Review: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Developer – Sonic Team

Publisher – SEGA

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PS4, PS5 (Reviewed)

Review copy given by publisher

After the disappointment of Team Sonic Racing, I approached Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds with cautious optimism. Would this be another failed attempt to reinvent the wheel, or could Sonic Team finally recapture the magic of All-Stars Racing Transformed? Well, I’m happy to report that CrossWorlds feels like the sequel Transformed always deserved. This isn’t just a return to form for the franchise — it’s a bold step forward that confidently establishes itself as one of the finest kart racers in recent memory.

CrossWorlds doesn’t burden itself with an elaborate story campaign, and that’s for the best. Instead of forcing you through tedious mission-based objectives, the game celebrates Sonic’s legacy through environmental storytelling and character interactions. You’ll witness brief exchanges between characters who have never spoken to each other in the series’ history. The real narrative here is told through the tracks themselves, as each one is a love letter to iconic locations spanning three decades of Sonic games. From the sun-soaked streets of Sonic Unleashed’s Rooftop Run to the mysterious islands of Sonic Frontiers, every course tells its own story.

Let’s talk racing, the real meat of this game. Picture this: you’re driving through Green Hill Zone when suddenly the leader activates a Travel Ring, and the entire race shifts to Chemical Plant Zone mid-lap. It sounds chaotic on paper, and it absolutely is, but in the best possible way. This system keeps every single race feeling fresh and unpredictable, eliminating the monotony that can drag down other kart racers.

The core racing mechanics feel satisfying without being sluggish. Drifting has that perfect flow where you can chain corners together for extended boosts, and the sense of speed is exhilarating across all difficulty levels. Vehicle transformations return, allowing seamless transitions between land, sea, and air. While the aerial controls lean slightly on the heavy side, the water handling strikes a great balance between control and fluidity.

Where CrossWorlds really sets itself apart is in its customization depth. The gadget system allows you to fine-tune your experience across six slots, with more powerful gadgets consuming more space. You might opt for six minor tweaks or focus on two game-changing modifications. Some gadgets alter fundamental handling characteristics like faster air tricks here, or a more powerful drift boost there. It’s a system that rewards experimentation and allows you to craft vehicles that match your racing style.

The 23 base character roster at launch represents the largest collection in any Sonic racing game, covering beloved classics like Sonic and Tails to more niche characters from the series’ extensive cast. Each character falls into distinct archetypes, making sure your choice goes beyond aesthetic preference. With promised DLC adding crossover characters from franchises like Minecraft, SpongeBob, and even Persona 5, the roster will only continue expanding.

Track design deserves special recognition. The 24 main courses and 15 CrossWorld tracks are beautifully crafted, each one packed with shortcuts, boost opportunities, and environmental hazards that evolve across multiple laps. These aren’t just static race tracks, they’re dynamic playgrounds that reward knowledge and punish complacency.

CrossWorlds takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to progression that avoids overwhelming you. The meat of your advancement comes through collecting vehicle parts, gadgets, and cosmetic options across various game modes. Each race completion, whether in Grand Prix or individual events, contributes to your overall collection progress. The system strikes that sweet spot where you’re always working toward something meaningful without feeling like you’re grinding through races.

Side content includes Time Trials and Race Park. Spending time in Time Trials dramatically improved my performance in competitive races by highlighting shortcuts and boost opportunities I missed during main races. Each track offers multiple medal tiers that provide rewards rather than empty achievements.

Race Park mode is the game’s answer to party gaming. This isn’t just standard multiplayer with different rules. It’s a collection of team-based activities that emphasize cooperation alongside competition. Teams compete for ring collection bonuses that provide significant speed boosts, creating strategic decisions about when to work together versus when to prioritize individual advancement. Four-player split-screen local multiplayer works brilliantly, maintaining great performance even when the screen gets divided up.

End-game content centers around mastering the higher difficulty levels and fully exploring the customization possibilities. The gadget system becomes increasingly important as competition intensifies. What works for casual races often will usually fail against skilled opponents or brutal AI settings. Experimenting with different gadget combinations across various vehicle types provides substantial replay value, especially when you consider how CrossWorld track variations can completely change optimal setups mid-race.

The online component adds great replayability, featuring smooth matchmaking and cross play functionality. Rank progression goes from E to A, with the ultimate goal of reaching Legend rank against other players online.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds runs like a dream on PS5, offering two distinct visual modes. Performance Mode delivers crisp 1080p visuals at a rock-solid 60fps, prioritizing smooth gameplay over resolution. Graphics Mode bumps things up to 4K at 30fps for those who prefer visual fidelity. Both modes maintain their target framerates. The seamless transitions between tracks deserve praise and load times are virtually non-existent.

Visual presentation walks a fine line between spectacular and overwhelming. CrossWorlds embraces a vibrant, almost psychedelic aesthetic that perfectly captures the energy of high-speed racing. Particle effects explode across the screen as karts barrel through boost pads and item pickups, creating a rainbow of colors that can be breathtaking during intense moments. The screen can also become overstimulating during heated races, with so much happening simultaneously that tracking your vehicle becomes challenging. 

Character models and track environments show impressive attention to detail, particularly in how they faithfully recreate beloved Sonic locations while adapting them for racing. The way Rooftop Run’s architecture seamlessly blends into Chemical Plant’s industrial aesthetic during transitions is nothing short of beauty.

The soundtrack is where CrossWorlds truly shines. Sonic games have always boasted exceptional music, and CrossWorlds continues that tradition. Classic tracks receive modern remixes that amplify their energy for racing contexts, while original compositions feel perfectly at home alongside series favorites. The way the music dynamically shifts during transitions creates moments of excitement that extend beyond the racing itself. 

My primary criticism centers on the tutorial system, or rather, the lack thereof. CrossWorlds can be unforgiving on higher difficulties, demanding mastery of techniques that the game never properly explains. While experienced kart racing fans might adapt quickly, newcomers might get a bit frustrated. A more comprehensive onboarding process would help immensely.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds represents everything I wanted from a modern Sonic kart racer. It respects the series’ history while pushing the genre forward through innovative mechanics and thoughtful design. For anyone seeking a kart racer that prioritizes fun, variety, and replayability, CrossWorlds delivers on all fronts.