> The typical Sonic gameplay survives Sonic's transition to 3D; the sheer speed prevalent in the older games is all too familiar. The game retains the distinctive art and colors of the Megadrive/Genesis Sonic games, easily serving as a reminder of its heritage. The first track, Resort Island seems like Green Hill Zone from Sonic 1, which is a testament to the blue hedgehog's humble roots. 

     > Five characters are initially available, including Sonic himself, and there are five hugely complex circuits to race around. Just like Nights, there's far more to the game than merely finishing each course in first place (though you might be tempted to rush towards the end like you would in the older games). Each beautifully detailed track offers multiple routes, adding an element of exploration and making the overall racing experience less linear. Some alternative routes require knowledge of the track layout, and some require skill. You can collect rings in order to access otherwise hidden shortcuts, power ups and chaos emeralds, while racing against four computer opponents who are all intent on winning.

     > Believe it or not, but the hidden fifth race track, Radiant Emerald, is constructed out of transparent polygons!

     > The two player split screen mode retains the amazing levels of track side detail and special effects of the single player game with no slowdown whatsoever. The scenery mists into view slightly closer than its does normally, however, but all the stunning special effects remain intact.

     > The camera angle will sometimes veer too far to the left or right of the track when making sudden turns, breaking the illusion of solidity. I only noticed this on the first track, though.

     > Each character has unique abilities that facilitate racing. For example, Knuckles can jump and glide, which is handy indeed for navigating around water, or finding certain shortcuts. Amy's car can float over water and speed along at an even faster rate of acceleration (but your choice of direction needs to be accurate because you have no control as soon as you hit that nitro button). Doctor Robotnik's hover vehicle can fire missiles at racers when enough coins have been collected. Sonic can double jump etc.

     > Familiar Sonic sound effects make a welcome return, such as jumps and rings chiming. All are crisp and clear.

     > The power ups include blue shields that allow you to travel over water, to gold shields that draw rings to you like a magnet. The classic speed power up seen in the old Sonic games is present too, doubling your current speed rate. To say the power ups are helpful is an understatement.

     > Once you've collected all five golden coins hidden throughout a track and managed to finish in a reasonable position (third or above), you get the opportunity to race one of the four hidden characters. Beat them, and they'll be available on the character selection screen. All are recognizable Sonic characters, such as Metal Sonic from Sonic CD. Seven Chaos Emeralds are also hidden in the first four tracks. When you find one while racing, you must finish in first place to keep it. A much sterner challenge than just finding them. Collecting all will make Super Sonic, first seen in Sonic 2, a playable character. He's extremely fast, but of course difficult to handle.

     > There are locked doors that require a prerequisite amount of rings to open up (20 or 50), making the accumulation of rings a priority. Passing over speed icons will zoom you along a path uncontrollably, and lasting according to however many rings you have (the rainbow-colored transparent trail left behind you as you move is beautiful).

     > The two player mode is great. Not only can two players race one another, but a quest mode has been added whereby both players must collect five balloons before racing to the finish line.