A Guide to the Racers in Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing for the Wii

Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is a tremendously fun game on the Wii. It has colorful, but in some cases relatively unknown, characters, a hilarious announcer, excellent graphics, tight controls and the ability to turn off rubberbanding for those who got really sick of it in Mario Kart.

Each character in the game has pluses and minuses, and depending on your racing style, these can be used to your advantage. Here is a look at the game's racers and a look at how they might best be utilized.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The speedy hedgehog takes to a blue hot rod that offers a well-rounded racing experience. Sonic does not have the highest top-end speed, but his handling is above average, allowing racers to perform drifts relatively easily. Sonic's all-star move has him turning yellow and flying through the air like Superman. It is a decent move, but don't expect it to pull you up very far when you are behind. Play Sonic if you struggle with handling some of the other racers.

Tails: Tails "flies" in an airplane that hovers just inches off the ground, but don't expect him to gain any serious altitude. His handling is good, as well as acceleration, but he is just not very fast. Tails struggles to hold onto leads and has a difficult time separating himself from those behind him. His all-star move, a tornado that can cause those it hits to wipe out, is pretty good, and Tails can move up a fair amount when he uses it. Try Tails for a change of pace or if you're looking for a challenge. Don't expect him to be anything other than mediocre.

Amy: This cute pink hedgehog drives a pink VW bug-looking car that is reasonably fast and handles better than average. Similar to Sonic in many ways, the main difference between to two is her all-star move. Amy employs a giant hammer that she can use on those she passes. It is one of the better moves, but unless are a lousy driver, you'll likely be far enough ahead that you won't be using it much. Use Amy if you want be able to keep up with the faster cars without having to be super-precise with your handling.

Knuckles. I call this character "Suckles" because I find him to be one of the more annoying racers. He drives a 4-wheel ATV kind of a contraption that is lousy at boosting (which is an essential part of the game) and doesn't have very impressive top-end speed. His all-star move is similar to Sonic's, as Knuckles flies through air, but he also possesses a shock wave that will knock out those just in front of him. Play Knuckles if you want to really test your skills, as well as your patience.

Shadow: This black hedgehog rides a motorcycle and, like the other cycles in the game, is great for handling and acceleration. Shadow is also excellent at boosting. His all-star move is reasonable, allowing him to fly like Sonic and Knuckles, even if his top-end speed is a bit weak. Shadow's main downfall is that of all the bikes in the game: He can get pushed around a lot by the bigger vehicles. Shadow is an excellent choice for those just starting the game and those who demand precise handling.

Billy Hatcher: Billy drives an egg-themed car that is respectable in all categories but superb in none. He tends to float around in the middle of the pack and has a difficult time holding a lead. His all-star move, where his car turns into a giant egg that he dances around on top of, is one of the funner moves in the game and can do a fair amount of damage. Play Billy if you are not outstanding in any particular aspect of the game or just want somebody that is really fun.

AiAi: This monkey drives a banana-shaped car that offers great handling but not much else. He's pretty slow and his boosting ability is average. His all-star move, rolling along in a giant ball and kind of "bowling" through the other competitors, is one of the weaker moves in the game and will probably not save the day if you have fallen behind. Play AiAi if you need excellent handling and don't like how the motorcycles get bumped around a lot.

Amigo: Amigo drives a sort of tubular jet car that handles as well as any in the game. He also accelerates amazingly fast. His top-end speed and boosting are his main weak points. His all-star move, where he leads those he passes in a kind of conga line, is bizarre but decent. Play Amigo if you want the best-handling car in the game.

Ulala: Pronounced "ooh-la-la", this sci-fi babe has the most sex appeal in the game, but not a whole lot else. She drives a white spaceship that is neither very fast and does not boost very well. It handles decent and accelerates decent, but her all-star move, which has a tiny alien drive the ship while Ulala fires lasers at those in front of her, is pretty good. Play Ulala if you like her looks or have excellent driving skills and want a good all-star move.

Beat: Driving a tricked-out, stereo-themed car, Beat is a solid character, possessing good top-end speed, great drifting and boost speed, a better-than-average all-star move, and fair handling. Beat's all-star move, in which he dons inline skates and spray paints his competitors, is a pretty good one, allowing him to make up a lot of ground. Choose Beat if you want a faster-than-average car that still boasts some decent handling.

B.D. Joe: This funky character drives a taxi and possesses strong boosting ability. His top-end speed is respectable, and his handling is acceptable. His acceleration is average, but he makes up for it with an excellent all-star move, which has another driving hopping into the taxi and allows it to accelerate rapidly. B.D. is a great choice for any driver who has gotten their feet wet in the game and is looking to step up to a more dominant racer.

Zobio and Zobiko: These zombies drive a dark, ghoulish looking car that has perhaps the best top-end speed in the game. It also boosts very well too. However, reaching that top speed is the big difficulty with these characters. Their handling is poor, and their acceleration is abysmal. The all-star move, where one zombie lopes along carrying the other, is average. Try these guys if you are a handling master and need a car with awesome top speed.

Ryo: One of my personal favorite characters in the game, Ryo rides a motorcycle that handles well, boosts well, and accelerates well. This should help him maintain a lead even though his top-end speed is a bit weak. His all-star move, where he hops in a forklift and tosses other cars aside, is one of the better ones in the game. Play Ryo if you demand excellent handling and speed and can keep from getting bumped around too much by the big guys.

Jacky and Akira: Driving something that looks like it could be a Ferrari, these guys are awesome boosters and have one of the game's best all-star moves. Handling and acceleration leave something to be desired, but they can catch up like nobody's business when they go all-star and Akira takes the wheel. Last to first is a definite possibility. Play these guys if you need superior boosting and want an all-star move that can save your butt if you are doing poorly.

Dr. Eggman: Sonic's nemesis drives a high-riding pod that has great top-end speed and can knock every other racer around. Eggman doesn't handle well or boost all that well, but his all-star move is the most devastating in the game. He fires missiles that blow away anybody that gets in his path. If you can handle weak handling and acceleration, you can give Dr. Eggman a try.

Chu-Chus: These cute characters drive in a spaceship-looking sedan that has some of the worst handling of any vehicle in the game. Sure, they boost well and have good acceleration, but controlling them is harder than controlling a 3-year-old who has just drank a Monster. The all-star move, which has a two-footed cat that runs around and "eats" the other racers is cute but only modestly effective. Try these guys if you are desperate or had a few too many and don't care much if you win or lose.

Big the Cat: This feline has great top speed and boost ability, but crappy handling and acceleration. It will be difficult for him to reach his desired high end due to his lousy handling. His all-star move, which has him riding a massive frog, doesn't do very much to overcome this cat's deficiencies. Try big if you are a handling wizard and can boost like there's no tomorrow.

Bonanza Brothers: Good overall stats and powerful acceleration make these brothers a threat in every race. Their handling could stand some improvement, but they boost well and have decent top speed. It is the all-star move that really kills these guys. They hop on a blimp and drop bombs on the racers behind them. They don't really accelerate much and aren't a threat to those in front of them. Try the Bonanza Brothers if you aren't worried about falling behind and love acceleration.

Alex Kidd: Alex rides a tiny-looking motorcycle that handles well and is one of the top accelerators in the game. Weak in top speed and boosting ability, Alex is also extremely susceptible to getting knocked all over the place because if his size. His all-star move, riding in a tiny helicopter and shooting other racers, is better than most but not serious enough to pull Alex into contention if he gets too far behind. Give Alex a try if you want super handling and acceleration.

Opa-Opa: This egg-shaped vehicle/creature has good handling and acceleration, but is a crappy booster and poor in the top-end speed department. Also, when he taunts other racers he passes, he makes it hard to see where he is going! He does boast the best all-star move in the game, which allows you to choose from ungodly speeds or powerful weapons. Give Opa-Opa a try for something unique. Anybody who plays the game has to try his super-speed all-star move at least once.

This is what I think of the characters in the game. Aside from perhaps the Chu-Chus, there is something for everybody in each of the characters. Give them all a try and see which ones you do the best with.