Sonic Riders brings together Sonic and his friends for a thrilling racing experience. Dr. Eggman challenges Sonic and his friends to a Worldwide Grand Prix, with the prize being an ultra-rare Chaos Emerald. The game's air boards allow each playable character to perform unique tricks and stunts, adding a sense of tension to the sports-style racing.
The gameplay in Sonic Riders focuses on speed and strategy. Players must navigate through tracks on their air board, using individual special moves to strike down opponents. Air is a crucial element in the game, as players need to fill up their air at designated points or perform tricks with their board to replenish it. Additionally, turbulence from other racers can be harnessed to gain an advantage.