Sonic and the karting genre have enjoyed a mostly strong relationship over the years, from 1994’s Sonic Drift to 2012’s Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. The blue, spiky gaming icon has carved out a solid path, though he’s often remained in the shadow of that moustached plumber and his go-kart. That might be about to change. In a world where Mario Kart World still holds the throne, albeit a heavy one, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds takes the best elements from Sonic’s past racing titles, trims the excess, and introduces fresh ideas that hit the sweet spot.
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Developed by Sonic Team, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is easily the best Sonic racing game to date. In fact, it might be the best Sonic game since 2017’s Sonic Mania.
Arcade Course
CrossWorlds plays like an arcade karting title, and that’s high praise. It’s clear Sonic Team has drawn inspiration from Mario Kart, and if you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best.
Many tracks in CrossWorlds feel like Mario Kart circuits dressed in Sega gear. You’ll drift, catch big air, and scoop up items across some brilliantly themed environments. While only some of the 24 tracks carry this vibe, it’s noticeable.
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The game breaks the mould by leaning into Sonic’s trademark speed, not his love of chilidogs, but raw velocity. It feels genuinely fast, adding a layer of intensity that even Mario Kart’s highest CCs struggle to match.
A rival system feeds into this speed. Before each race, you’re assigned a rival who’s just a bit quicker, pushing you to master your timing and acceleration.
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Add to that 24 collectible items found in track boxes and 70 unlockable Gadgets that act as perks. These range from better aerial control to increased item drops. Each one makes a tangible difference during races.
You can also spend hours customising your kart. Whether you want a tank that bulldozes opponents or a speed demon built for precision, the options are vast.
Party Formality
The game includes standard karting modes and lively party-style multiplayer, but the standout is CrossWorld Sprints. These take cues from Outrun: race a lap, then the leader chooses left or right, leading to a new track before looping back to the start.
Tracks evolve mid-race too. Corners may be blocked or flooded the second time around, keeping you alert and guessing.
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Character selection is generous, with 24 playable racers at launch and plans to expand to 50 via DLC.
Alongside Sonic and friends, you’ll find gaming icons like Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon, Joker from Persona, SpongeBob, Steve from Minecraft, and Hatsune Miku. It’s a wild roster, and it’s only getting wilder.
Blue, Blue Sky
Visually, the game is vibrant and colourful, staying true to Sonic’s current art style. It holds up well, even at high speeds.
The soundtrack is classic Sonic. Upbeat, energetic, and fast-paced. Voice acting is surprisingly sharp, with amusing exchanges between rivals. Some one-liners do get repetitive, which can grate after a while.
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a leap forward for the series. It embraces speed, energy, and chaos to redefine Sonic as a karting contender. They say if you’re going to take a shot at the king, you’d better not miss, and this blue hedgehog hits the mark.
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