Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds appears to be the largest and greatest Sonic kart racing game to date. Developers at Sonic Team and publisher Sega have lofty ambitions for this high-speed crossover title to release on the following lineup of platforms on September 25, 2025: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, and PC. And icing on the cake, IDW Publishing will release a one-shot comic to coincide with launch day, offering fans a further layer of history and background to delve into.
A Huge Roster with Crossover Appeal
One of the largest attractions of CrossWorlds is its large and varied cast. With at least 23 characters shown in the base game—and 28 in the closed beta—the roster is already the biggest of any Sonic racing title yet. And it’s not over: extra characters will appear post-launch, ensuring the experience remains fresh with age.
What makes this lineup stand out is its crossover appeal. In addition to traditional Sonic characters, racers from other Sega franchises and even some third-party IPs are included. Viewers of the animated Sonic Prime show will be happy to hear that its cast is included in the mix as well, adding even more to the game’s pull and celebrating the greater Sonic and Sega worlds.
Customization and Vehicle Diversity
Shattering away from previous Sonic racing games, characters are no longer tied to a specific vehicle. Rather, players can select 45 customizable Machines, including cars and Extreme Gear. These vehicles have five performance classes: Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Power, and the new Boost class.
All of the Machines are fully customizable—both visually and mechanically—to allow players to customize performance, appearance, and even boost mechanics. Vehicles like the Cross Dozer and Frog Cruiser have been redone with new models for animation consistency to create a smooth viewing experience across all platforms. Extreme Gear, which was first introduced in the Sonic Riders games, returns in its high-speed trick play style and extensive customization.
Dynamic Tracks and CrossWorlds Mechanics
CrossWorlds introduces an extra level of strategy and excitement with 24 core tracks and 15 CrossWorlds—expert alternate routes that guarantee every race is unique. Classic returning tracks from Team Sonic Racing and traditional Sonic games join the list, too, giving veteran gamers a nostalgic experience.
The game’s greatest innovation is the CrossWorlds mechanic. Once the first lap has been completed, the top driver will find two Travel Rings, both of which go to a different CrossWorld. The ability to choose the correct route can change the course of the race, and each lap becomes a tactical choice.
Also returning are the Transformation Gates, a fan favorite from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, that allow the driver to seamlessly transition between terra, aqua, and flight based on the course design.
Game Modes and Multiplayer
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has several game modes for a single-player experience and competitive racing:
- Grand Prix – Traditional multi-race competitions.
- Race Park – Sandbox mode featuring special challenges and activities.
- Time Attack – For those after the quickest laps.
Both modes accommodate 1-4 players for local split-screen, and up to 12 players online, with full crossplay support. This allows players to compete against friends on all supported platforms, regardless of what system they’re playing on.
Visuals, Controls, and Accessibility
The game’s colorful graphics are next-gen and current-gen console optimized, with richly detailed environments and smooth animation. Controls will be recognizable to fans of Team Sonic Racing, but a legacy control option is provided for gamers who prefer a more traditional handling experience.
Through its platform breadth of availability and accessibility features, CrossWorlds is intended to appeal to newcomers yet remain deep enough for competitive players to enjoy.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is not just another kart racer—it’s a bold, feature-packed love letter to Sonic, Sega, and beyond. With its deep character roster, car modification, groundbreaking track mechanics, and cross-platform multiplayer, it’s poised to offer an unforgettable high-speed experience to both the old guard and newcomers alike. Whether you’re here for the racing, the crossovers, or the creative innovations, CrossWorlds is revving up to be the ultimate Sonic spin-off.