Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is not a Mario Kart clone. Instead, it confidently establishes its own identity through dynamic track design, vehicle transformations, deep customization, and wonderfully chaotic multiplayer races. As a longtime Sonic fan, I was genuinely impressed. This is easily the best Sonic racing game ever made and one of the most creative arcade racers in recent years. If you enjoy speed, strategy, customization, and unpredictable races, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is absolutely worth playing. It may not completely dethrone Mario Kart, but it finally feels like Sonic has a racing game worthy of standing alongside the genre’s very best. – NikolaOtasevic
As someone who has spent far too many hours playing Sonic games — from the classic 2D platformers to modern 3D adventures — I’ve always been somewhat skeptical of Sonic racing games. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed was a solid title back in 2012, but it never quite reached the heights of Mario Kart.That’s why I was genuinely surprised when I first heard about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, a new entry that promised to be more than just another kart racer. After spending several hours with the game on PS5, I can confidently say that it delivers on that promise. This is more than a simple racing game — it’s an experience that combines Sonic’s trademark speed with vehicle customization, dynamic tracks, and enough surprises to keep every race exciting.
The real question is: does it fully live up to its potential?
Gameplay – Adaptability and Chaos on Steroids
At the heart of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds lies its biggest innovation: the CrossWorlds system.
Tracks constantly change in real time, vehicles transform on the fly, and powerful items can completely alter the outcome of a race. This isn’t simply about driving as fast as possible — it’s a strategic battle where adaptability often determines victory.
Players begin with traditional racing vehicles, but as they progress, they unlock various modifications. You can add wings for aerial sections, transform into a hovercraft for water-based routes, or switch to an off-road beast designed for muddy terrain.
Each transformation dramatically changes vehicle physics. In Warp Mode, tracks twist through dimensional anomalies, creating portal jumps, gravity-defying loops, and bizarre track layouts that constantly force players to adapt.
The item system is equally wild. Instead of traditional bananas and turtle shells, players gain access to Sonic-themed abilities. A Chaos Emerald boost temporarily transforms you into Super Sonic, while homing attacks allow you to lock onto rivals and disrupt their progress.
Multiplayer is pure chaos in the best possible way. Up to twelve players can compete online, while local split-screen remains available for couch multiplayer sessions.
Compared to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds feels far less predictable. Dynamic track transformations ensure that no two races ever play out exactly the same way.
The single-player campaign is also surprisingly enjoyable. Players follow Sonic and friends as they travel through multiple dimensions to stop a mysterious CrossWorld invasion. While the story itself remains fairly straightforward, the focus is clearly on the racing experience.
With more than fifty tracks available and several boss battles that feel like miniature Sonic levels, there’s plenty of content to keep players busy.
Sonic Platforming Meets Racing
As a longtime Sonic fan, one of my favorite aspects of the game is how naturally it incorporates platforming elements into racing.
Jumps, Spin Dashes, ring collection, and momentum-based movement all contribute to making races feel distinctly Sonic rather than simply another kart racer with Sonic characters.
That said, there is a learning curve.
Players unfamiliar with the transformation mechanics may find the first few hours somewhat overwhelming. The AI can also be surprisingly aggressive, often leading to chaotic collisions and unpredictable situations.
Still, once everything clicks, the gameplay becomes incredibly addictive. I found myself spending hours in custom modes, experimenting with different vehicle builds and trying to optimize my setup for each track.
Story and Characters – Classic Sonic Charm
The story itself is simple but entertaining.
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles discover mysterious portals connecting multiple dimensions. Naturally, an evil force from the mysterious CrossWorld threatens reality itself, forcing the heroes to race across different worlds to save everything.
Each dimension introduces unique settings, ranging from cyberpunk-inspired cities to magical forests and surreal landscapes.
The writing embraces Sonic’s trademark humor, while the cast remains faithful to their established personalities. Sonic is confident and sarcastic, Eggman remains wonderfully over-the-top, and new characters such as Warp Fox bring fresh energy to the adventure.
The voice acting is excellent throughout, with Roger Craig Smith once again delivering a fantastic performance as Sonic.
Compared to Sonic Frontiers, the narrative is much lighter, but for a racing game it serves its purpose well and provides enough context to connect the campaign together.
DLC Characters Bring New Worlds Together
Because the entire concept revolves around CrossWorlds, the developers have also introduced guest racers from other franchises.
The first DLC character is Hatsune Miku, while future additions include Joker from Persona 5 and Ichiban Kasuga from the Yakuza: Like a Dragon series.
These crossover additions fit surprisingly well within the CrossWorlds concept and significantly increase the game's replay value.
Presentation – Fast, Colorful, and Beautiful
Visually, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is stunning.
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers vibrant environments filled with dynamic weather and environmental changes.
Rain can transform sections of a track into slippery hazards, while changing sunlight conditions can reveal entirely new routes.
Track variety is impressive, ranging from futuristic cityscapes to lush natural environments and fantasy-inspired worlds.
Performance is equally strong. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game runs at a smooth 60 FPS with minimal loading times.
The soundtrack perfectly captures Sonic’s energy. Classic themes such as Green Hill Zone receive fantastic remixes, while new compositions by Jun Senoue fit seamlessly alongside them.
Sound effects are punchy and satisfying, making crashes, boosts, and collisions feel impactful.
Criticisms – Not Quite Perfect
Despite all its strengths, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t flawless.
The constant transformations and track changes can occasionally become overwhelming for casual players. Quick decision-making is often required, and mistakes can easily result in frustrating crashes.
The campaign is also relatively short compared to some competitors, lasting roughly 10–15 hours.
Online matchmaking occasionally suffers from lag, and item balance isn’t always ideal. Certain power-ups feel significantly stronger than others, sometimes leading to frustrating moments during competitive races.
For Sonic fans, these issues are unlikely to be deal-breakers.
For players looking for a pure racing simulator, however, the game’s chaotic nature may not appeal as much.
A review copy of the game was provided by IrisMega
