Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers

Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers
Latest version: 2.2
Latest release date: 2024-05-06
Original release date: 2024-04-24
Engine: Doom Legacy
Credits: Kart Krew Dev
Operating system: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux

This article is a work in progress. Its content and location may change completely and frequently until this notice is removed.

Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers is a fan game for Windows, Mac OS and Linux platforms. It is the sequel to Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart, and was originally developed as version 2 of its predecessor before being branded as a sequel.

Gameplay

Much like its predecessor, Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers's gameplay follows the standard of a typical kart racer, in that players drive around in karts with the ability to drift around corners and achieve speed boosts, as well as using items obtained from Item Boxes to help themselves or hinder others, and many other staples from the genre. Most of the gameplay is like its predecessor, however Ring Racers has a greater focus on momentum in that karts are now more affected by the terrain - going uphill will gradually reduce a kart's speed, while driving downhill will increase speed.

New to Ring Racers are Rings, which can be collected up to a maximum of 20 Rings. When collected, Rings can be used to receive boosts by holding the button which can help the kart gain speed up slopes, however Rings are also lost from being attacked, bumping into other racers or falling off the track. If a player has no Rings, they will enter a "Ring Debt" state in that they are more vulnerable to attacks. Collisions with other racers will make a player spin out from "Ring Sting", and further attacks can decrease the player's Ring count into negative values. While in Ring Debt, players can perform an Insta-Whip to defend themselves against other racers and attacks, however charging it too long will further decrease their Ring count. If a player is bumped or attacked at -20 Rings, their kart explodes.

Item Boxes function differently from SRB2Kart in that they present players with a predetermined assortment of items, and a player can stop the roulette to get the item they want. Item Boxes that have been picked up will respawn as Ring Boxes that will instead award a number of Rings depending on what symbol a player stops the reel on. Excess Rings obtained from Ring Boxes will be automatically consumed for Ring Boosts without having to press .

Another new feature to Ring Racers is for the ability for karts to perform a Spin Dash at a standstill by holding the button for a few seconds, then releasing for a burst of speed, however charging for too long will make the kart spin out. While in the air, karts are capable of fast-falling by pressing , though doing so will make the player's kart bounce upon landing. Some s will make the player perform Tricks, which are done so by holding a specific direction and pressing , launching the player in the given direction ( to launch forward, to launch upwards, or to launch in those directions). Successfully performing Tricks will award bonus Rings and Voltage, which will power up a player's drift boosts, though the player can immediately fast-fall right after a Trick to perform a "Voltage Drop" for a quick burst of speed.

Modes

Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers has a larger variety of modes than SRB2Kart. Some of them are played by only a single player, while others can be played offline for up to four players on one computer via split-screen, or via a local area network or the Internet for up to 16 players. Split-screen may also be used for LAN/online play, with up to four players able to join on each client. A variety of add-ons can be loaded to add extra characters, skin colours and levels or change the gameplay in various ways, and if any add-ons are required to join an online game, then they will be downloaded and automatically loaded upon requesting to join, providing the server has enabled file downloading.

To play online and use add-ons, a player must complete the Ring Cup in Grand Prix mode, successfully skip the tutorial, or enter certain passwords.

	Tutorial
	Players: 1 (Local) How to unlock: Played when starting a new game.
	When starting the game for the first time, the player is required to play through a tutorial sequence in which Dr. Eggman and Tails will explain the various mechanics in the game across five sections of Sunbeam Paradise Zone. However, the player may attempt to skip the tutorial by entering a certain door at the beginning, which will pit them in a race against seven Eggrobos. If they place 4th or higher, they will successfully skip the tutorial, otherwise they must continue with the tutorial. After the tutorial has been completed or skipped, the player may replay it at any time via the Extras menu.
	Grand Prix
	Players: 1-4 (Local) How to unlock: Complete (or successfully skip) the tutorial.
	One or more players compete against in a series of five races against up to seven computer opponents to score the most points and win the cup. If the necessary conditions are met, the player(s) will have a chance at attempting a Sealed Star at the end of a cup. In a Sealed Star, the player(s) must chase a UFO Catcher that is carrying a Chaos Emerald, and destroy the glass barrier with items or by driving into it at high speed before it reaches the end of the stage. If the Emerald escapes, the player falls off the stage or their kart explodes, they can retry the Sealed Star as long as they have continues remaining.
	Match Race
	Players: 1-4 (Local), 1-16 (Online) How to unlock: Complete (or successfully skip) the tutorial.
	Time Attack
	Players: 1 (Local) How to unlock: Complete a race, or skip the tutorial.
	In this mode, the player drives alone at Gear 3 and aims to achieve the fastest possible time.
	Battle
	Players: 2-4 (Local), 2-16 (Online)
	Players compete in enclosed battle arenas to destroy/steal each others' bumpers in order to score points. To win, a player must reach a set score, then KO another player, however they may also win the game by collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds. When a player is attacked without any bumpers, their kart will explode and they will lose points. To get items, players must attack giant monitors. If time runs out, the game will go into Overtime, and laser beams will gradually enclose the arena, reducing the amount of space to battle in. Any players who end up outside the laser barriers will be eliminated, and the last player standing will win.
	Prison Break
	Players: 1 (Local) How to unlock: Play a bonus round for the first time in Grand Prix.
	Special
	Players: 1 (Local) How to unlock: Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds.
	In this mode, the player can replay any of the Sealed Stars from Grand Prix mode and compete for the fastest time akin to the Time Attack and Prison Break modes. However, there are no medals to earn in this mode.

Replays of races played in any mode can be saved and viewed in Egg TV, selectable from the Extras menu.

Characters

Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers features nine characters to choose from by default. An additional 54 characters can be unlocked by completing challenges, and the number of characters available can be increased further by loading add-ons. Each character's driving ability is determined by two stats, ranging from values 1 to 9:

• Speed: The character's top speed. A higher value will allow the character to reach higher speeds, while a lower value will increase their acceleration.
• Weight: The character's weight. A higher value will allow the character to push lighter characters around, while a lower value will increase handling.

Characters are categorised by engine classes based on the combination of their stats (e.g. Tails is a Class A character). The combination will also affect how quickly a character can build up sparks while drifting. For example, a slower, heavier character (e.g. Dr. Eggman) can build drift sparks more quickly than a faster, lighter character (e.g. Sonic).

Starting characters

Character		Class	Speed	Weight
	Sonic	C	8	2
	Tails	A	2	2
	Knuckles	E	5	5
	Dr. Eggman	G	2	8
	Metal Sonic	I	8	8
	Amy	B	5	2
	Mighty	H	5	8
	Fang	F	8	5
	Motobug	D	2	5

Unlockable characters

Character		Class	Speed	Weight
	Flicky	C	8	1
	Caterkiller	H	6	9
	Redz	G	2	7
	Ray	B	4	2
	Cluckoid	H	5	7
	Eggrobo	G	2	8
	Mecha Sonic	I	9	9
	Espio	F	8	6
	Charmy	B	6	1
	Heavy	G	1	9
	Bomb	C	9	1
	Gutbuster	D	3	6
	Battle Kukku XV	H	6	8
	Bean	A	1	3
	Bark	G	1	7
	Honey	E	5	6
	Tails Doll	A	2	1
	Metal Knuckles	I	7	8
	Big	H	4	9
	Chao	A	1	1
	Tikal	E	6	4
	Chaos Zero	G	3	8
	Shadow	C	9	2
	Rouge	E	4	4
	Maria	D	1	4
	Cream	B	4	1
	Emerl	E	5	5
	Blaze	C	7	3
	Jet	C	7	2
	Silver	A	1	2
	Heavy Magician	J	?	?
	Whisper	B	6	3
	Surge	C	8	3
	Wonder Boy	H	4	7
	Arle	D	3	5
	Rappy	C	9	3
	Ecco	G	3	7
	Pulseman	D	2	4
	Headdy	A	3	2
	Zipp	E	4	5
	Vectorman	I	7	9
	NiGHTS	A	3	3
	Sakura Shinguji	E	5	4
	ChuChu	B	5	1
	Gum	E	6	5
	AiAi	F	7	6
	Orta	F	7	5
	Billy Hatcher	D	3	4
	Jack Frost	B	6	2
	Aigis	H	6	7
	Mail	F	8	4
	Azura Miura	F	7	4
	Carol	B	4	3
	Ring the Racer	A	1	1

Items

Items acquired from Item Boxes are either used instantaneously, or can be equipped. Items that are normally dropped from behind can be trailed behind the user's kart, however doing so will decrease the user's speed until they drop the item.

	Super Ring
	Gives the user 10 Rings. Excess Rings are automatically consumed for a Ring Boost.
	Sneaker
	Gives the user a short speed boost that can also be used to go offroad. Can also come in a bunch of three.
	Rocket Sneaker
	Allows the user to constantly boost until it runs out of fuel. Fuel will drain over time or as the user boosts, and will run out faster if the user boosts too frequently.
	Banana
	Trails behind the user's kart and can be dropped or thrown in front. Players who drive into a banana will spin out while still preserving some momentum. Can also come in bunches of three.
	Eggmark
	Trails behind the user's kart and can be dropped or thrown in front. When a player drives into this fake Item Box, they will drop their current item, and the Eggmark will make the player's kart explode after a 5-second countdown or when the Item button is pressed. Until the explosion happens, the player gets a sudden burst of speed and can pass on the Eggmark to another player by bumping into them, resetting its timer.
	Orbinaut
	One, three or four spike balls will circle around the user's kart. Can be fired forward or backwards, and will rebound off of walls until it hits a player, making them spin out and come to a stop.
	Jawz
	One or two Jawz will circle around the user's kart. Can be fired forward or backwards, and if fired forward will home in on the player in front, making them spin out and come to a stop.
	Gachabom
	Can be fired forward or backwards, or lobbed in the air by holding . If a Gachabom successfully hits a target, it will come back to the user for another use. Can also come in a bunch of three.
	Proximity Mine
	Trails behind the user's kart and can be dropped or thrown in front. Shortly after it lands, it will activate, and will detonate if a player drives too close to it. If driven into before it is activated, it will be bounced to a new spot.
	Land Mine
	Dropped behind the user's kart, the Land Mine flies into the air and then plants into the ground, and will detonate if a player makes contact with it or is hit on the head with it.
	Ball Hog
	Fires a bouncy ball that bounces until it hits a wall and make players spin out as if they were hit by a banana. Holding the Item button will fire a spreadshot of multiple balls. Typically comes in five.
	Hyudoro
	Places a Hyudoro behind the user's kart. If another player drives into it, they will have their item stolen and given to the user.
	Drop Target
	Trails behind the user's kart and can be dropped or thrown in front. If a player drives into it, they will be rebounded and the Drop Target will tumble away, changing colour with each collision from green to yellow to red before disappearing.
	Pogo Spring
	Makes the user jump while also giving them the opportunity to perform a Trick for extra speed. The spring will be left behind on the ground for a while, and will make other racers tumble uncontrollably.
	Invincibility
	Makes the user invincible, increasing their speed as well as allowing them to drive offroad. Driving into another player while invincible will send that player tumbling into the air.
	Grow
	Makes the user larger, increasing their speed and defense as well as making their items bigger, however they will still slow down from going offroad and will still be vulnerable to some hazards.
	Shrink
	Summons Poh-Bees that will swing shrink rays all around the track that will shrink other players. Shrunken players drive more slowly, have weaker items and are vulnerable to being knocked aside by larger players. The shrink rays have the opposite effect for the user, making them grow instead.
	Gardentop
	The user rides atop this item and can change direction while riding it using the Drift button. It can then be thrown by pressing the Item button.
	Lightning Shield
	Automatically forms once obtained and allows the user to make a thunderclap by pressing the Item button. This thunderclap can be used to destroy objects or make nearby players spin out, and can even destroy Self-Propelled Bombs. This item will also attract Rings, or make them scatter on the ground if the user cannot carry any more.
	Bubble Shield
	Automatically forms once obtained and allows the user to repel items and other racers by expanding the shield with the Item button. Holding the Item button long enough will drop the Bubble Shield behind the user's kart, and any players who drive into it will be trapped and have to escape by mashing and . The Bubble Shield can also be used to perform Bounce Attacks by repeatedly fastfalling in the air, but will pop if attempted in first place.
	Flame Shield
	Automatically forms once obtained and allows the user to dash forward by holding and releasing the Item button to charge. The shield disappears if it burns out completely.
	Self-Propelled Bomb
	Chases after the player in first place and explodes if it manages to catch them. When a Self-Propelled Bomb is right behind its target, the target will be unable to pick up Rings, and speed gates will be left in their wake to allow other players to catch up. To avoid a Self-Propelled Bomb, the race leader must drive well and avoid slowing down.
	Kitchen Sink
	An extremely rare item. It can be thrown in front of the user, and will instantly kill any player it touches as well as informing all players who was hit by it.

Levels

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External links

• Official website
• GitHub releases page
• Server Browser