Sonic R

Sonic R is a racing game that uses multi-3D polygons and was developed by Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team for the Sega Saturn and PC, the latter version being ported to the GameCube and the PlayStation 2 in Sonic Gems Collection. It was initially released for the Sega Saturn but was later ported for the PC. It is believed that the game was adapted from code originally written for the Sega Neptune.

Sonic R is the only appearance of the characters Metal Knuckles and Tails Doll, and the first playable appearance of Egg Robo.

Story
Sonic and Tails are enjoying a little time off from adventuring. The trip they have planned will be a nice, relaxing vacation. Or so they think...

Tails spots a huge sign alongside the road they are currently traveling on. It is a recruiting advertisement for the World Grand Prix. Tails then says, "Sonic! Sonic! Look! There's going to be a huge race with all the best racers in the world! What a great opportunity for you to show your speed and compete with the other great runners!"

Sonic thinks for a moment. He's the world's fastest runner, but participating in races is not really his interest. Something on the sign, however, catches Sonic's eye. Dr. Robotnik, Sonic's arch-enemy, is participating in the race. Sonic races off into the distance. "Wait Sonic! Wait for me!", Tails shouts to his friend.

Miles above the sign, a spy satellite focuses on Sonic and Tails. Dr. Robotnik snickers in delight, saying, "Now that you have fallen into my trap, Sonic, I will finally have the Chaos Emeralds, and beat you at the same time. With my new hover machine, and these new robots..." Dr. Robotnik then looks to his left, and a row of gleaming eyes gaze back at him. "Nothing can go wrong! Hahahahahahaha....." Little does Sonic know that Dr. Robotnik has learned of the location of the Chaos Emeralds.

Sonic is not the only one who will be racing with Dr. Robotnik. Sonic's rival, Knuckles, has learned that Sonic will be participating in a very important race. Knuckles never turns down a chance to be around Sonic when the action starts.

Amy will be there too. After secretly following Sonic to his vacation spot, she joined the race, hoping that winning will impress him.

Starter Characters

 * Sonic
 * Tails
 * Knuckles
 * Amy Rose

Unlockable Characters

 * Dr. Robotnik
 * Super Sonic
 * Metal Sonic
 * Tails Doll
 * Metal Knuckles
 * EggRobo

Courses
Sonic R has five courses:
 * Resort Island
 * Radical City
 * Regal Ruin
 * Reactive Factory
 * Radiant Emerald

Trivia

 * The game's theme music is also heard in Sonic Pinball Party and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, music from this game is also in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.
 * Every course begins with the letter R.
 * At the beginning of the episode "Dinner Out" in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle, Malcolm and his friend Stevie can be seen playing Sonic R in the level Resort Island. Malcolm is playing as Sonic and wheelchair-bound Stevie is playing as Amy Rose, who is the only character in the game on wheels.
 * During gameplay there is an orange Chaos Emerald. Despite this, the image shown when you beat the game with all Chaos Emeralds replaces it with a blue emerald.
 * The game never explains why Amy is riding in a vehicle.
 * In the development of the game "Mario Kart 64", Nintendo had already named as Mario Kart R in early 1995 as this game also has the "R" title. It was changed when the game was released in 1996 and Sonic R coming in 1997.
 * The R in Sonic R could stand for Racing or Racers, since this is a racing game.
 * Sonic R was promoted before it's release at Sonic's 6th Birthday Celebration.
 * Due to the prototype of the game, this was originally going to be Sonic's first appearence with the soles on his shoes. This was scrapped for unknown reasons.