The events of Sonic Rivals begin on the mysterious Onyx Island, which suddenly appeared out of nowhere, surrounded by an aura of secrets that cannot be ignored. Sonic had no time to think; he dashed forward like the wind along with Tails to investigate the island. But the real surprise wasn’t the island itself, it was what Sonic encountered upon arrival. Dr. Eggman, the eternal nemesis who never stopped crafting schemes, was standing there with an evil smile, holding a strange device. This device was a camera that could turn people and objects into cards. Before Sonic could even grasp what was happening, Dr. Eggman pressed a button, and in a flash, Amy Rose was turned into a stiff card as if she were nothing more than part of a deck. He didn’t stop there—he pointed the device at Tails and unleashed a wave of energy, making him vanish instantly and leaving behind a card with his image.

Sonic couldn’t believe what was happening, but anger flared up inside him. Dr. Eggman was playing a new game, and he had to be stopped at all costs. At that moment, Knuckles appeared, angrier than ever after discovering that the sacred Master Emerald had also been turned into a card. There was no time to talk, as Dr. Eggman disappeared after announcing his plan to take over the world by turning everything into cards, challenging Sonic and Knuckles to stop him. He fled, leaving the two heroes to begin their separate journeys to thwart his evil plot. Meanwhile, someone was closely observing these events—Shadow and Silver, each drawn to the island for their own reasons. Shadow was searching for answers after receiving a mysterious signal from Dr. Eggman himself, while Silver had come from the future after discovering that this event might be the cause of the collapse of time itself. Each one had their own motive, each one pursued something different, but their paths would all lead to the same inevitable confrontation where destinies intertwine in an epic race, not just for speed, but for survival and escape from Dr. Eggman’s mysterious trap.

Sonic Rivals for PSP is not just a traditional adventure like previous Sonic titles; it takes on a thrilling racing style that pushes you to dash at full speed—not only to save the day but to defeat your rivals. The gameplay combines intense speed with direct competition, where it’s not just about running, but also about using your intelligence and quick reflexes to stay ahead. As the race begins, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant 3D world that gives an incredible sense of speed and fluidity, while the running and jumping mechanics still rely on classic Sonic gameplay experience. The game features five main playable characters: Sonic, Shadow, Knuckles, Silver, and Metal, each with their own unique moves that give them an edge over their opponents.

But racing in the game is not just about running fast; it’s a constant battle against time and rivals. You can perform special moves to counter opponents and slow them down. The tracks are full of obstacles, loops, and deadly slopes that make each race a unique experience. Each world consists of three stages, with a powerful boss waiting at the end, where winning requires you to use your skills in the best possible way. The game offers multiple modes including story mode, where each hero follows their own path filled with challenges and thrilling races; challenge mode, which imposes specific conditions for victory such as finishing within a time limit or avoiding obstacles; and multiplayer mode through wireless connection, where you can compete directly with friends in ruthless races.