- Back to: Sonic R (Saturn prototype; 1997-09-10).
General comparisons
A standard Traveller's Tales logo is used in the introduction, rather than a pre-rendered variant floating on water.
The preview has a different title screen, using art that was used fairly extensively in the run-up to release, but was relegated to the end of the credits in the final product. The final game clarifies that 
is a "button". Extra shading was also added to the SONIC text before release.
The menus are in a bare-bones state at this stage. The player accesses different options by pressing buttons on the Saturn controller, as opposed to using the D-Pad to highlight their choice. There is no music on these screens.
The first five characters can be selected, including Dr. Eggman who, in the final, needs to be unlocked.
Only three courses are selectable, and each have generic names. Reactive Factory doesn't even get an icon.
Loading screens are different. In this preview, a crude rotating CD-ROM reflecting the title screen is used, rather than Sonic's head.
Gameplay comparisons
The HUD has not yet been finalised, with many differences from the final:
- Character icons are crude, and the race leader's icon is larger than the others. In the final, the player's character has a larger icon to better indicate the player's position.
- The timer is closer towards the center of the screen than in the final.
- The map has no black outlines, and player positions aren't shown on the map. Every course in the game uses Resort Island's map.
- All elements are also semi-transparent, while in the final, only the map is.
Additionally, the race is started with a "3, 2, 1, GO" countdown with simple beeps rather than a vocalised "Ready, Set, GO".
Pausing the game just shows the text "PAUSE", rather than a menu. As there are no options to retry or retire, the player must press 
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+ to quit the race.
Characters can't yet collide with each other, meaning the computer will always take the same route without any chance of interference.
The computer also doesn't play by the laws of nature. AI characters frequently intersect floors or hover above ground, and come to a standing stop when three laps are over.
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles can't Spin Dash on the starting line, and it is harder to stop rolling when in motion.
The Lightning Shield looks a bit different.
The Ring Gates that exist require more Rings than the final.
Chaos Emeralds are a different shape.
A different font is used when completing a race.
And if the player comes in 4th or 5th, it says "GAME OVER".
After completing a race, there is an option to watch a broken replay of it. Selecting "NO" restarts the race.
In 2-player mode, the second player has no choice on their character and is always Tails (or Sonic, if player one is Tails), and Resort Island is the only available course. The HUD is again arranged differently (with the map only being visible on the second player's half).
Sonic Tokens and Chaos Emeralds still appear in 2-player mode.
Finish and both players will be awarded 1st and 2nd place, as opposed to "WIN" and "LOSE".
Time Attack is, for all intents and purposes, the same as Grand Prix, just without any AI opponents.
Course comparisons
References
is a "button". Extra shading was also added to the SONIC text before release.
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