, they would absolutely want you to take a break based on how demanding it is to physically play the last Sonic Riders game, instead of using that to guilt you into something you’re uncomfortable with.

[@RemLasher77]

Someone is making a Kintect-less remakes of Sonic Free Riders’ tracks. The project goes under the title of Sonic Riders X.

[@turles201yt5]

There's a version that just came out not too long ago that patches the original game and makes it playable with controller, it's called sonic free riders no kinect patch, if you still want to finish it

[@darkgloomie]

Wait... You have a FACE?! That always throws me off. Cool to finally see this, I have no idea what these games were or like, most Sonic games to be honest. So it's nice to have a good summary wrappes up like this.

[@RemLasher77]

There were reviews of Star vs the Forces of Evil and some live action Legend of Zelda indie movie.

[@Zer0effort]

thanks cant wait for the next one

[@ivythay4259]

The Gravity Dive is very restrictive. Not nearly as fun or useful as the boost from the first game. Almost exclusively useful in their designated straightaways.

[@paruov]

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS!!! this is absolutely fantastic, and on one of my favorite bits of sonic history. (not in a good way LOOOOL) this is great!!

[@RemLasher77]

Was there a reason(if you don’t mind me asking)you took down the videos that were previously on the channel, Mikaela?

[@thornbrain]

I wanted a fresh start, especially after beginning my transition. Old videos of myself are bad for my dysphoria.

[@RemLasher77]

@@thornbrain okay fair enough.

[@RemLasher77]

“Cue Fresh Start” kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXzFZqljZbdmrrc

[@shadowwwwwwwwwww]

was half expecting this to be yet another online personality transforming into a vtuber.

[@thornbrain]

I was more tempted than you think

[@odmcclintic]

Awesome Thorn! Also…death to numbers!

[@jackcartou]

free rides have one patch without kinect

[@StylusShade]

20:41 Girl, this is a franchise about anthropomorphic animals; casual racism is practically obligatory.

[@AccelerateHedge]

37:40 welp

[@zylowolfzan3345]

I like your hat. Obviously the whole video was fantastic as well, always love to hear your takes on the Sonic games and its uh... lets say eccentricities? Sure, we'll use that word, it's the polite one. But also, I like your hat. Everyone looks good in a nice hat.

[@Solluna2003]

I wish divine intervention made you wait until Free riders got the no kinetic patch because I wouldn't recommend this game on anyone. The whole "your body is the controller" is a terrible idea, games are meant to be relaxing or enjoyable even if it makes you frustrated at some points. Not make you physically exhausted or in some cases painful due to repetition. Games that make you exercise intentionally or not aren't as enjoyable as laying on a couch with a controller after a busy/stressful day of work. They tend to not last long or not sell as much. That aside I love OG riders over ZG because of it's complexity with the type shortcuts, trick system, high/long jumps, & intense speed.

[@Omnicrom]

You should really do more videos like this, this kind of interesting Deep dive analysis. Or don't. Whatever. I'm not the boss of you. I'll just say if you make another video like this I will be all over it.

[@thornbrain]

Thanks! I'm working on a video for the Sonic Boom franchise that's exactly that. And a very... *very* long video about Sonic Underground coming out next week that's that idea taken too far.

[@Omnicrom]

@@thornbrain Glad to hear it. I'd love to see a Sonic Underground video given it's sort of this weird blind spot in the fandom that I know only as "that thing that kind of exists I guess"? Not an auspicious reputation.

[@thornbrain]

@@Omnicrom Yep exactly why I'm diving deep into it

[@fissionphoenix4995]

Too bad I decided to listen to this during a time I'd be driving instead of watching. Sounds like a better viewing experience than a listening one hahaha

[@fissionphoenix4995]

31:20 I feel like I'm personally being condescended to despite the fact I'm most definitely not that type of viewer. Like dang something about this section of your video implies viewers are just like that in general. I can't put my finger on why exactly.

[@lordrealashemtov5818]

i did play sonic riders in my past

[@RemLasher77]

I’ve enjoyed videos showcasing the jank of Sonic ‘06 specifically SGBLikestoPlay’s LP of it.

[@RemLasher77]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZnOZKRqgJ2ZkKc Here’s the multiplayer highlights from that LP.

[@thomaskoch748]

Bruh good shit for a first video. You look better in makeup for a young trans girl than I had help with from three different girls for crossdressing. I hope that brings you confidence.

[@lordrealashemtov5818]

u are very cool