Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds — Everything We Know

What happens when you take Sonic’s iconic high-speed racing, mix in multiverse madness, and throw in characters from franchises like Persona, Yakuza, and even Hatsune Miku? You get something that feels like a chaotic dream — but in the best way possible. That’s what Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is shaping up to be.

This is clearly not just another kart racer with a Sonic skin slapped on. CrossWorlds is packing in wild mechanics that warp you into different dimensions mid-race. It’s going big with customization, gadgets, and an absolutely massive roster. From Sonic Prime characters to crossovers with Minecraft and Joker from Persona 5, this is Sonic racing on a level we haven’t seen before. And yes, a Switch 2 version is coming too!

It’s hitting all major platforms this September, and it’s coming in hot with multiple editions, pre-order bonuses, and even a premium Collector’s Edition with enough swag to make any Sonic fan drool. So what’s the gameplay like? And is this the next big thing for arcade racers? We’ve gathered all the information about its editions, gameplay, and release details. Here’s everything we know about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

What is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds?

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is SEGA’s upcoming arcade racing game featuring Sonic and a huge lineup of characters from the Sonic universe and beyond. It’s the next evolution of the Sonic racing series, but it’s not just about speed — this time, the tracks literally change mid-race through dimensional warping. This mechanic is what gives the game its “CrossWorlds” name and separates it from anything we’ve seen before in the franchise.

The core focus is fast-paced, over-the-top racing with both solo and team-based modes. The level of variety and unpredictability is looking like a major highlight here.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Story

Racing games don’t usually follow a deep or emotional storyline, and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is no exception. This one doesn’t throw you into a dramatic war or a grand save-the-world plot. Instead, it sets the stage for something much more fun: a high-speed, dimension-hopping tournament packed with chaos, rivalries, and unexpected crossovers.

Officially, the story seems minimal. Sega’s blurb just says Sonic “has traveled to all kinds of worlds over the years, but when the Travel Rings bring him to the multiverse, a brand-new adventure… and wild competitions await!” That sums it up — Sonic and his crew get pulled into a multiverse where each world hosts insane new racing challenges. It feels more like a setup to bring Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Knuckles, and a bunch of surprise guests into wild races across unpredictable worlds.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Gameplay

As someone who played Team Sonic Racing back in the day, I can say it had some great ideas. Team mechanics, slick visuals, and a solid track list made it enjoyable. But it lacked that extra “wow” factor, and the roster felt a bit limited. That’s where CrossWorlds already seems to be pushing boundaries.

First off, Travel Rings. This new mechanic literally lets you warp into new dimensions mid-race. That means unpredictable changes in environments and track layouts during a single race — something I haven’t seen done quite like this in other racers. Imagine going from space to a lush jungle or even a Minecraft-inspired level in one lap. That’s wild.

Then there’s the customization. We’re talking about over 70 gadgets you can equip and combine to affect how your vehicle performs. This kind of pre-race loadout system lets you fine-tune your ride to match your playstyle. Add in vehicle part swaps, power-up tuning, and visual tweaks — this game is letting players build their ideal racing machines.

Sega’s official preview says you’ll “race across land, sea, air, and space” as you warp through dimensions. The game supports local split-screen in Grand Prix races as well as up to 12-player online World Matches, so you can battle friends or rivals from around the globe. The roster is huge: we’ve heard there will be 23 playable characters racing on 24 main tracks. Moreover, the return of Extreme Gear hoverboards from Sonic Riders is a nice touch too. It’s been a while since we’ve seen them, and bringing them back adds even more variety to how you race.

Development

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is being developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. Given their history with the franchise, it’s no surprise they’re the ones behind this ambitious project. What’s different this time is the scale. The way they’re combining classic Sonic racing with massive crossover content and a multi-dimensional twist shows they’re aiming for something that can stand out in a crowded genre. We’ve seen SEGA do character crossovers before, but this is on another level.

Trailer

The trailer was shared during Summer Game Fest 2025 and is definitely a must-watch. It highlights the game’s key features and shows that it will include multiple characters, including fan favorites like Hatsune Miku and Ichiban Kasuga. It also showcases different tracks, unique vehicles, and a glimpse of the Minecraft-themed racing world, which looks especially exciting.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Release Date, Platforms, and Editions

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to release on September 25, 2025, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed and will arrive at a later date.

No matter what platform you’re on, SEGA is making sure there’s a version for you. And there are multiple editions to choose from depending on how deep you want to go.

Standard Edition (Physical & Digital)

• $59.99 on Switch

• $69.99 on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Switch 2

• Includes the full game

• Pre-Order Bonus: Sonic Unleashed‘s Werehog Sonic + vehicle + decal

Digital Deluxe Edition

• $79.99 on Switch, $89.99 on other platforms

• Includes everything in the Standard Edition

• 3-day early access (starting September 22, 2025, not available on Switch/Switch 2)

• Season Pass with guest characters, vehicles, and tracks from franchises like Minecraft

• Playable characters from Sonic Prime: Knuckles the Dread, Rusty Rose, Tails Nine

• Pre-Order Bonus: Werehog Sonic + vehicle + decal

Physical Collector’s Edition (Limited Run Games)

• $249.99 for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch

• $199.99 for PC (digital code only, not printed inside box)

• Includes everything in the Deluxe Edition

• Physical collectibles

For more information, you can visit Sega’s official website here.