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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Key art
Developer(s)Sonic Team
Publisher(s)Sega
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • WW: September 25, 2025[1]
Genre(s)Kart racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds[a] is an upcoming kart racing game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. A spinoff in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it is set to be released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 25, 2025, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for a later date.

Gameplay

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game, similar to its predecessor, Team Sonic Racing,[2] although CrossWorlds does not retain that game's cooperative team racing mechanic.[3] Players race against one another in three-lap races around a track and collect power-ups to get ahead, similar to other games in the genre such as the Mario Kart series.[3] Like previous Sonic racing games, a strong emphasis is placed on drifting to maneuver around tight turns and build up additional speed.[4] Players can choose between standard race cars, which will turn to boats and planes at different points in the race similar to Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, or Extreme Gear hoverboards, which were previously featured in the Sonic Riders sub-series.[5][6] Unlike previous Sonic racing games, characters are not restricted to a single vehicle and have their own stats, which affect the performance of vehicles.[3][7] Cars fall into one of four different classes based on their most prominent stat: Speed, Acceleration, Power, or Handling.[3] A fifth type, Boost, is utilized exclusively by Extreme Gear; like in Sonic Riders, characters using this vehicle type can perform drifts and tricks to gain energy, which can be expended to perform a high-speed boost.[4] A total of 45 different vehicles can be unlocked,[8] with players also able to combine parts from the vehicles they have unlocked to create custom vehicles.[3] By playing the game, players can earn "Donpa Tickets", which can be exchanged for additional vehicle customization items like paint and decals.[9] Before starting a race, players can equip gadgets that will provide them passive advantages, such as drawing in distant rings or prioritizing specific power-ups; up to six gadget slots can be unlocked, with some gadgets requiring multiple slots to be equipped.[3][10]

The game is set to feature 24 different race tracks.[11] After the first lap of each race, the leading racer will be able to choose between two different "Travel Rings", large ring shaped portals that appear in the middle of the track; selecting a Travel Ring will send the racers through it to the corresponding "CrossWorld", one of 15[11] separate locations in which the second lap of the race takes place before reverting to the original track for the final lap.[2] While in the CrossWorld, random "frenzy" modifiers will be activated, causing additional effects such as adding moving boost gates to the course.[3] Elements of the track layout will also change during the final lap, opening new paths and shortcuts.[3] Additional tracks and vehicles will be available as downloadable content.[12] In Grand Prix mode, the player must complete four sequential races while attempting to earn the highest placement score possible.[4] The player will also be designated a rival character during Grand Prix, who will exhibit higher difficulty behavior and specifically target the player during each race.[13] Rival characters also have special interactions with the player character, and defeating a rival in Grand Prix will grant additional rewards.[4] A Time Attack mode allows players to play each track and record their best lap times.[8] A third mode, Race Park, includes "party"-based gameplay.[8] The game supports local multiplayer, as well as cross-platform online multiplayer for up to 12 players.[8][1]

Characters

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Sega has stated that CrossWorlds will feature the largest roster of playable characters in a Sonic racing game to date.[14] The game will launch with 23 playable characters plus one unlockable character.[11][15][16][13] Additional characters from other Sega properties are scheduled to be gradually added via free post-launch updates,[11][1][17] while characters from external properties will be available as part of a season pass of downloadable content, set to be released in six waves over the course of one year.[12][17] Three characters originating from the animated series Sonic Prime are included as part of the game's Digital Deluxe Edition, while Sonic the Werehog from Sonic Unleashed is available as a pre-order incentive.[18][12]

Guest characters are labeled in bold.

Development

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is being developed by Sonic Team, with the involvement of the developers behind the Initial D series of arcade racing games.[19][22] Sonic Team chose to incorporate both transforming vehicles and Extreme Gear as a way of appealing to fans of previous Sonic racing games, treating CrossWorlds as a culmination of all the games to date.[6] The Travel Ring concept was inspired 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 in very different environments.[23] The team's experience with developing arcade racing games inspired them to make each lap of the race unique to maintain excitement and interest.[23] Taki noted that the Extreme Gear was difficult to implement, as it necessitated creating an entirely new gameplay system to make it work.[23] Sonic series producer Takashi Iizuka stated that while CrossWorlds was designed as a Sonic racing game first and foremost, fan disappointment at the lack of crossover content in Team Sonic Racing compared to previous entries led them to include more guest characters.[17]

Release

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was initially announced with a teaser trailer at the Game Awards 2024.[24] The first gameplay trailer was shown during Sony Interactive Entertainment's State of Play on February 12, 2025,[25][26] and a closed beta test for the PlayStation 5 version was held from February 21 to 23.[27][28]

In June 2025, shortly before Summer Game Fest, leaked footage from an early build of the game revealed the existence of multiple guest characters from non-Sega franchises planned as downloadable content.[29] The inclusion of guests was subsequently confirmed at Summer Game Fest a few days later on June 6, along with the game's final release date of September 25, 2025.[1] Iizuka expressed disappointment in the leaks, feeling it had ruined the excitement and surprise for fans.[17] A Nintendo Switch 2 version was also announced, scheduled for release at a later date, with a paid upgrade available for owners of the Nintendo Switch version.[12]

Reception

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Pre-release

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In a preview for IGN, Jada Griffin praised CrossWorlds for its breadth of customization options and the novelty of the CrossWorlds game mechanic.[3] The closed beta was well-received in reviews published in Digital Trends and ComicBook.com, as well as by fans online, with the presentation, gameplay, and variety of playable characters and tracks being praised, and the "chaotic" nature of the races being generally described as fun and entertaining. However, some also found the chaos overwhelming, and felt that the combat power-ups featured in the game were unbalanced, hoping that they might be adjusted in the final release.[30][31][32] According to Taki, the balance of power-ups underwent heavy adjustment in response to feedback from the closed beta test.[23]

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: ソニックレーシングクロスワールド, Hepburn: Sonikku Reshingu Kurosu Warudo
  2. ^ a b c Paid downloadable content
  3. ^ a b c Available as part of the Digital Deluxe Edition.
  4. ^ a b c Free post-launch addition
  5. ^ Pre-order bonus

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i McCrae, Scott (June 6, 2025). "Sonic's Takashi Iizuka dunks on Mario Kart World as Sonic Racing Crossworlds unveils Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft Steve". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nightingale, Ed (February 12, 2025). "Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Griffin, Jada (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview". IGN. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Inamoto, Tetsuya. "［プレイレポ］おなじみソニック達が繰り広げるレースアクション「ソニックレーシング クロスワールド」。リングの向こうには異世界のコース!?" [[Play Report] "Sonic Racing Cross Worlds" is a racing action game featuring the familiar Sonic characters. Beyond the ring lies a course from another world!?]. 4Gamer (in Japanese). Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Cunliffe, Thomas (February 12, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Features Extreme Gear, Transforming, and Cream the Rabbit". Siliconera. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Doolan, Liam (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Confirms SEGA Characters, Extreme Gear, And Much More". Pure Xbox. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  7. ^ "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds gameplay revealed, new mechanics detailed". PlayStation.Blog. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds". Sega. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.[non-primary source needed]
  9. ^ Shea, Brian (June 7, 2025). "Rolling Around At The Speed Of Sound". Game Informer. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Doolan, Liam (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Adds Characters From "SEGA Universes"". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Shirey, J Brodie (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Teases Large Number of Racers and Tracks at Launch". Game Rant. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds ™ Warps into Stores on September 25, 2025" (Press release). Burbank, California. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c Foster, George (June 7, 2025). "Sonic Racing: Crossworlds Is Closer To Stealing Mario Kart World's Crown Than You Might Think". TheGamer. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  14. ^ "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds debut trailer, screenshots". Gematsu. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  15. ^ Penwell, Chris (February 13, 2025). "All confirmed Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Characters". Destructoid. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  16. ^ Doolan, Liam (February 14, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer Confirmed So Far". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d Scullion, Chris (June 8, 2025). "Interview: Sonic Team head talks CrossRoads, competing with Mario Kart World and leak culture". VGC. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  18. ^ Barker, Sammy (February 14, 2025). "PS5, PS4 Kart Racer Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' Rumoured SEGA Stars Could Be DLC". Push Square. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Shipley, Tyler (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Reveals Racers and Network Test Date". Game Rant. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  20. ^ Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds [@RaceCrossWorlds] (June 6, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is coming September 25, 2025! 🏎️ Hatsune Miku, Joker, & Ichiban Kasuga are joining the race as free post-launch content. The roster then expands even further with Steve, Alex, and Creeper from Minecraft as future paid content! http://RaceCrossWorlds.com" (Tweet). Retrieved June 6, 2025 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Griffin, Jada (February 13, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: The First Preview". IGN. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  22. ^ V, Amber (February 14, 2025). "Initial D arcade developers involved in Sega's new Sonic racing game". AUTOMATON WEST. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d Inamoto, Tetsuya. "［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" [[Interview] "Sonic Racing Cross Worlds," created by Sega's arcade game development team, is a racing game full of excitement and surprises.]. 4Gamer (in Japanese). Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  24. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (December 13, 2024). "The Next Big Sonic Game Is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - The Game Awards 2024". IGN. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Prescott, Shaun (February 12, 2025). "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. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Makar, Connor (February 12, 2025). "Sonic Racing: Crossworlds gets it first gameplay trailer at the Sony State of Play, as well as a network test later this month". VG247. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  27. ^ "Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Getting Closed Beta Test This Month". GameSpot. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "How to join the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds closed test". Digital Trends. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  29. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (June 4, 2025). "Sonic's Upcoming Kart Racer Will Include Minecraft And SpongeBob Characters". Kotaku. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  30. ^ "Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is already giving Mario Kart a run for its money". Digital Trends. February 27, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  31. ^ Murphy, Michael (February 28, 2025). "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Feels Like Sega's Mario Kart (But With More Chaos)". ComicBook.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  32. ^ Doolan, Liam (February 23, 2025). "Round Up: The First Impressions Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Closed Network Test' Are In". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
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