Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | Release date, characters and gameplay

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on September 25, 2025, aiming to reclaim the crown of arcade kart racing games. Developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA, the title mixes speed, interdimensional travel, and unexpected collaborations, looking to compete directly with Mario Kart World.

 

Gameplay and core mechanics

The central feature are the Travel Rings, portals that appear on the second lap and transport all racers to one of 15 CrossWorlds. These worlds change the track in real time, adding new routes, obstacles, and boosts in the third lap.

The Garage allows players to build vehicles from scratch with three main classes: Power, Handling, and Speed. Gadgets, cosmetics, and Transformation Gates (switching between land, air, and water driving) add even more depth.

The initial roster includes 24 characters such as Sonic, Tails, Shadow, and Amy. Hatsune Miku will be available for free at launch, while the first DLC adds Steve from Minecraft. SEGA has promised over 50 characters with future updates.

 

Game modes

The game includes:

• Grand Prix with a light story.
• Time Attack with global leaderboards.
• Local and online multiplayer with full crossplay.
• Sonic World, an interactive hub to unlock content and join events.

The soundtrack blends classics like Live and Learn with new compositions. Gameplay is accessible but rewards practice with drifting mechanics.

 

Release date and editions

• Official release: September 25 on consoles; September 26 on PC.
• Early access: September 22 with the Digital Deluxe Edition.
• First DLC: Minecraft pack available at launch.

A community in full hype

The reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025 sparked huge anticipation. The trailer featuring Sonic and Hatsune Miku on Minecraft-inspired tracks racked up millions of views.

The Open Network Test (August 28 – September 1) gathered more than 100,000 players, and the free demo (September 17) offered 8 tracks and 12 vehicles. While praised for smooth drifting, performance drops were reported on base Nintendo Switch.

SEGA also confirmed a LAN tournament in Los Angeles on September 28, with cash prizes and exclusive rewards.

 

Early reviews and press scores

Media outlets have already published their first impressions:

• IGN (9/10): “A racer that blends nostalgia with interdimensional chaos.”
• Game Informer (8.5/10): “Dynamic tracks reinvent the genre.”
• GameSpot (7/10): “Complex for newcomers.”
• The Sixth Axis (6/10): “Animations that lower the overall polish.”

The projected Metacritic average is 82/100, with expectations to improve thanks to updates and DLCs.

Can Sonic beat Mario Kart?

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds bets on unique mechanics, deep customization, and a live content calendar. With launch around the corner, SEGA’s challenge will be to maintain technical quality and player interest against the direct competition of Mario Kart World.