Many other famous video game mascots have hit the race course, and now Sonic the hedgehog joins them in Sega's Sonic Riders for the PS2. Full of battle racing fun, Sonic Riders includes many of the classic Sonic characters gamers know and love. One of the most interesting aspects of Sonic Riders, however, is that it's not all about racing cars; Sonic and his friends also snowboard and skateboard. Sonic Riders begins with Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails learning that a chaos emerald has been stolen by three thieves known as the Babylon Rogues. To get it back, they agree to challenge the thieves to the ExWorld Grand Prix, a racing series set up by Dr. Eggman. Each character is classified as either a speed, air, or power character, and each has its own special abilities. Speed characters can jump onto rails to gain bonus points, air characters can use special accelerators to shoot forward, and power characters can smash through some obstacles without slowing down. Players can also perform tricks in Sonic Riders, and performing tricks will add to their air tank. The air tank can give racers a boost of extra speed or can be used to attack other racers, but every time it's used, its supply is depleted, so players will have to keep performing tricks to restore it. Sonic fans who like racing are sure to find the unique combination of karts, snowboards, and skateboards in Sonic Riders a fun, unique challenge for all ages.