Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (2025)

“Portal Chaos on the Fast Lane”


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Lets start by showing y’all the trailers shall we?

Trailers

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Non-Spoiler Rundown

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t just another lap around the track — it’s Sega finally remembering what makes a Sonic racer fun. Where Team Sonic Racing played it too safe and too small, CrossWorlds cranks the chaos with transforming vehicles, hoverboards, and the wild CrossWorlds portal mechanic that literally warps the track mid-race.

With 24 characters at launch, 24 tracks, and a ton of customization options, this is the most ambitious Sonic racer yet. And thanks to cross-play, smooth performance, and a god-tier soundtrack, it feels like Sega finally put Sonic back in the kart-racing conversation.


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Uhh… Story?

Let’s be real — CrossWorlds doesn’t bother with a story mode. No Dodonpa weaving some goofy narrative about magical engines like last time. Here it’s all about racing. That’s both a plus (pure action, no fluff) and a minus (no silly cutscenes to tie things together, no overarching campaign to give solo players momentum).


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Gameplay

The heart of this game is speed and chaos. Drifting builds boost, tricks give you mid-air bonuses, and rings crank your top speed. Items are back, weird as ever — some cool, some underwhelming.

The new twist is the CrossWorlds portals. After lap one, the lead racer chooses a giant glowing ring, and bam — everyone warps into a new dimension for lap two. It might be a prehistoric jungle, a futuristic city, or a random mashup with new hazards. Then you return to the original track for a finale lap with changed shortcuts and obstacles. It’s unpredictable, frantic, and keeps every race feeling fresh.

Vehicles add even more variety. You can pick classic cars that transform into boats and planes (a nod to All-Stars Racing Transformed) or ride hoverboards like Sonic Riders. Handling feels tighter than Team Sonic Racing, and the sense of speed is genuinely exhilarating.


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Characters & Tracks

Characters: 24 at launch, ranging from Sonic staples (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Amy, Dr. Eggman) to fan-favorites like Blaze, Silver, Rouge, Vector, Metal Sonic, and yes — Big the Cat. A few surprises too, like Tikal and Mephiles.

Tracks: 24 tracks total, including Green Hill, Chemical Plant, Ice Cap, and new CrossWorlds-exclusive courses that mash up zones in wild ways.


Customization is deep — paint jobs, decals, vehicle parts, and even victory animations. The grind for unlocks, though, can get tedious.


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Graphics & Sound

Visually, CrossWorlds pops with vibrant colors and smooth animation. The CrossWorlds transitions are jaw-dropping the first time you see them, like suddenly being pulled through a wormhole mid-race.

And the soundtrack? Peak Sonic. Remixes of old tracks (City Escape, Live & Learn), original EDM-style bangers, and high-energy orchestral themes. It’s the kind of OST you’ll keep playing outside the game.


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Pros

CrossWorlds mechanic is fresh and keeps races unpredictable.

Transforming vehicles and hoverboards add variety.

Huge roster of characters with fan-service picks.

Excellent soundtrack that mixes nostalgia with new energy.

Tight, fun gameplay loop that feels both classic and modern.



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Cons

No story mode at all — a step back from Team Sonic Racing.

Item balance is hit-or-miss.

Unlock system can feel grindy.

Some nostalgia picks overshadow new creative track ideas.



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Final Thoughts

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds feels like Sega’s redemption lap after fumbling with Team Sonic Racing. It’s chaotic, creative, and easily the most fun Sonic racer in years. The lack of story mode hurts, and the grindy unlocks might annoy completionists, but the gameplay loop is so fun that it’s hard to stay mad.

If Sega can build on this foundation with updates, DLC tracks, and maybe a true campaign, this could become the definitive Sonic racer.


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Rating

9/10 — “Fast, frantic, and finally fun.”


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Spoiler Section 🚨

Alright, let’s pop the hood on the wildest details:

CrossWorlds Portals: The biggest twist in the game. When you warp mid-race, the new “dimension” isn’t just cosmetic. Hazards change (lava floods Green Hill, ice storms hit Chemical Plant, tornadoes rip through Sky Sanctuary). Some shortcuts only exist after the warp, so races never feel the same twice.

Cameo Chaos: Sega hid references all over. In one portal dimension, you’ll spot Jet Set Radio graffiti. Another? A hidden NiGHTS into Dreams statue waving at racers. Even Alex Kidd shows up as a background Easter egg.

Boss Race Surprise: The final unlockable event is a CrossWorlds showdown against Mephiles on a collapsing multi-portal track. It’s chaotic, glitchy-looking on purpose, and absolutely brutal.

Music Fan-Service: “Live & Learn” by Crush 40 is in the game — and it kicks in dynamically if you’re in first place during the final lap of certain races. Instant chills.

Post-Credits Tease: Beating all cups unlocks a cinematic tease — Eggman discovers a broken portal fragment that “links to another Sega universe.” Fan speculation is running wild that this could set up Sega’s own racing crossover (bring back Transformed vibes!).