The game loads immediately to the main menu with everything unlocked.
Over 100 new music tracks added to the game from other Sonic games and SEGA franchises.
Players can select the same character.
CPU are removed from "Free Race" for true 1v1 competition.
Sections where you would roll the control stick (known as Quick-Time Events) are automated.
Your exhaust trail becomes teal when your drift dash is fully charged.
Drift dashes can be further charged, causing your exhaust trail to become orange when overcharged, and pink when fully overcharged.
The timer is placed in the center of the screen during multiplayer races.
You can press the Y-Button to toggle the ability to ignore Turbulence and Pits. This is indicated by a purple exhaust trail.
After leaving a race, the game skips memory card checks and returns to Stage Select for fast access.
Dash Panels and the Speed Shoes item increase the player's speed rather than slowing them down by setting their speed.
Players no longer lose all of their rings when falling out of the map or when attacked.
Power Objects respawn almost instantly during Power-Type mirror matches. This makes Power mirror matches less one-sided.
Deceleration no longer increases based on maximum speed, meaning it works the same at all levels. This enables "Boost Chaining", an advanced technique, to usable at all levels instead of level 1.
A new catchup mechanic, Slipstream, was added to the game. Similar to its implementation in "Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity", players begin to accelerate while following behind their opponent.