Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds may be zooming to launch sooner than expected. First announced during The Game Awards in December, SEGA’s latest entry in the high-speed racing genre has just received an official classification from the Australian, and earlier this month from the Saudi Arabian ratings board—often a key sign that release is approaching.
SEGA hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, but the timing of this classification suggests that the game may debut earlier than the franchise’s usual fall schedule. In past years, major Sonic titles such as Sonic Frontiers (November 2022), Sonic Superstars (October 2023), and Sonic x Shadow Generations (October 2024) all hit during the holiday window. However, a rating this close to Summer Game Fest—scheduled for June 6—has many speculating that SEGA could be preparing for a summer launch.
That possibility raises some interesting questions. If CrossWorlds drops this summer, it could find itself in direct competition with Mario Kart World, which is launching June 5 as a major release for Nintendo’s new Switch 2. Given that Sonic Superstars struggled with sales after launching near Super Mario Bros. Wonder, SEGA might risk repeating history.
Another consideration is timing overlap with Sonic x Shadow Generations, already confirmed as a Switch 2 launch title. Dropping both games too closely together could dilute sales, so releasing CrossWorlds early may give each title more room to breathe.
Regardless of the release window, SEGA’s promotional engine is already in full gear. The ongoing Racing Around the World campaign ties directly into the CrossWorlds launch, featuring stunt videos with Red Bull, crossover vehicles in Asphalt Legends Unite, and more racing-themed content across Sonic’s brand landscape.
With momentum building and a gameplay reveal expected soon, we may be stepping on the gas with Sonic and friends even sooner than we thought.
Stay tuned to Sonic City for more updates on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and SEGA’s accelerating release plans.
Crossing my fingers for a Summer launch for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, but given that Summer Games Fest is under 2 weeks away, we will have the answer(s) soon enough.