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Graphics: 9/10

Very colorful and detailed. There might be some clipping here and there, but hey, it's a racing game. Draw-in seems less than other Sega racers as well.

Music: without a doubt... 10/10!!!

I don't understand why so many people out there hate the music... come on, it's a Sonic game, you gotta have some cutesy and delightful music. The music is very appropriate for the game, and damn, it can haunt you at night with it's catchy tunes.

Sound: 6/10

Fairly standard Sonic sounds, I just wish there were more, like him actually speaking, instead of the usual "boings" or "beeps".

Control: 7/10

Okay on a standard controller, a little better on the analog. But I never was very good at racing games, so I always need help with the steering.

Overall: 8.5/10

This game really surprised me. I thought it might be a Mario Kart clone, but it turns out it's unique enough to stand out. In fact, there's not much of an emphasis on beating the other players up--when you're racing you're more concentrated on winning. This game is also quite different from the standard racers out there like Rally or Touring Car, this game has what I might say... personality. The tracks have different environmental settings you must take into consideration, like water that slows you down like hell, bumpers, the traditional Sonic spring, and of course a Speed up area. And in this racing game, the arena is totally 3D. No more never going in reverse (it's devastating when you're seriously racing, but it's fun to goof off too). After finishing a race your racer reacts accordingly to what position he/she obtained--two hand champion wave if you placed high, or sitting on the ground with your head down if you placed low. And the music... well, you'll either love it or hate it (hopefully you'll love it).

Almost everything about the game gives it a good amount of flair. Though there are only five tracks (one hidden), they are WILD (we're talking 360 loops and going mile high in the air)!! So many different paths for each track, and then you can always try to add to the challenge and reverse them. The racers themselves are all unique, with each having individual merits (i.e. Tails accelerates faster than the others). The two player mode... well, it's good that there's an option for one, but in reality I don't think it's worth playing on split screen. If only they netlinked it... Other potential improvements--selecting to race more/less laps would've been nice (each race has a default of three laps). Maybe a more attractive intro instead of that still screen at the beginning. Whatever the case, Traveler’s Tales outdid themselves this time. The game is damn fun, and it's not just kiddie fun. I think gamers of all ages will get a kick out of this game, just remember that it's not to be taken as a serious-hard-core-racing-game, but just a fun racer. Did I mention that I like this game?