Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review

Sonic and Mario have been together for a long time, since the early 1990s, when Sega and Nintendo were the biggest names in platform games. Super Mario Kart set the standard for kart racing games, but Sonic's tries to beat it were always more experimental, sometimes chaotic, and never as well put together.

Early Sonic racing games, like Sonic R and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012), tried new things like changing the vehicles and racing on different terrains, but they often failed to make a tight, addictive racing loop. Here comes Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the newest game in Sega's kart series, which will be out in 2025 with a lot more goals.

This isn't just a follow-up; it's the result of decades of testing, tweaking, and listening to fans. Sega wants Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to be more than just a contender in the mascot kart racing genre. They plan to do this by adding new features and crossovers to the fast-paced chaos that Sonic fans are used to and making it work with other games.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn't like platform games or racing games with a lot of story, where the attention is on the races. There isn't a main story or cinematic campaign, but the game still has personality through the rivalries and exchanges between characters. In each Grand Prix, you compete against a specific opponent, which raises the stakes.

Even though it's simple, the way characters taunt, cheer, and respond makes for memorable moments of tension, especially when racing against well-known bad guys like Dr. Eggman. The split part also makes it more appealing. Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Espio, Jet, and Zavok are the characters that are available at launch.

However, more characters will be added in the future, such as Persona 5's Joker, Like a Dragon's Ichiban Kasuga, and Hatsune Miku. These looks don't really change how the game is played, but they add a happy, silly tone that goes well with the fast-paced racing action.

In its most basic form, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is an arcade-style driving game. Players use a cast of characters from five classes—Acceleration, Boost, Handling, Power, and Speed—to get through 24 courses on land, water, and in the air. Each class has its own racing style, and the game supports fine-tuning by letting you change the vehicles and gadget boards.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed features vehicles that can transform into boats or planes mid-race. This feature keeps the pace changing, so you have to quickly adapt. Wave jumps, and water boosts test your timing in the water sections, while air sections reward good boost management. Even though air controls aren't always as easy to use as regular controls, they're still a fun distraction that makes each cycle more interesting.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Rings scheme is the most interesting new feature in CrossWorlds. The winner turns on a ring on the second lap that sends the whole pack to one of 15 different tracks. These changes range from rough seas where krakens attack to jungles in the past where dinosaurs are raging. Every Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is fully realized and has its own hurdles, boosts, and shortcuts, so no two races feel the same.

This lack of consistency adds a cinematic, almost chaotic energy that goes well with Sonic's focus on speed. Customization makes Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds more challenging without turning off regular players. New players can start right away with pre-built machines, while veterans can use car parts and gadgets to make their own unique builds.

Gadgets can have a big effect on strategy. For example, you can hold more power-ups, make defensive item drops more likely, or set boosts to activate automatically after falling off the track. If you like to play in a way that suits your preferences, whether that's using items strategically, going fast, or making up for the weaknesses of certain races, these systems are great for you.

The main things that make Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds fun are the combat and power-up systems. There are both known and new items in the game, such as Wisps and rings, as well as some that aren't as common. Even though they work, some things feel like they were taken from other kart games and don't have the unique feel of Sonic's world.

Still, the gadget system adds to the battle by letting players improve both offensive and defensive strategies. To win, you need to know when to boost, how to use shortcuts, and how to carefully use items. You can't just rely on luck. The rival system adds tension to these features that is related to the story.

Going up against a set opponent in four-race Grand Prix events turns simple item battles into mini-feuds, making every overtake or power-up clash more important. Even though the method is pretty simple—it's mostly voice lines and taunts—it does a good job of giving races emotional stakes without giving players too much story.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has a progression system that pays players who play it over and over again. You receive experience points (XP) for finishing races and events. You may spend these points to purchase new components for your vehicle, gadgets, and methods to customize how it appears.

This makes it more exciting to try out new classes and sets, which helps you grow better at using each character's distinctive talents over time. The method is fun and rewarding without being too hard. Skilled players can quickly customize builds, while new players can still fight well with pre-built setups.

XP also has a small effect on how you play. When you unlock stronger or more specialized gadgets, you can change how you race. For example, to beat aggressive opponents, you might focus on defensive boosts, or to rule straightaways, you might make your build faster. This progression layer makes it possible to play the tracks over and over again, after the original thrill of the tracks themselves.

The graphics in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are great. The courses are bright, detailed, and fast-paced, which fits with the fast-paced style of the series. Every track feels alive, from the lush jungles to the storm-tossed seas. Transforming cars are animated so that they can move smoothly between land, air, and sea. Some of CrossWorlds' tracks are more about spectacle than clarity—huge environmental hazards sometimes block the race line—but overall, each lap is a joy to watch thanks to the high level of polish and visual flair.

Character models are just the right amount of stylized and familiar. Sonic and his friends look just like they did in 3D, and crossover figures fit in well and don't feel out of place. Customization choices let players make vehicles that look weird or cool, adding another level of visual fun without affecting the game's core functionality.

The sound design is just as good. When engines roar, boosts whine, and cars crash, it sounds exciting, adding to the sense of speed and chaos. The music is mostly upbeat and fast-paced, with themes that remind me of old Sonic songs and new songs that fit the mood of each track. Voice lines for characters, especially when they're talking to each other, add personality and fun to the game, making it more interesting than many racing games in its genre.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the best and most creative kart racing game Sonic has ever made. The game offers a fast, unpredictable, and always enjoyable racing experience by blending decades of experimentation with thoughtful new features, most notably Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Rings system and deep gadget-based customization.

Some power-ups feel too generic, and controlling an air car can be hard, but the pros far outweigh the cons. With its pre-built vehicles, vast customization options, and progression system, the game does a great job of making it easy for new players to get into while also giving experienced players a lot to do.

It takes a happy approach to Sonic's world and makes subtle references to other Sega and crossover titles. This makes for a fun experience that rewards both skill and a sense of nostalgia. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds may not be as polished or last as long as Mario Kart, but it makes a strong case as one of the best mascot racing games of 2025 and the fullest Sonic racing game to date.