In the Sonic Riders series, the player can use various attacks. This system enables then to attack opponents using a character's special move by boosting or finding an attack Item Box. During the attack mode the rider uses an attacking tool or runs on feet. In both cases, when the rider reaches other characters, they get hit, causing them to lose rings and suffer from other effects.
Sonic Riders
In Sonic Riders, a character can attack others for a few seconds when they use an Air Boost. While the character is in attack mode, the player simply has to approach the side of an opponent to initiate an attack on the opponent in question. The effect of the attack depends on the level of character, which can be raised by collecting Rings; collecting a total of thirty Rings will raise the character's level to Level 2 and collecting a total of sixty Rings will raise the character's level to Level 3. Attacks cause the opponent to become slow and lose Air and Rings. Higher level attacks will paralyze the opponent for a short time.
| Character | Attack | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lvl. 1 | Lvl. 2 | Lvl. 3 | |
| Sonic | 
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| Shocks the opponent by shouting "Here I come!" | Hits the opponent with a Spin Dash | Hits the opponent with a stronger Spin Dash | |
| Tails | 
|
|
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| Hits the opponent with an electric plug | Swings an electric plug around to hit opponents | Hits the opponent with a stronger electric plug | |
| Knuckles | 
|
|
|
| Shocks the opponent with a loud roar | Hits the opponent with a punch | Hits the opponent with a punch that twists them around | |
| Amy | 
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|
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| Shocks the opponent by making an angry face and shouts "Later!" | Hits the opponent with the Piko Piko Hammer | Flattens the opponent with the Piko Piko Hammer | |
| Jet | 
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| Shocks the opponent by sneezing | Hits the opponent with the Bashōsen | Twists the opponent with two Bashōsens | |
| Wave | 
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| Shocks the opponent by scolding | Hits the opponent with a wrench | Blows up the opponent's Gear with a bomb | |
| Storm | 
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|
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| Hits the opponent with a shock wave made by clapping | Hits the opponent with a tornado made by clapping | Hits the opponent with a double fist hammer punch | |
| Dr. Eggman | 
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| Shocks the opponent with a party popper | Hits the opponent with a mechanical boxing glove | Hits the opponent with a fart cloud | |
| Cream | 
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| Shocks the opponent with a sad face | Hits the opponent with a Chao Attack | Hits the opponent with a stronger Chao Attack | |
| Rouge | 
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| Shocks the opponent by blowing a kiss | Hits the opponent with a kick | Hits the opponent with a Bat Cracker | |
| Shadow | 
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| Hits the opponent with an orb of Chaos Emerald energy | Hits the opponent with an inverted roundhouse kick | Hits the opponent with a large ball of Chaos Emerald energy | |
| AiAi | 
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| Shocks the opponent with a yell from inside the Monkey Ball | Hits the opponent with the Monkey Ball | Bowls over the opponent with the Monkey Ball | |
| Nights | 
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| Shocks the opponent with an angry face | Hits the opponent with a glittery kick | Hits the opponent with a Drill Dash | |
| Ulala | 
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| Shocks the opponent by pretending to shoot them | Hits the opponent with her hip | Shoots the opponent with a gun | |
| E-10000G | 
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| Blinds the opponent with a giant light bulb | Hits the opponent with a spinning kick | Hits the opponent with their fist by spinning their body | |
| E-10000R | 
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| Shocks the opponent by splitting their head from their body | Hits the opponent with their fist by spinning their body | Hits the opponent by taking their head off and throwing it at them | |
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, Item Boxes with Attacks grant the racers the ability to attack opponents for a short time. During this "attack mode", characters can use Springs, smash through barricaded routes (though the character cannot earn Gravity Points by doing this) and access other special shortcuts. Each character has only one special attack which is different from other characters and can have varying effects. While in effect, the character's icon on the mini-map will flash red pulses. Should an opponent be in Attack Mode and is behind the player's position, the player will hear a siren emitting as a warning.
The Mag's Gear Part, "Attack Time UP," extends the duration of Attack, while the Big Bang automatically grants its rider an Attack power-up once enough Gravity Points (GP) has been accumulated.
| Character | Attack | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic | 
|
"Here we go!" |
| Hits the opponent with a Spin Dash | ||
| Tails | 
|
"Yeah!" |
| Hits the opponent by swinging an electric plug around them | ||
| Knuckles | 
|
"Hehe..." |
| Hits the opponent with a punch | ||
| Amy | 
|
"Ha!" |
| Hits the opponent with the Piko Piko Hammer | ||
| Jet | 
|
"I'll show you!" |
| Hits the opponent with a Bashōsen | ||
| Storm | 
|
"See ya!" |
| Hits the opponent with a slap | ||
| Wave | 
|
"Sorry, losers!" |
| Hits the opponent with a wrench | ||
| Dr. Eggman | 
|
"Out of my way!" |
| Shocks the opponent with a party popper | ||
| Cream | 
|
"Cheese!" |
| Calls on Cheese to hit any opponent that gets too close | ||
| Rouge | 
|
"Here I come!" |
| Hits the opponent with a Bat Cracker | ||
| Shadow | 
|
"Hmph..." |
| Hits the opponent with an orb of Chaos Emerald energy | ||
| Silver | 
|
"Let's go!" |
| Hits the opponent with Psychokinesis | ||
| Blaze | 
|
"Power of flames!" |
| Hits the opponent with flames | ||
| NiGHTS | 
|
N/A |
| Hints the opponent with a Drill Dash | ||
| Amigo | 
| |
| Hits the opponent with maracas | ||
| Billy Hatcher | 
| |
| Rolls over the opponent with a giant egg | ||
| SCR-HD | 
| |
| Rams into the opponent while making an electric field | ||
| SCR-GP | 
| |
| Rams into the opponent while making an electric field |
Sonic Free Riders
In Sonic Free Riders, characters can attack opponents by picking up several special weapons. These weapons are found on the track. Using a throwing, shaking, or swinging motion causes the character to launch the special attack that corresponds to the special weapon that has been picked up. Like in the previous two installments, each character has his own, special attack, which, however, can only be activated by picking up the Special item. There are many different attacks available:
| Attack | Effect |
|---|---|
| Octo-Ink | 
|
| Distorts an opponent's vision when struck | |
| Soda Rocket | 
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| Provides a burst of speed | |
| Bowling Strike | 
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| Strikes anyone in its way | |
| Target Torpedo | 
|
| Locks-onto and strikes an opponent | |
| Tee Shot | 
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| Stuns the racer in first place temporarily | |
| Free Throw | |
| Stuns the racer in first place temporarily (bike-type gear) | |
| Special Item | 
|
| Character uses their special attack when using the Kick Dash |
