{"id":1251,"date":"2019-06-12T15:55:58","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T13:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-team-sonic-racing\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T19:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:18:56","slug":"review-team-sonic-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-team-sonic-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Team Sonic Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sonic & All-Star Racing: Transformed<\/strong>, a solid multiplayer racer, was somewhat overlooked last generation, despite receiving significant playtime in our editorial office on the Wii U<\/a>. Team Sonic Racing<\/strong> makes no secret of its inspiration from Nintendo’s acclaimed Mario Kart (8)<\/a><\/strong>. The question is whether non-Nintendo platforms can effectively replicate that racing magic. The results are mixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"team<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Team Sonic Racing<\/em>‘s gameplay closely mirrors that of Mario Kart<\/em>, but it places a greater emphasis on teamwork. Item boxes can be shared with teammates, either human players or AI-controlled, who may benefit more from their contents. Success is determined by the team’s cumulative score, not solely on individual performance. This introduces an interesting dynamic, setting it apart from a straightforward Mario Kart 8<\/em> clone. However, this reliance on teammates presents both advantages and disadvantages. While a struggling team member can provide an unexpected boost to the overall score, conversely, a teammate’s poor performance can hinder even a flawless run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"tsr<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A more significant issue lies in the execution. Sumo Digital appears to have focused primarily on the game’s rules and mechanics, overlooking a crucial element in any racing title: the handling and overall feel. While Team Sonic Racing<\/em> offers appealing visuals with vibrant colors and imaginative track design, maintaining a consistent 60 fps on the PS4 Pro (though not consistently on the Xbox One X), it lacks the precise steering and finesse found in Mario Kart<\/em>. The Xbox One X version, which we specifically tested, exhibits an inconsistent frame rate, with frame drops occurring at regular intervals. This may contribute to a perceived sluggishness and clumsiness in the handling, adding unnecessary difficulty. The bonus track featuring slalom challenges highlights this issue. Furthermore, like Mario Kart 8<\/em>, performance degrades further in local multiplayer modes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"team<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is unfortunate that Sumo Digital did not dedicate more effort to optimizing the Xbox One version of Team Sonic Racing<\/em>, as the potential is evident. Adequate performance and responsive steering are paramount for a successful racing experience. The game’s presentation is generally well-executed, and the track designs offer varied challenges. The story sequences between races, presented as still images with text, follow a typical Japanese style and may not fully engage all players. However, they can be easily skipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, Team Sonic Racing<\/em> is a competent racing game and a viable alternative for players seeking a Mario Kart<\/em>-esque experience without access to a Wii U or Switch. However, for those with access to the original, it remains the superior title. Nintendo’s focus on game feel and technical polish ultimately sets it apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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