Team Sonic Racing

Team Sonic Racing refines and advances the genre in creative ways that make it a must play for both kart racing and Sonic fans alike, which is easy to do thanks to its budget price.

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Team Sonic Racing is an arcade-style racing game that combines competitive gameplay with teamwork. Race with up to 12 players online or 4 players split screen, and use team moves to assist teammates and unleash your Team Ultimate. Customize your vehicle's appearance and handling, and use 14 offensive and defensive items to overcome rival teams. The game features outstanding gameplay, compelling visuals, a beautiful soundtrack, and plenty of humor, but can be very grinding and buggy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,397 reviews

gameplay160 positive mentions

optimization10 negative mentions

The game features fun in-race dialogue between characters, enhancing the overall experience.
The team mechanics add depth and strategy to the gameplay, making it unique compared to other kart racers.
The graphics and soundtrack are vibrant and enjoyable, contributing to a fun atmosphere.

The online multiplayer is nearly dead, making it difficult to find matches with real players.
The AI teammates can be frustratingly unhelpful, often dragging down the team's overall performance.
The game lacks content compared to its predecessor, with fewer characters and tracks, leading to a repetitive experience.

gameplay
471 mentions
34 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Team Sonic Racing is primarily defined by its innovative team mechanics, which encourage cooperation among players through features like item sharing and slipstream boosts. While many players appreciate the depth and strategy these mechanics add, some criticize the AI's performance and the overall balance, feeling that it can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging racing experience, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessor, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
- “The gameplay was addictive, and the team dynamics added a layer of strategy that kept races engaging.”
- “The team mechanics allow for new ways to play with friends and add a depth of strategy that I haven't seen in other kart racers.”
- “Team Sonic Racing successfully combines the thrill of high-speed racing with teamwork mechanics, offering a unique twist on the Sonic gaming experience.”
- “The team mechanics are incredibly refined and introduce a new spin on the kart racer formula.”
- “The team mechanic is frustrating and needless as you can place first, but if the rest of your team doesn't, their points drag you down the rankings.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are oversimplified, and the skill ceiling is lowered substantially.”
story
306 mentions
15 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story in Team Sonic Racing is generally viewed as lackluster and simplistic, often described as a basic framework to support the racing mechanics rather than a compelling narrative. Many players find the dialogue cheesy and repetitive, with cutscenes presented as static images rather than animated sequences, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the light-hearted tone and character interactions, the consensus is that the story is not a strong selling point of the game, serving primarily as a means to introduce various racing challenges.
- “While it’s not the game’s strongest point, the light-hearted story serves its purpose in setting the stage for the racing action.”
- “The story mode is genuinely good considering racing games don't usually have stories.”
- “The story is simple and fun, and that's all it needs to be.”
- “The story mode barely qualifies as a story and is basically just the same as transformed as well.”
- “The story is very bare bones; filled with recycled lazy interactions between characters, a disappointing and unfulfilling finish, and is stuffed with annoying challenges that seem pointless.”
- “The story mode is awful, just cringeworthy dialogue between racers between each race or challenge, just feels like a 10-year-old mobile game that was aimed at a 3-year-old.”
music
246 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its energetic and catchy nature, characteristic of the Sonic franchise. Composed by notable artists like Jun Senoue and Tee Lopes, the soundtrack features a mix of original tracks and remixes that enhance the racing experience, although some players noted a few repetitive elements. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its enjoyment and nostalgia for fans.
- “The soundtrack, true to Sonic tradition, is energetic and fitting for the racing theme.”
- “The racing is tight, the tracks feel unique and varied, and the music is phenomenal, with both excellent remixes and original pieces.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, with a great mix of remixes and original compositions that enhance the overall racing experience.”
- “The music is a huge step down from the previous titles, and I just don't know how to explain how weird it is to see these redesigns and new voice actors in a Sonic spin-off with no canon game to explain or tie these changes in characters... what a goddamn shame and a waste of time/resources.”
- “The soundtrack in this game is forgettable and was actually beginning to get so annoying that towards the end of my playthrough I muted the game and booted up my own Spotify library.”
- “Awfully designed matchmaking that doesn't lead to full lobbies, boring tracks (both in terms of levels you race on and music you listen to) and I swear you spend more of the game getting disabled by weapons than you do in Mario Kart.”
graphics
137 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their vibrant and colorful presentation, capturing the whimsical aesthetic of the Sonic universe, with many reviewers noting the visuals as a highlight. While some players experienced minor graphical bugs and performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a significant improvement over previous titles in the series, offering a visually appealing experience that enhances the gameplay. However, a few critics pointed out that despite the decent graphics, they felt underwhelmed compared to earlier games, suggesting that while the visuals are good, they may not fully meet the expectations set by the franchise's legacy.
- “Team Sonic Racing dazzles with its visual presentation, capturing the vibrant and whimsical aesthetic of the Sonic universe.”
- “The graphics are a delightful blend of modern visual fidelity and nostalgic nods to Sonic’s storied history.”
- “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, too.”
- “It's shown as a console port - evidenced by the saturated graphics and palette.”
- “Somehow the graphics in this Sonic racing game, a game that came out in 2019, are worse than the Sonic racing game that came out in 2012.”
- “I actually reloaded my game 3 times to make sure I was on the highest graphics settings and there wasn't some kind of issue with my settings because the cars and characters look awful and all the textures (even on the character models, yikes) look like they have had a nasty dose of compression artifacting.”
optimization
50 mentions
16 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems or laptops. However, others report smooth gameplay on modern rigs, suggesting that performance can vary widely based on hardware and settings adjustments. The presence of Denuvo DRM is frequently cited as a potential contributor to performance problems, leading to a general consensus that while the game has enjoyable features, its optimization leaves much to be desired.
- “The game runs smoothly on my GTX 970 at max settings 1080p, which is nice.”
- “The new features like the team mechanics, performance, and visual customization are all great and fun additions!”
- “Performance is really good even with Denuvo bogging it down; the game never stuttered or dipped frames for me, and the loading times are really quick too.”
- “Worst optimized game on Steam.”
- “This game is really fun but poorly optimized and buggy. Online is pretty much dead, but this is my most played Steam game and I really enjoy my time, so take that how you will!”
- “Sadly, the game is poorly optimized depending on your settings; some tracks like Mystic Mansion will freeze the game for at least a minute, and if you try to play these online, the lobby is more than likely going to get disconnected.”
stability
35 mentions
23 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting excellent performance on the Steam Deck but significant issues on Windows, including frequent bugs, glitches, and poor online matchmaking. Many players express frustration over the game's optimization and server reliability, leading to a generally buggy experience that detracts from gameplay enjoyment. While some praise the visuals and overall fun factor, the persistent technical problems hinder its potential.
- “Play on the Steam Deck runs great.”
- “On a positive note, the game runs great for me and can be played at uncapped frame rates unlike the previous game.”
- “Gameplay is solid, it's not glitchy, it's not buggy, and well thought out.”
- “Sadly, this game has potential but the servers are really poor and the game is a buggy mess online.”
- “It's incredibly buggy, barely works in fact.”
- “But no matter how good the gameplay in a multiplayer game is, it is for naught if the online is a buggy mess, finding no lobbies, and if you do, network errors galore.”
humor
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the witty banter and funny one-liners from characters, which add an enjoyable layer to the gameplay. While some remarks are noted as self-loathing or cringe-worthy, the overall comedic tone is entertaining, especially during races and character interactions. The voice acting and humorous modifications further enhance the lighthearted experience, making it a highlight for many players.
- “The banter between the characters is very witty; I really enjoyed the humor in this game.”
- “There's also a few pretty funny lines.”
- “A lot of the lines are pretty funny or otherwise memeworthy, and I felt compelled to put time in as each character just to hear what they say.”
replayability
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while it features various modes and online play that enhance replay value, some players find the single-player experience lacking in challenge and depth. Customization options and cooperative gameplay add to its longevity, but overall, it may not match the replayability of other titles in the genre. Players suggest that future updates could improve this aspect further.
- “The game offers various modes, including grand prix, time trial, and team adventure, providing a good range of challenges and replayability.”
- “It's a fun racing game, cool mechanics, excellent music, pretty short but replayable, grab it on sale for sure.”
- “Overall, Team Sonic Racing might have a few issues, but it's a fun, replayable, and innovative kart racer that I think will have some legs.”
- “Firstly, there are score-based single player events that exist only in the campaign mode; they can be a good test of proficiency for newer players but lack replayability.”
- “It's not nearly as replayable as other games in the genre.”
- “Single player has no challenge or replayability.”
grinding
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
-18 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it offers replay value and customization options that enhance gameplay, many players find the upgrade system tedious and frustrating. The reliance on item boxes and the need for extensive grinding to unlock upgrades detracts from the overall racing experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun. Although some enjoy the grind, especially in single-player mode, others feel it drags on unnecessarily, particularly in later stages.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “It takes the fun out of the race and makes it tedious.”
- “Mix in the reliance upon item boxes to charge the ultimate meter faster (which are random from the vending machine, only a maximum of 5 can be held in reserve at a time, and are used up regardless of the race ending in victory or defeat) results in racing feeling a tad grindy and frustrating.”
- “I have little interest to play any of the characters other than Sonic because I just don't have the mods for them; it's a tedious, unnecessary grind with loot boxes.”
emotional
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Players report a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from laughter to tears, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings despite a perceived lackluster story. The team-focused gameplay and vibrant soundtrack contribute to a fulfilling experience, though some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “I laughed, I cried, I felt every possible human emotion.”
- “I won't lie, I cried when 'Rooftop Run' started playing.”
- “This game excels in team-focused gameplay and promotes an extremely wholesome dynamic within each race, making every map and race feel individually fulfilling and different.”
- “The player shouldn't have to put in more effort than it takes to get a license in Gran Turismo just to see the ending of the boring story mode in a silly little Sonic the Hedgehog racing game.”
monetization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game features no microtransactions, allowing players to earn all in-game credits through gameplay. However, the random nature of unlocking character parts can be frustrating, as players may receive unwanted items instead of desired upgrades. Overall, while the absence of microtransactions is a positive aspect, some players feel the monetization system feels like a lazy cash grab.
- “Fortunately, all the credits needed to use the vending machine are earned through gameplay, and there are zero microtransactions (that would have been far worse).”
- “No microtransactions at all!”
- “There's also something called the mod pod where you use credits you earn from a race (no microtransactions) to buy random modifications for your characters' cars and upgrades for your items.”
- “There's no microtransactions or anything, but it can be annoying to want to unlock parts for a certain character you like, only to get random paint jobs or parts for characters you don't want, all because it's completely random.”
- “The tracks in this game are just not fun and imaginative like the previous entry, and this game just feels like a lazy cash grab.”
- “There's also something called mod pod where you use credits you get from a race (no microtransactions) to buy random modifications to your characters' cars and upgrades to your items.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally described as pleasant and colorful, contributing to an enjoyable experience, especially when playing with friends or AI. However, the disjointed team composition and story detract from the intended sense of friendship and teamwork. While the levels are simpler, they are well-designed and can evoke a strong atmospheric feel.
- “So far the game is fine, it's a good solid little kart racer with a pleasant atmosphere and pleasant colorful graphics.”
- “Playing with the AI or friends online in that atmosphere is more fun and enjoyable than the latter one.”
- “While the levels are simpler, they're still very well designed and some are even pretty atmospheric.”
- “The disorderly team composition and story mars the friendship and teamwork atmosphere this game is supposed to have.”