Rumours suggest that SEGA could be announcing a new Natal-compatible Xbox Live Arcade Game at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo. The new game - entitled 'Sonic Free Riders' - is thought to be the next, motion-sensitive, instalment in the Sonic Riders franchise.
The previous game, Sonic Riders - originally released for the original XBOX - is a racing game that takes place exclusively on hoverboards. As with most Sonic games, it begins with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles searching for the Chaos Emeralds, when three mysterious hoverboard riders smash through a window nearby - and one of them is carrying a Chaos Emerald. Sonic and Knuckles quickly pursue them on foot, with Knuckles knocking one of them off their board. The three hoverboard riders manage to get away, but leave behind one of their hoverboards, which Sonic immediately tries out. The next day, Sonic's nemesis Dr. Robotnik announces he is going to hold the 'EX World Grand Prix' - where racers compete on the hoverboards to claim the title of champion. He also announces that, for each entrant, there is a fee of one Chaos Emerald, and whoever wins will then take them all. Needless to say, Sonic and friends enter the competition.
The original Sonic Riders game.
In the new 'Sonic Free Riders', players are thought to steer their character using body movement, being able to pick up weapons by reaching towards the screen for them, and fire them by motioning towards other players. More should be announced at Microsoft's Project Natal event on Sunday 13th June, along with prices and release dates for Project Natal itself.
