Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game that places Sonic the Hedgehog and a large roster of characters from the Sonic universe behind the wheel on Nintendo Switch 2. Players race across tracks drawn from the series history while using Travel Rings to shift between dimensions mid-race. The game emphasizes fast arcade-style handling with drifting, boosting, and item use alongside deep vehicle and gadget customization.
Gameplay
Races combine traditional kart mechanics with the signature CrossWorlds feature. Drivers accelerate, drift for boosts, and collect rings while navigating 24 main tracks. At set points, a Travel Ring activates and sends the entire field into one of 15 alternate CrossWorlds segments. These shifts change the layout and hazards for the remainder of the lap before returning to the original course. The lead racer often selects the destination, adding a layer of choice to each event.
Before each race, players equip combinations from 70 gadgets that alter stats such as acceleration, top speed, item performance, or defense. Forty-five original vehicles provide further tuning options through part swaps and upgrades earned in play. Power-up items appear on the track and can be used to attack rivals or gain temporary advantages. Some segments allow vehicle transformations, including aerial control in plane mode where stunts through boost rings increase landing speed.
Progression involves completing events to unlock new characters, vehicles, and gadgets. A rival system assigns a random opponent for each Grand Prix cup, complete with taunts and ongoing challenges that carry across the four races in a cup.
Game Modes
Seven Grand Prix cups form the core single-player and local experience. Each cup consists of three standard races followed by a finale that remixes elements from the prior tracks. Points accumulate based on finishing position, and the highest total wins the cup.
Time Trials let players chase personal bests or leaderboard rankings on individual courses without opponents or items. Race Park serves as the dedicated party mode with team-based objectives that vary the rules, such as collecting the most rings across three teams or landing the highest number of attack-item hits in head-to-head formats.
Online options include World Match for ranked 12-player races and Friend Match for custom lobbies where rules like speed class, team size, item availability, and CrossWorlds selection can be adjusted. Offline split-screen supports up to four players in Custom Match with similar rule controls.
Tracks and Roster
The 24 tracks draw from locations across the Sonic series, including Metal Harbor and Kronos Island. CrossWorlds segments expand each race with fresh environments and obstacles. The launch roster contains 24 playable characters, the largest in any Sonic racing title, with additional characters added through free monthly updates and paid DLC packs that also introduce new tracks and events.
Post-launch support has included balance patches, new gadgets, and an online ranking leaderboard. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition delivers native performance improvements, including higher resolutions and a steady 60 frames per second in single-player and two-player split-screen modes.
Is It Worth Playing?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds delivers a polished arcade kart racer with strong emphasis on mechanical depth through gadget combinations and vehicle builds. Reviews highlight the rewarding feel of drifting and boosting, the variety introduced by the CrossWorlds mechanic, and the sheer volume of unlockable content. The single-player campaign and Race Park provide substantial offline play, while online modes support competitive and casual sessions.
Players who enjoy customization-heavy kart racers or the Sonic series will find the largest roster and track selection to date engaging. Those seeking quick local multiplayer or ranked online competition also have dedicated options. The game continues to receive updates that expand the roster and refine balance, keeping the experience current on Nintendo Switch 2.
