Gameplay
Sonic R is a racing video game featuring single-player and multiplayer game modes. The players select one of ten different playable Sonic the Hedgehog characters and participate in a footrace in one of five available race tracks, competing for the fastest time ahead of the other racers. The ten playable characters all have unique attributes and abilities, which fall in line with the respective character's usual abilities, such as Sonic having the fastest speed, or Knuckles being able to glide. While the gameplay is considered similar to kart racing games such as the Mario Kart series, Sonic R places an emphasis on jumping and exploration as each race track has multiple paths and hidden areas. The race tracks, while original creations, are thematically based on the art style and environments of classic Sonic games such as Sonic the Hedgehog's "Green Hill Zone" and Sonic the Hedgehog 2's "Chemical Plant Zone."
During each race the player is able to collect items scattered in various areas on the tracks that bestow advantages. Rings, a staple Sonic series item, are abundant on tracks; the player can exchange a certain number of collected rings to gain a temporary boost of speed or open doors leading to short cuts or special items. "Item Panels" bestow a random advantage such as speed increase or shields that grant abilities such as being able to run across water or attract nearby rings. Collection of other special items, such as "Sonic Tokens" and the Chaos Emeralds, may lead to the unlocking of secret characters.
Sonic R allows the player to select the type of weather ("clear", "rain", and "snow") seen during races. While mostly aesthetic, the "snow" option causes bodies of water to freeze, allowing a character to run over it, rather than sinking to the bottom and slowing down its speed. The player can also configure the game to randomly select the weather for each race.
Aside from the main game, there is also a "Time Attack" mode, where the player races solo to get the fastest time, and a two player multi-player mode.
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