Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. It features characters from the Sonic universe racing across tracks that incorporate dimensional shifts through Travel Rings. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game along with the Season Pass on PS4 and PS5.
Gameplay
Races take place on 24 main tracks where players use Travel Rings to warp into one of 15 CrossWorlds between laps. These shifts alter the environment and introduce new challenges or shortcuts. Players select from 23 Sonic characters and customize rides using 45 vehicles paired with 70 gadgets. Items number 23 in total, with options that include returning power-ups and additions such as the Monster Truck. Four speed classes serve as both difficulty settings and performance tiers. Local split-screen supports up to four players, while online play reaches 12 participants with cross-platform support.
Game Modes
Grand Prix serves as the primary offline progression mode, consisting of cups that each contain four races. The first three races occur on designated tracks with a randomized CrossWorld segment, and the fourth combines one lap from each prior course. World Match provides online ranked competition against up to 11 other players, awarding rank points toward higher tiers. Friend Match allows custom online lobbies with adjustable rules for speed, teams, courses, and items. Race Park functions as a party mode with six distinct formats that emphasize team objectives or altered conditions, playable both locally and online. Time Trials focus on single-player best times across individual courses, with leaderboards and unlockable music tracks. Custom Match enables offline split-screen races with full rule customization.
Customization and Progression
Vehicle building combines base karts with gadgets that players unlock through play. Gadgets provide advantages in speed, handling, or defense during races. Progression occurs across modes, with rewards such as higher speed classes, mirror tracks, additional gadgets, and music tracks from prior Sonic games. Beating computer-controlled teams in Race Park unlocks their vehicles. Time Trial performance grants access to a jukebox for selecting background music per lap.
Current State and Updates
The game launched with a Season Pass that delivers the Sonic Prime Character Pack at release and six additional content packs over time. These packs introduce guest characters, vehicles, tracks, and emotes from various franchises. Ongoing support includes sequential DLC releases, with events and updates continuing after launch. Local and online multiplayer remain core, with no single-player story campaign present.
Is It Worth Playing?
The variety of modes supports both solo play through Grand Prix and Time Trials and group sessions via Race Park and split-screen options. Online features like World Match and Friend Match provide ranked and custom competition. Customization depth and dimensional track changes add replay value. The Season Pass extends content with new characters and tracks for players interested in ongoing additions. Those who enjoy arcade-style kart racing with Sonic characters and dimensional mechanics will find consistent engagement across local and online play. Players seeking a focused single-player narrative may find the experience centered more on racing loops and multiplayer variety.
