Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity has a total of 18 playable characters (19 if you consider Super Sonic seperate from Sonic), 7 of which are playable from the start and play a role in the game's main story. The characters are categorized in Speed, Flight, and Power formations. Speed characters have the highest max speed, flight characters have the best starting speed, and power characters have the best durability. Unlike the original Sonic Riders, Zero Gravity doesn't let characters take shortcuts (i.e. Grinding Rails) according to formation type, but according to the extreme gear they ride. For example, riding a Bike or a Wheel enables the rider to take power-type shortcuts (see Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity/Extreme Gear Types for more information). Replacing the original Riders' drifting and boosting is Gravity Control. Every character has a Gravity Control Device that lets them perform the Gravity Drift and Gravity Dive. Also, if a character touches an Item Box that has a fist on it, the character can enter "Attack Mode", which causes the character to run forward at high speeds, attacking enemies in their way, very similar to boosting in Sonic Riders. A character's and extreme gear's stats are represented by:
- Ability Type (char. only): Whether the character is a speed-, flight-, or power-type.
- Gear Type (gear only): Whether the gear starts out as a Board, Skates, Air Ride, Yacht, Bike, or a Wheel.
- Dash: How fast the character/gear can pick up speed.
- Limit: The character/gear's highest speed.
- Power: How well the character/gear is off-road.
- Curve: How well the character/gear can turn corners without the Gravity Drift.
Sonic the Hedgehog
It's everyone's favorite blue hedgehog, Sonic! A lover of freedom with zero tolerance for evildoers, this hedgehog is always doing his best to help those in need. Once again, Sonic jumps back on board as he races to try and solve the mystery behind the MeteorTech Robot Rampage along with his good friends, Tails and Knuckles.
Sonic's Stats
- Ability Type: Speed
- Dash: Lv. 4
- Limit: Lv. 5
- Power: Lv. 4
- Curve: Lv. 4
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Spin Dash - Sonic curls up into a ball and begins rolling forward, stunning opponents in the way.
Blue Star
Sonic's personal gear, re-engineered by Tails. Its sleek curves attest to those improvements.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases the Blue Star's top speed.
- Grind (50 Rings): Lets the Blue Star grind on rails.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases the Blue Star's GP gauge by 25 points.
Miles Prower
A boy fox who gets his nickname from his twin tails, Miles "Tails" Prower is always doing his best to help Sonic foil Eggman's schemes. He loves tinkering with machines, often building something to aid Sonic in his adventures. Although still fairly new to being an Extreme Gear mechanic, Tails is always working on ways to improve his gear repairing skills.
Miles's Stats
- Ability Type: Flight
- Dash: Lv. 5
- Limit: Lv. 3
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 5
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Electric Plug - Miles swings an electric plug around him while shocking opponents nearby.
Yellow Tail
Tails' gear built anew from the ground up with a body made from transformable morphing metal.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases the Yellow Tail's top speed.
- Air Ride (50 Rings): Turns the Yellow Tail into an Air Ride, allowing it to fly through Dash Rings.
- GP Gauge UP: Increases the Yellow Tail's GP gauge by 25 points.
Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles has been a long time friend and rival of Sonic's ever since they first met back on Angel Island. He seems to spend most of his time either guarding the Master Emerald, or tracking down the pieces of it. If he's not doing either of those things, he's hanging out with Sonic and Tails or treasure hunting. Said to be as strong as Sonic is fast, he brings his aggressive style of riding to the race.
Knuckles's Stats
- Ability Type: Power
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 5
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Punch - Knuckles runs forward. If he runs into an opponent, he knocks them silly.
Red Rock
Tails' bullet-shaped redesign for Knuckles' gear mirrors its owner's own explosive power.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases the Red Rock's top speed.
- Bike (50 Rings): Turns the Red Rock into a bike, allowing it to crash through obstacles without slowing down.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases the Red Rock's GP gauge by 25 points.
Amy Rose
Amy is a somewhat ditzy pink hedgehog and is Sonic's self-professed girlfriend. She follows the blue blur where ever he goes, constantly expressing her love for him and generally being a bit of a pain for Sonic. She likes having things go her way, and often uses her Piko Piko Hammer to make sure it does. Having run into Sonic and the gang after running away from the robots, she once again joins Sonic on his latest adventure.
Amy's Stats
- Ability Type: Speed
- Dash: Lv. 4
- Limit: Lv. 5
- Power: Lv. 4
- Curve: Lv. 4
- Unlocked by: Default
- Attack: Piko Piko Hammer - Amy runs with hammer in hand and smacks her opponents.
Pink Rose
Accevice Corp's newest model, re-tuned for Amy with specs to dwarf the off-the-shelf units.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases the Pink Rose's top speed.
- Grind (50 Rings): Lets the Pink Rose grind rails.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases the Pink Rose's GP gauge by 25 points.
Jet the Hawk
Jet is the leader of the group of theives known as the Babylon Rogues. Many people know him as the "Legendary Wind Master" due to his impressive Extreme Gear riding skills. Jet and the Babylon Rogues have set their sights on another treasure, one that has caused his and Sonic's paths to cross once again. Having lost to Sonic the last time they met, he's more determined than ever to beat him and prove once and for all that he's the fastest thing in the universe!
Jet's Stats
- Ability Type: Speed
- Dash: Lv. 4
- Limit: Lv. 5
- Power: Lv. 4
- Curve: Lv. 4
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Screw Attack - Jet pulls out one of his green feathers and runs at full speed attacking his opponents and trapping them in a tornado.
Type J
Jet's gear, redesigned by Wave. Full of quirks, nobody but Jet could master this peaky ride.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases Type J's top speed.
- Grind (50 Rings): Lets Type J grind rails.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases Type J's GP gauge by 25 points.
Wave the Swallow
Wave acts as the mechanic for the Babylon Rogues, as well as being the level headed voice of reason for the group. Although she is good with most mechanical things, Extreme Gear is her specialty, beating Tails and Eggman in both knowledge and experience in that field. Once again on the trail of treasure with the Babylon Rogues, Wave makes sure that Jet and Storm stay on task.
Wave's Stats
- Ability Type: Flight
- Dash: Lv. 5
- Limit: Lv. 3
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 5
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Wrench - Wave pulls out a huge wrench, twisting and stunning her opponents.
Type W
Wave's own hand-designed gear. Its ultra-compacted body stands as proof of her engineering genius.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases Type W's top speed.
- Air Ride (50 Rings): Turns Type W into an Air Ride, allowing it to fly through Dash Rings.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases Type W's GP gauge by 25 points.
Storm the Albatross
Storm is the muscle of the Babylon Rogues and serves as Jet's right-hand man. Fairly clumsy and simple minded, Storm has no problems with just following Jet's orders and getting the job done. He also has a habit of stuttering whenever he's excited or flustered, but seems to have it under control. After bumping into Knuckles, along with Sonic and the gang, an old rivalry is about to be sparked anew with Storm eager to settle the score.
Storm's Stats
- Ability Type: Power
- Dash: Lv. 2
- Limit: Lv. 5
- Power: Lv. 5
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
- Attack: Clap - Storm runs forward at full speed, smacking enemies in his way.
Type S
When redesigning Storm's gear, Wave broadened the craft's base to support his massive bulk.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Default
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases Type S's top speed.
- Bike (50 Rings): Turns Type S into a Bike, allowing it to crash through obstacles without slowing down.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases Type S's GP gauge by 25 points.
Dr. Eggman
A self proclaimed evil genius with an IQ of 300 whose real name is Ivo Robotnik, Dr. Eggman has been Sonic's arch-nemesis since way back when. A man with a passion for robotics, the Doctor has spent many years trying to pull off his plans to build his own EggmanLand, but Sonic and Co. stop him in his tracks every time. Eggman is the founder and owner of MeteorTech but he claims he played no part in the robots going berserk. Can Eggman really be trusted, or is this just his latest scheme?
The Doctor's Stats
- Ability Type: Power
- Dash: Lv. 2
- Limit: Lv. 5
- Power: Lv. 5
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Completing the Babylon Rogues' story.
- Attack: Party Staff - The Doctor pulls out a party staff and pops it next to his foes, their view obstructed with confetti.
E-Rider
Eggman built this bike gear himself, and it shows as every detail reflects his tastes.
- Gear Type: Bike (Eggman can only ride Bike or Wheel-type gear)
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Unlocked with Eggman.
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (50 Rings): Increases E-Rider's top speed.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases E-Rider's GP gauge by 25 points.
Cream the Rabbit
Like a little sister to Amy as Tails is like a little brother to Sonic, Cream the Rabbit is a polite litte girl and a recurring character in the Sonic series. She is adventurous like others in the series, but spends some of her time home with her mother Vanilla, whom Sonic saved in Sonic Advance 2. Cream returns in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity with her pet Chao Cheese, ready to show off her skills on the track!
Cream's Stats
- Ability Type: Flight
- Dash: Lv. 5
- Limit: Lv. 3
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 5
- Unlocked By: Completing Team Sonic's story.
- Attack: Chao Barrier Attack - Cream flies forward with Cheese circling her, attacking foes nearby.
Smile
Accevice Corp's kids model. Underneath its cute exterior lies power to match any adult gear.
- Gear Type: Board
- Dash: Lv. 3
- Limit: Lv. 4
- Power: Lv. 3
- Curve: Lv. 3
- Unlocked By: Unlocked with Cream.
Upgrades
- Max Speed UP (20 Rings): Increases Smile's top speed.
- Air Ride (50 Rings): Turns Smile into an Air Ride, allowing it to fly through Dash Rings.
- GP Gauge UP (70 Rings): Increases Smile's GP Gauge by 25 points.