For those who aren't into the whole racing scene, Sonic Rivals 2 does have a few supplementary modes to mess around with. Knockout is a Smash Bros.-like arena battle where you bop your opponents for precious coins, ultimately knocking them out when they run dry. It's decent, but a few plays in, you begin to see how limited it really is. King of the Hill fares a little better, as you battle foes while maintaining control of certain checkpoints. Tag Team is worth a mention too, a fine little variation of Hot Potato that costs you rings if you're not careful.

Sonic Rivals 2

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All of these games are playable with a friend, either through AdHoc multiplayer with two discs or Game Sharing with one. Squaring off against a buddy makes the game somewhat enjoyable, since it cuts out the unacceptable artificial intelligence.

Production-wise, Sonic Rivals 2 has an irregular rhythm. The graphics really bring out the best in the PSP, with great character animations, appealing level designs (harkening back to the glory days of old-school Sonic) and quick loading between each stage. However, the sound is excruciating. The background music is typical Sonic pop tunes, with some motivational dude pushing you with repetitive lyrics. The dialogue is hideous, especially when an AI opponent jets ahead and continuously taunts you, even if you're not in earshot. (Someone rip out Tails' vocal chords, PLEASE.) The sound effects are decent, consisting of ring collection noises and little explosions.

Sonic Rivals 2 doesn't suck, but it won't amaze you. The level designs are cool and the multiplayer is worth a try, especially against younger siblings. However, the game clearly could've been more, with a better emphasis on exploration and platforming, less gimmicky modes and a complete overhaul in the audio department.