Nearly six years after Sega’s last kart racing game, Team Sonic Racing (2019), which received only modest reviews, the Japanese publisher is back with a new title in the series: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. This time, Sega aims to compete directly with the likes of Mario Kart—and maybe even surpass it—especially since Nintendo’s own kart racer has faced mixed to weak reception in recent years. The question is: did Sega succeed in outpacing its biggest rival? Let’s find out in this full Sonic Racing CrossWorlds review.
Gameplay Concept of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game in the same vein as Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing. Players race across tracks inspired by the Sonic universe, choose from a wide cast of familiar characters, and use items collected from boxes scattered on the track to attack rivals or defend against incoming strikes.
Since speed is the heart of any racing title, drifting is key here. Mastering drift boosts your acceleration, while collecting Sonic rings increases speed. Crashing or taking a hit means losing rings and momentum. Performing stunts also builds speed, rewarding skilled driving with a real competitive edge.
The standout feature is the CrossWorlds mechanic, which transports players mid-race into an entirely different world during the second lap. Vehicles can transform into boats or planes depending on the new setting, while environments undergo dramatic changes. This keeps races dynamic, unpredictable, and highly entertaining.
Game Modes and Content
Like other kart racers, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds offers both local play and online multiplayer. Locally, up to four players can compete via split-screen. Online, up to 12 players can join either casual or ranked matches, with leaderboards determined by performance.
The online mode stands out for its intensity—every mistake can send you tumbling down the ranks. Yet, smart use of shortcuts or items gives you a chance to fight back, ensuring thrilling, competitive matches until the very last second.
Single-player and core modes
Alongside multiplayer, the game includes three main modes:
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Grand Prix: A tournament system with four races per cup (three standard races and one final). There are currently eight cups, with more planned via expansions—including collaborations like SpongeBob. Each cup features a designated rival character, adding unique dialogue and rivalries to spice up the challenge. Completing all cups unlocks secret content such as new tracks or Sonic variants.
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Race Park: This hub includes team-based and solo challenges. In team battles, two squads of six players (split into groups of three) compete to complete objectives like collecting the most rings or using the most items. Solo challenges include Quick Match for standard races and Extreme Match for chaotic races with only the strongest items. Completing challenges unlocks car customization rewards.
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Time Trial: Classic speedrun mode where you aim to finish tracks as fast as possible, chasing personal bests or global records.
Cars, characters, and customization
Cars are divided into five classes:
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Acceleration: Quick to reach top speed.
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Handling: Best control on tight turns.
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Speed: Designed for maximum velocity, ideal for straight tracks.
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Power: Tank-like cars that retain speed despite collisions.
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Boost: Hoverboards that maximize acceleration pads more than any other class.
Customization is deep, with swappable parts like front, rear, and tires to suit your style.
The game includes 24 tracks, each with unique themes, plus mid-race dimensional shifts. There are currently 23 playable characters, with Sega planning to expand that roster to 50 through updates and collaborations.
Gadgets also add personalization. Players unlock slots (up to six) to equip perks such as holding more rings or resisting slippery surfaces, further tailoring the racing experience.
Visuals, Audio, and Performance
Built on Unreal Engine 5, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds delivers vibrant cartoon-inspired visuals that perfectly match the Sonic universe. From lush forests and icy caves to volcanic arenas and underwater zones, environments are colorful, detailed, and interactive.
The audio is equally impressive, featuring remastered classic Sonic tracks alongside brand-new compositions performed with popular bands. Engine roars, drifts, explosions, and environmental effects are crisp and immersive. The only downside is repetitive character voice lines, which can get annoying over time.
On PS5, performance is silky smooth, even with chaotic effects and fast-paced transitions. Only occasionally do some environments feel visually overwhelming, though these moments are rare.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Review Final Verdict
After a disappointing entry in 2019, Sega makes a triumphant comeback with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Thanks to its innovative CrossWorlds mechanic, strong multiplayer focus, varied content, and polished presentation, it stands out as one of the most entertaining arcade kart racers of recent years. If you’re a fan of Mario Kart or similar titles, this game is simply unmissable.
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