Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Drift Across Dimensions!

Tagline

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (ソニックレーシングクロスワールド, Sonikku Reshingu Kurosu Warudo) is a 2025 kart racing game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. A spin-off in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it draws on characters and ideas from earlier Sonic racing titles while introducing the “CrossWorld” mechanic, which sends racers through Travel Rings into different worlds in the middle of a race. The roster is centered on characters from the Sonic universe, with additional racers from other Sega properties and outside franchises added through downloadable content.[3]Thalia Piedra. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds gameplay revealed, new mechanics detailed. PlayStation.Blog. 12 February 2025. accessed 18 February 2025[4]SEGA® Fully Unveils Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds™. Cosmocover. 13 February 2025. accessed 18 February 2025[5]https://asia.sega.com/SonicRacingCrossWorlds/en/news/20250607minecraft.html

The game was first announced at The Game Awards 2024 on December 12, 2024. A Closed Network Test for PlayStation 5 followed on February 22, 2025, and a Open Network Test for multiple platforms was later held from August 29 to September 1, 2025.[6]Archived PlayStation Blog page[7]Archived SEGA Asia page[8]Ghostarchive snapshot. “Original post: https://x.com/SonicOfficialJP/status/1889799999204294869?mx=2”

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launched worldwide for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 25, 2025, followed by a Nintendo Switch 2 version on December 4, 2025; a physical Switch 2 release followed on March 26, 2026, or April 10, 2026 in Japan.[9]Sonic Racing: Crosswords - on Steam. Steam. accessed 18 February 2025[10]https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicRacingCrossWorlds/news/20260113sw2.html An animated short promoting the game was released on August 29, 2025, and a tie-in one-shot comic published by IDW Publishing followed on March 4, 2026.[9]Sonic Racing: Crosswords - on Steam. Steam. accessed 18 February 2025

CrossWorlds received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise going to its gameplay and customization features, although some reviews were more critical of its single-player content and the presentation of its downloadable characters.

On this page

Gameplay

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game similar to Team Sonic Racing (2019), though it does not retain that game’s cooperative team racing mechanic in normal gameplay.[11]Ed Nightingale. Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing. Eurogamer.net. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 12, 2025. en. Archived version[12]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version Players race against up to 11 opponents in three-lap races, collecting Rings to raise their top speed, using items from Item Boxes, and building speed through drifting and mid-air tricks.[12]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version[13]Cristina Alexander. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is already giving Mario Kart a run for its money. Digital Trends. 2025-02-27. accessed 2025-08-30. archived March 2, 2025. Archived version Four speed options are available, which also act as the race difficulty settings: Normal Speed, High Speed, Sonic Speed, and Super Sonic Speed.[14]Chris Scullion. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds review: A great alternative to Mario Kart's new open-world focus. Video Games Chronicle. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025

Players can choose between standard race cars, which transform into boat and air forms at different points in a course, or Extreme Gear hoverboards from the Sonic Riders series.[15]Thomas Cunliffe. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Features Extreme Gear, Transforming, and Cream the Rabbit. Siliconera. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en-US. Archived version Air forms can drift like land vehicles, while boat forms perform Charge Jumps that can be chained into additional tricks. Unlike earlier Sonic racing titles, characters are not restricted to their own signature vehicles, and machines can be selected across five stat types: Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Power, and Boost, with the Boost type reserved for Extreme Gear.[12]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version Vehicles can also be customized by mixing front and rear parts and applying paint jobs, decals, horns, and auras, while performance can be further adjusted with over 70 unlockable Gadgets placed on a Gadget Plate that expands from two to six slots.[12]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version[16]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for Switch 2 launches this holiday, 'Customization and Gadgets' trailer. Gematsu. July 16, 2025. accessed July 16, 2025. archived July 16, 2025. Archived version

The game’s main mechanic is the use of Travel Rings, which appear near the end of the first lap and send racers into alternate courses known as CrossWorlds.[11]Ed Nightingale. Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing. Eurogamer.net. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 12, 2025. en. Archived version The leading racer chooses between two Travel Rings, one tied to a visible destination and the other to a random route, after which the entire field enters the selected CrossWorld for the second lap before returning to the original course for an altered final lap.[17]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. IGN. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 The game features 24 tracks divided into eight Grands Prix, while 15 separate CrossWorlds can appear during races.[17]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. IGN. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 The returning main track is modified for the last lap with new routes, hazards, Dash Panel placements, Shortcut Rings, and item layouts, and after clearing the Egg Grand Prix, standard tracks can also begin appearing as random CrossWorld destinations.

Some Travel Rings can trigger Frenzy events, which temporarily change the selected CrossWorld by adding effects such as extra Dash Gates or Dash Panels, reusable Boosts, faster drift charge, higher-level drift boosts, or additional Item Boxes and bonus Rings. Transformation Gates also return from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, allowing vehicles to shift between land, water, and air travel. In addition to standard races, the game includes Grand Prix play, local multiplayer, split-screen support, and online multiplayer for up to 12 players.

Characters

The playable roster in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the largest in a Sonic racing game to date, with the final lineup planned to exceed 50 characters once all downloadable content is included.[18]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds debut trailer, screenshots. Gematsu. February 12, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived April 6, 2025. Archived version[19]Stephen Tailby. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Free and Paid DLC Adds Guests from Minecraft, Like a Dragon, More. Push Square. June 7, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived July 12, 2025. Archived version[20]Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer Confirmed So Far. Nintendo Life. 2025-02-14. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en-GB. Archived version The game launched with 24 playable racers, although only 23 are available at the start; Super Sonic must be unlocked and can only be used in Grand Prix mode.[17]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. IGN. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025[21]Billy Givens. How to unlock all Sonic Racing Crossworlds characters and tracks. PCGamesN. September 25, 2025. accessed October 16, 2025 The base roster draws from across the Sonic the Hedgehog series and includes characters such as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream and Cheese, Big, Silver, Blaze, Shadow, Rouge, E-123 Omega, the Chaotix members Vector, Espio, and Charmy Bee, the Babylon Rogues members Jet, Wave, and Storm, as well as Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic, Egg Pawn, Sage, Zavok, and Zazz.[11]Ed Nightingale. Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing. Eurogamer.net. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 12, 2025. en. Archived version[20]Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer Confirmed So Far. Nintendo Life. 2025-02-14. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en-GB. Archived version

The roster expanded further through post-launch content. A premium Season Pass adds 15 guest characters from external properties across six waves, while also including the Sonic Prime Character Pack with Tails Nine, Knuckles the Dread, and Rusty Rose. Werehog from Sonic Unleashed was also offered as a pre-order bonus.[22]Brendan Hesse. Sonic Racing: CrossWorld Preorders Are Live On Console And PC. GameSpot. June 6, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. Archived version[23]Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version[24]Scott McCrae. Sonic's Takashi Iizuka dunks on Mario Kart World as Sonic Racing CrossWorlds unveils Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft Steve. GamesRadar+. June 6, 2025. accessed June 6, 2025. archived June 7, 2025. Archived version[25]Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Officially Reveals Nickelodeon Collaboration. Nintendo Life. June 22, 2025. accessed June 22, 2025. archived June 22, 2025. Archived version[26]Chris Scullion. Sonic and Pac-Man's next games will have crossover DLC featuring each other. Video Games Chronicle. August 19, 2025. accessed August 19, 2025. archived August 28, 2025. Archived version[27]Chris Scullion. Mega Man has officially been confirmed as a Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC character. VGC. September 24, 2025. accessed September 24, 2025. archived September 25, 2025. Archived version[28]Mega Man Pack Now Available in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds With New Racers, Course, and Event. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026 Paid guest racers released for the game include characters from Minecraft, SpongeBob and Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants, Pac-Man, and Mega Man and Proto Man from Mega Man, while Sega also committed to free monthly character updates through the end of 2026.[24]Scott McCrae. Sonic's Takashi Iizuka dunks on Mario Kart World as Sonic Racing CrossWorlds unveils Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft Steve. GamesRadar+. June 6, 2025. accessed June 6, 2025. archived June 7, 2025. Archived version[23]Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version[29]Kaan Serin. Persona 5 and Hatsune Miku aren't enough - Sega confirms Mario Kart World rival Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will get new characters every month. GamesRadar+. June 12, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 13, 2025. Archived version

Free post-launch additions include Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona 5, Ichiban Kasuga, NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle the Lemur, Whisper the Wolf, Red from Angry Birds, Goro Majima, and Arle.[30]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC 'SpongeBob SquarePants Pack' launches in November; free character updates NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle, and Whisper to follow. Gematsu. November 11, 2025. accessed November 11, 2025. archived November 12, 2025. Archived version[31]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds free character updates Red, Goro Majima, and Arle announced. Gematsu. March 16, 2026. accessed March 16, 2026 Beyond the playable lineup, the game also includes numerous non-playable cameos from across the Sonic franchise and its crossover properties through track set dressing, hazards, stickers, and other cosmetic elements.

Development

Sonic Team began developing Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds in 2022, with members of the development staff behind the Initial D arcade racing games also contributing to the project.[32]Kalai Chik. Sonic Team Studio Head Takashi Iizuka's Bid to Appeal to Japanese and Global Audiences Through Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Anime News Network. June 12, 2025. accessed July 7, 2025. archived July 8, 2025. Archived version[33]Amber V. Initial D arcade developers involved in Sega's new Sonic racing game. AUTOMATON WEST. 2025-02-14. accessed 2025-02-15. en-US The developers approached the game as a broad celebration of the series’ racing history, combining ideas from earlier titles by bringing back both transforming vehicles and Extreme Gear hoverboards.[34]Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Confirms SEGA Characters, Extreme Gear, And Much More. Pure Xbox. February 13, 2025. accessed February 16, 2025. archived February 14, 2025. Archived version

The game’s central Travel Ring mechanic was inspired partly by the use of rings as portals in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, as well as producer Ryuichi Taki’s childhood memories of driving through long tunnels and emerging into completely different surroundings.[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version Sega’s arcade racing background also shaped the structure of the courses, with the team aiming to make each lap feel distinct in order to keep races dynamic from start to finish.[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version Taki noted that Extreme Gear proved particularly difficult to implement because it required the creation of a separate gameplay system to make it function properly alongside the standard vehicles.[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version

During development, the team focused first on the basic feel of racing and course layout before introducing items, and removed items they felt were too frustrating or too dominant in play.[36]Ali Jones. Veteran Sonic producer says Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds team completely removed items from the game if they were too "stressful" or let players "win all the time". GamesRadar+. June 22, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025 Creative director Masaru Kobayakawa also drew on his experience with arcade card games when balancing the Gadget system, aiming to give loadout choices enough edge to support a meaningful metagame.[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version According to Taki, the balance of the power-ups was adjusted heavily after feedback from the closed beta test.[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version

Takashi Iizuka said the project was conceived first and foremost as a Sonic racing game, but that fan disappointment over the lack of crossover material in Team Sonic Racing influenced the decision to add more guest content through downloadable content.[23]Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version He also stated that because the Sonic series has historically performed most strongly in western markets, some guest selections were chosen with Japanese appeal in mind.[32]Kalai Chik. Sonic Team Studio Head Takashi Iizuka's Bid to Appeal to Japanese and Global Audiences Through Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Anime News Network. June 12, 2025. accessed July 7, 2025. archived July 8, 2025. Archived version The downloadable guest characters do not feature voice acting, which Iizuka attributed to the lengthy approval process involved when working with external licensors.[37]Iizuka explains how Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC guest characters were chosen and why they don't have voices. Destructoid. August 26, 2025. accessed August 26, 2025. archived August 26, 2025. Archived version

Music

Takahiro Kai served as sound director and lead composer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and also composed the main theme, “Sonic Racing – Cross the Worlds“, which features lyrics and vocals by James Bourne of Busted.[38]Wait, 'Busted' Member Is The Singer Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' Opening?. Nintendo Life. July 3, 2025. accessed July 3, 2025. archived July 3, 2025. Archived version The song was first publicly revealed on 3 July 2025. The credits also feature “Get Higher” by Creepy Nuts.[39]Luca Rago. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. IGN Italia. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025. archived October 30, 2025. it. Archived version

Other contributors to the soundtrack include Sega composers Tomoya Ohtani, Tae Fujimoto, Jun Senoue, Kanon Oguni, Iona Takashima, Satoshi Okamura, Hidekuni Horita, and Makoto Tokuyama, alongside guest musicians Riot, Giga, Tee Lopes, Zardonic, Camellia, TORIENA, Nanobii, Aiobahn, and Laur.[40]Sonic_Hedgehog. “Slip into cruise control with this special Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DJ Mix created by @Ohtanitter! Enjoy remixes from @GigaMozuku, @cametek, @toriena, @TeeLopes, @nanobii, ZARDONIC, & Jun Senoue of @crush40!”. Tweet 1956023006112694660. August 14, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. Tweet[41]SEGA Shares Latest OST Video for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. August 29, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. archived September 7, 2025. Archived version A set of five songs by Vocaloid musicians Kairiki Bear, cosMo@Bousou-P, Yunosuke, Ponchi♪, and Camellia also appears in the game as part of the “Project Onsoku” collaboration with Hatsune Miku.[42]Kite Stenbuck. Project ONSOKU Stars Hatsune Miku and Sonic the Hedgehog. Siliconera. August 28, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. archived August 29, 2025. Archived version Additional songs were later added through free updates and paid downloadable content.

The official soundtrack album, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Original Soundtrack – Echoes of Dimensions, was announced for pre-order on 14 October 2025 and released on 26 November 2025. It contains 208 tracks, including jingles, across four CDs. Music from the game’s Minecraft World content was later released separately in December 2025, alongside a teaser for the Overworld lap and final lap themes.

The game also features a Jukebox containing music from Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and selections from earlier games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Each track has a regular version and a “Final Lap ver.”, with the latter generally starting from a later section of the music.

Release

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was first announced with a teaser trailer at The Game Awards 2024 on December 12, 2024.[43]Wesley Yin-Poole. The Next Big Sonic Game Is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - The Game Awards 2024. IGN. 2024-12-13. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 5, 2025. en. Archived version Its first gameplay trailer followed during Sony Interactive Entertainment‘s State of Play on February 12, 2025.[44]Shaun Prescott. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds looks like a return to the over-the-top arcade fun of All-Star Racing Transformed, and we'll get to play it this month. PC Gamer. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en. Archived version[45]Connor Makar. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds gets it first gameplay trailer at the Sony State of Play, as well as a network test later this month. VG247. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en. Archived version A closed beta test for the PlayStation 5 version was held from February 21 to 23, 2025, and an open beta for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows followed from August 29 to September 1, 2025.[46]Steve Watts. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Closed Beta: How To Sign Up. GameSpot. February 13, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived March 16, 2025. Archived version[47]Jesse Lennox. How to join the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds closed test. Digital Trends. February 13, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived July 8, 2025. Archived version[48]Tom Orry. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test to begin on 29th August. Eurogamer. August 20, 2025. accessed August 21, 2025 A single-player demo was released on September 17, 2025.[49]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds single-player demo launches September 17 for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC. Gematsu. September 10, 2025. accessed September 10, 2025. archived September 12, 2025. Archived version

In June 2025, leaked concept art and footage from an early build revealed several planned guest characters from non-Sega properties.[50]Zack Zwiezen. Sonic's Upcoming Kart Racer Will Include Minecraft And SpongeBob Characters. Kotaku. June 4, 2025. accessed June 9, 2025. archived June 7, 2025. Archived version Their inclusion was officially confirmed at Summer Game Fest on June 6, 2025, when Sega also announced the final release date of September 25, 2025.[51]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds adds Switch 2 version, launches September 25. Gematsu. June 6, 2025. accessed August 21, 2025. archived August 19, 2025. Archived version Takashi Iizuka later said he was disappointed by the leak, feeling it had spoiled planned surprises for fans.[23]Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version The game launched worldwide for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 25, 2025.[9]Sonic Racing: Crosswords - on Steam. Steam. accessed 18 February 2025 A Nintendo Switch 2 version was announced alongside the June release date reveal, then released digitally on December 4, 2025, with a paid upgrade path for owners of the original Switch version that carries over save data. A physical Switch 2 edition followed in late March 2026 outside Japan and on April 10, 2026 in Japan.[52]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 FAQ. Sega. accessed March 30, 2026[53]『ソニックレーシング クロスワールド』Nintendo Switch 2 版 2026年発売決定！ Nintendo Switch 版から有料アップグレード可能に. accessed March 30, 2026[54]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Now Available Physically. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026[55]Liam Doolan. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-switch-2-version-announced-alongside-paid-upgrade-for-switch. Nintendo Life. June 7, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 22, 2025. Archived version

Alongside the standard release, Sega offered a Digital Deluxe Edition that granted three days of early access on all non-Nintendo platforms and included the game’s season pass.[22]Brendan Hesse. Sonic Racing: CrossWorld Preorders Are Live On Console And PC. GameSpot. June 6, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. Archived version The pass rolls out in six waves during the year after launch, adding characters, tracks, vehicles, emotes, and music themed around franchises including Minecraft, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pac-Man, Mega Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Avatar Legends, in addition to a Sonic Prime character pack.[22]Brendan Hesse. Sonic Racing: CrossWorld Preorders Are Live On Console And PC. GameSpot. June 6, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. Archived version[23]Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version Sega Account holders could also redeem a code for the “Blue Star” Extreme Gear, which was later released more widely as downloadable content.[56]Jonas Mäki. Claim a free cosmetic item for Sonic Racing: Crossworlds. Gamereactor UK. September 22, 2025. accessed January 15, 2026. archived September 22, 2025. Archived version Limited Run Games also offered a Collector’s Edition with additional physical items, available to order during June 2025 only.[51]Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds adds Switch 2 version, launches September 25. Gematsu. June 6, 2025. accessed August 21, 2025. archived August 19, 2025. Archived version

The physical Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was released at retailers for US$69.99 and included the full base game on cartridge, while a digital version was sold at the same price. Day One physical copies also included the Werehog Pack as a bonus download code. The Switch 2 Edition supports access to Digital Deluxe Edition content through upgrades or the Season Pass, while the original Nintendo Switch version remained available from US$59.99.[54]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Now Available Physically. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026

In late March 2026, Sega released the Mega Man Pack as paid downloadable content, adding Mega Man and Proto Man as playable racers, the Rush Roadstar vehicle, the Wily Castle course, themed music tracks, decals, sounds, and six emotes for each character.[28]Mega Man Pack Now Available in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds With New Racers, Course, and Event. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026 The pack was included at no extra cost for owners of the Digital Deluxe Edition and the Season Pass, while also being sold separately for US$5.99; players who did not own the DLC could still race on Wily Castle and compete online against players using Mega Man and Proto Man.[28]Mega Man Pack Now Available in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds With New Racers, Course, and Event. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026

A limited-time in-game event titled the Mega Man Festival ran from March 26 to March 29, 2026. During the event, players earned Festival Points through online races to unlock exclusive rewards, with special team-based rules used for the competition.[28]Mega Man Pack Now Available in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds With New Racers, Course, and Event. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026

Reception

In pre-release coverage, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds drew a positive response from critics and players. In a preview for IGN, Jada Griffin praised the game’s broad customization options and the novelty of the CrossWorld mechanic.[12]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version Coverage of the closed beta in Digital Trends, ComicBook.com, and roundups of fan reactions similarly highlighted the presentation, gameplay, track variety, and large playable roster, with the races’ chaotic pace often described as entertaining. At the same time, some preview impressions found that chaos excessive and argued that several combat-focused power-ups felt unbalanced, an issue producer Ryuichi Taki later said was heavily adjusted following feedback from the test.[57]Cristina Alexander. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is already giving Mario Kart a run for its money. Digital Trends. February 27, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived July 13, 2025. Archived version[58]Michael Murphy. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Feels Like Sega's Mario Kart (But With More Chaos). ComicBook.com. 2025-02-28. accessed 2025-03-01. archived March 1, 2025. en-US. Archived version[59]Liam Doolan. Round Up: The First Impressions Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Closed Network Test' Are In. Nintendo Life. 2025-02-23. accessed 2025-03-01. archived March 2, 2025. en-GB. Archived version[35]Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version

Upon release, the game received “generally favorable” reviews according to Metacritic, while OpenCritic reported that 95 percent of critics recommended it.[60]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds PS5 reviews. Metacritic. accessed September 30, 2025. archived September 30, 2025. Archived version[61]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Xbox Series X reviews. Metacritic. accessed September 30, 2025. archived October 2, 2025. Archived version[62]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Reviews. OpenCritic. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025. archived September 18, 2025. Archived version In Japan, Famitsu scored it 33 out of 40.[63]Sal Romano. Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1917. Gematsu. October 1, 2025. accessed October 1, 2025. archived October 1, 2025. Archived version Critics were especially positive about the core racing, vehicle feel, and customization systems. IGN praised the fast, intuitive handling and said the rival system gave the game more personality,[17]Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. IGN. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 while Game Informer called it “the most well-rounded kart racer of the year”, even as it criticized the Grand Prix structure for making players revisit earlier courses in each cup’s final event.[64]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. Game Informer. September 18, 2025 Anime News Network went further, calling it not only the best racing game in the Sonic series, but one of the strongest racing games released in recent years.[65]Bolts. Anime News Network. October 12, 2025. accessed October 12, 2025. archived November 23, 2025. Archived version

A recurring point in reviews was the way CrossWorlds positioned itself against Mario Kart World. Chris Scullion of Video Games Chronicle argued that, by sticking with a traditional Grand Prix format and straightforward three-lap races, Sega had turned the game into a viable alternative for players uninterested in Nintendo’s newer direction.[14]Chris Scullion. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds review: A great alternative to Mario Kart's new open-world focus. Video Games Chronicle. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 Steve Watts of GameSpot likewise contrasted the two, writing that although Mario Kart World benefited from simplicity, CrossWorlds rewarded experimentation through its deeper customization systems.[66]Steve Watts. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review -- An Arcade Kart Racer For Gearheads. GameSpot. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025

More critical responses tended to focus on progression and post-launch content. Push Square described the game as a strong kart racer but criticized its unlock structure as grind-heavy,[67]Stephen Tailby. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review (PS5). Push Square. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 and GamesRadar+ similarly felt that repeated runs through Grand Prix mode could become samey over time.[68]Justin Towell. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review: "Even more frantic than Mario Kart World, this has the mileage to be a karting favorite". GamesRadar+. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025 The game’s downloadable content also drew criticism. Eurogamer was disappointed that Sega-themed crossover packs did not include tracks based on the guest franchises,[69]Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review - an exquisite handling model saves an overly disruptive karting offering. Eurogamer.net. September 25, 2025. accessed September 26, 2025. archived September 25, 2025. en. Archived version while Kotaku criticized the guest racers’ lack of rival dialogue and general voice acting, arguing that they felt more like decorative additions than fully integrated characters.[70]Kenneth Shepard. Sonic Racing Crossworlds Still Manages To Be A Great Kart Racer In The Face Of Crossover Slop. Kotaku. September 18, 2025. accessed September 26, 2025. archived October 2, 2025. Archived version

References

  1. ↑ https://sonic-city.net/2025/07/28/sega-partners-with-manga-productions-to-publish-sonic-racing-crossworlds-in-the-middle-east/
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m https://ghostarchive.org/archive/PiIZW. “Original post: https://x.com/SEGA_OFFICIAL/status/1968495364077687216”
  3. ↑ Thalia Piedra. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds gameplay revealed, new mechanics detailed. PlayStation.Blog. 12 February 2025. accessed 18 February 2025
  4. ↑ SEGA® Fully Unveils Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds™. Cosmocover. 13 February 2025. accessed 18 February 2025
  5. ↑ https://asia.sega.com/SonicRacingCrossWorlds/en/news/20250607minecraft.html
  6. ↑ Archived PlayStation Blog page
  7. ↑ Archived SEGA Asia page
  8. ↑ Ghostarchive snapshot. “Original post: https://x.com/SonicOfficialJP/status/1889799999204294869?mx=2”
  9. ↑ a b c Sonic Racing: Crosswords - on Steam. Steam. accessed 18 February 2025
  10. ↑ https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicRacingCrossWorlds/news/20260113sw2.html
  11. ↑ a b c Ed Nightingale. Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing. Eurogamer.net. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 12, 2025. en. Archived version
  12. ↑ a b c d e Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview. IGN. 2025-02-13. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en. Archived version
  13. ↑ Cristina Alexander. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is already giving Mario Kart a run for its money. Digital Trends. 2025-02-27. accessed 2025-08-30. archived March 2, 2025. Archived version
  14. ↑ a b Chris Scullion. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds review: A great alternative to Mario Kart's new open-world focus. Video Games Chronicle. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025
  15. ↑ Thomas Cunliffe. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Features Extreme Gear, Transforming, and Cream the Rabbit. Siliconera. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en-US. Archived version
  16. ↑ Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for Switch 2 launches this holiday, 'Customization and Gadgets' trailer. Gematsu. July 16, 2025. accessed July 16, 2025. archived July 16, 2025. Archived version
  17. ↑ a b c d Jada Griffin. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. IGN. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025
  18. ↑ Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds debut trailer, screenshots. Gematsu. February 12, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived April 6, 2025. Archived version
  19. ↑ Stephen Tailby. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Free and Paid DLC Adds Guests from Minecraft, Like a Dragon, More. Push Square. June 7, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived July 12, 2025. Archived version
  20. ↑ a b Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer Confirmed So Far. Nintendo Life. 2025-02-14. accessed 2025-02-14. archived February 14, 2025. en-GB. Archived version
  21. ↑ Billy Givens. How to unlock all Sonic Racing Crossworlds characters and tracks. PCGamesN. September 25, 2025. accessed October 16, 2025
  22. ↑ a b c Brendan Hesse. Sonic Racing: CrossWorld Preorders Are Live On Console And PC. GameSpot. June 6, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. Archived version
  23. ↑ a b c d e Chris Scullion. Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture. VGC. June 8, 2025. accessed June 8, 2025. archived June 9, 2025. Archived version
  24. ↑ a b Scott McCrae. Sonic's Takashi Iizuka dunks on Mario Kart World as Sonic Racing CrossWorlds unveils Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft Steve. GamesRadar+. June 6, 2025. accessed June 6, 2025. archived June 7, 2025. Archived version
  25. ↑ Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Officially Reveals Nickelodeon Collaboration. Nintendo Life. June 22, 2025. accessed June 22, 2025. archived June 22, 2025. Archived version
  26. ↑ Chris Scullion. Sonic and Pac-Man's next games will have crossover DLC featuring each other. Video Games Chronicle. August 19, 2025. accessed August 19, 2025. archived August 28, 2025. Archived version
  27. ↑ Chris Scullion. Mega Man has officially been confirmed as a Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC character. VGC. September 24, 2025. accessed September 24, 2025. archived September 25, 2025. Archived version
  28. ↑ a b c d Mega Man Pack Now Available in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds With New Racers, Course, and Event. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026
  29. ↑ Kaan Serin. Persona 5 and Hatsune Miku aren't enough - Sega confirms Mario Kart World rival Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will get new characters every month. GamesRadar+. June 12, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 13, 2025. Archived version
  30. ↑ Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC 'SpongeBob SquarePants Pack' launches in November; free character updates NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle, and Whisper to follow. Gematsu. November 11, 2025. accessed November 11, 2025. archived November 12, 2025. Archived version
  31. ↑ Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds free character updates Red, Goro Majima, and Arle announced. Gematsu. March 16, 2026. accessed March 16, 2026
  32. ↑ a b Kalai Chik. Sonic Team Studio Head Takashi Iizuka's Bid to Appeal to Japanese and Global Audiences Through Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Anime News Network. June 12, 2025. accessed July 7, 2025. archived July 8, 2025. Archived version
  33. ↑ Amber V. Initial D arcade developers involved in Sega's new Sonic racing game. AUTOMATON WEST. 2025-02-14. accessed 2025-02-15. en-US
  34. ↑ Liam Doolan. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Confirms SEGA Characters, Extreme Gear, And Much More. Pure Xbox. February 13, 2025. accessed February 16, 2025. archived February 14, 2025. Archived version
  35. ↑ a b c d e f Tetsuya Inamoto. ［インタビュー］セガのアーケードゲーム開発チームが手がける「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」は，ワクワクと驚きが満載のレースゲームだ. 4Gamer. accessed June 7, 2025. archived June 8, 2025. ja. Archived version
  36. ↑ Ali Jones. Veteran Sonic producer says Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds team completely removed items from the game if they were too "stressful" or let players "win all the time". GamesRadar+. June 22, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025
  37. ↑ Iizuka explains how Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC guest characters were chosen and why they don't have voices. Destructoid. August 26, 2025. accessed August 26, 2025. archived August 26, 2025. Archived version
  38. ↑ Wait, 'Busted' Member Is The Singer Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' Opening?. Nintendo Life. July 3, 2025. accessed July 3, 2025. archived July 3, 2025. Archived version
  39. ↑ Luca Rago. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. IGN Italia. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025. archived October 30, 2025. it. Archived version
  40. ↑ Sonic_Hedgehog. “Slip into cruise control with this special Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DJ Mix created by @Ohtanitter! Enjoy remixes from @GigaMozuku, @cametek, @toriena, @TeeLopes, @nanobii, ZARDONIC, & Jun Senoue of @crush40!”. Tweet 1956023006112694660. August 14, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. Tweet
  41. ↑ SEGA Shares Latest OST Video for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. August 29, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. archived September 7, 2025. Archived version
  42. ↑ Kite Stenbuck. Project ONSOKU Stars Hatsune Miku and Sonic the Hedgehog. Siliconera. August 28, 2025. accessed August 30, 2025. archived August 29, 2025. Archived version
  43. ↑ Wesley Yin-Poole. The Next Big Sonic Game Is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - The Game Awards 2024. IGN. 2024-12-13. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 5, 2025. en. Archived version
  44. ↑ Shaun Prescott. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds looks like a return to the over-the-top arcade fun of All-Star Racing Transformed, and we'll get to play it this month. PC Gamer. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en. Archived version
  45. ↑ Connor Makar. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds gets it first gameplay trailer at the Sony State of Play, as well as a network test later this month. VG247. 2025-02-12. accessed 2025-02-13. archived February 13, 2025. en. Archived version
  46. ↑ Steve Watts. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Closed Beta: How To Sign Up. GameSpot. February 13, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived March 16, 2025. Archived version
  47. ↑ Jesse Lennox. How to join the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds closed test. Digital Trends. February 13, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived July 8, 2025. Archived version
  48. ↑ Tom Orry. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test to begin on 29th August. Eurogamer. August 20, 2025. accessed August 21, 2025
  49. ↑ Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds single-player demo launches September 17 for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC. Gematsu. September 10, 2025. accessed September 10, 2025. archived September 12, 2025. Archived version
  50. ↑ Zack Zwiezen. Sonic's Upcoming Kart Racer Will Include Minecraft And SpongeBob Characters. Kotaku. June 4, 2025. accessed June 9, 2025. archived June 7, 2025. Archived version
  51. ↑ a b Sal Romano. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds adds Switch 2 version, launches September 25. Gematsu. June 6, 2025. accessed August 21, 2025. archived August 19, 2025. Archived version
  52. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 FAQ. Sega. accessed March 30, 2026
  53. ↑ 『ソニックレーシング クロスワールド』Nintendo Switch 2 版 2026年発売決定！ Nintendo Switch 版から有料アップグレード可能に. accessed March 30, 2026
  54. ↑ a b Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Now Available Physically. Sonic City. March 30, 2026. accessed March 30, 2026
  55. ↑ Liam Doolan. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-switch-2-version-announced-alongside-paid-upgrade-for-switch. Nintendo Life. June 7, 2025. accessed June 16, 2025. archived June 22, 2025. Archived version
  56. ↑ Jonas Mäki. Claim a free cosmetic item for Sonic Racing: Crossworlds. Gamereactor UK. September 22, 2025. accessed January 15, 2026. archived September 22, 2025. Archived version
  57. ↑ Cristina Alexander. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is already giving Mario Kart a run for its money. Digital Trends. February 27, 2025. accessed September 9, 2025. archived July 13, 2025. Archived version
  58. ↑ Michael Murphy. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Feels Like Sega's Mario Kart (But With More Chaos). ComicBook.com. 2025-02-28. accessed 2025-03-01. archived March 1, 2025. en-US. Archived version
  59. ↑ Liam Doolan. Round Up: The First Impressions Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Closed Network Test' Are In. Nintendo Life. 2025-02-23. accessed 2025-03-01. archived March 2, 2025. en-GB. Archived version
  60. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds PS5 reviews. Metacritic. accessed September 30, 2025. archived September 30, 2025. Archived version
  61. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Xbox Series X reviews. Metacritic. accessed September 30, 2025. archived October 2, 2025. Archived version
  62. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Reviews. OpenCritic. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025. archived September 18, 2025. Archived version
  63. ↑ Sal Romano. Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1917. Gematsu. October 1, 2025. accessed October 1, 2025. archived October 1, 2025. Archived version
  64. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review. Game Informer. September 18, 2025
  65. ↑ Bolts. Anime News Network. October 12, 2025. accessed October 12, 2025. archived November 23, 2025. Archived version
  66. ↑ Steve Watts. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review -- An Arcade Kart Racer For Gearheads. GameSpot. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025
  67. ↑ Stephen Tailby. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review (PS5). Push Square. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025
  68. ↑ Justin Towell. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review: "Even more frantic than Mario Kart World, this has the mileage to be a karting favorite". GamesRadar+. September 18, 2025. accessed September 18, 2025
  69. ↑ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review - an exquisite handling model saves an overly disruptive karting offering. Eurogamer.net. September 25, 2025. accessed September 26, 2025. archived September 25, 2025. en. Archived version
  70. ↑ Kenneth Shepard. Sonic Racing Crossworlds Still Manages To Be A Great Kart Racer In The Face Of Crossover Slop. Kotaku. September 18, 2025. accessed September 26, 2025. archived October 2, 2025. Archived version

Discover more from Sonic City ⋆★ Sonic the Hedgehog News, Media, & Community ★⋆

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.