Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:16:26 PM Wikipedia source
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a 2025 kart racing game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. A spinoff in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it incorporates characters and features from previous Sonic racing games. The game's main new feature is the "CrossWorld" mechanic, which causes racers to travel to other tracks in the middle of a race. Several guest characters from other franchises appear via downloadable content. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was developed by Sonic Team, with members of the Initial D arcade games' development team contributing. The game was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 25, 2025. A Nintendo Switch 2 version followed on December 4, 2025. CrossWorlds received positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay and customization features, though its single-player content and downloadable characters' presentation were criticized.
Infobox
Developer
Sonic Team
Publisher
Sega
Directors
mw- Masaru KohayakawaShingo Kawakami
Producers
Takashi IizukaRyuichi Taki
Designers
Norio IshiiTakamitsu KobayashiRyo TanabeToshifumi Hara
Programmer
Shumpei Takeyama
Artists
Yuji YamagaTakeshi Higuchi
Writer
Ian Flynn
Composer
Takahiro Kai (see below)
Series
Sonic the Hedgehog
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Platforms
Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 4PlayStation 5WindowsXbox OneXbox Series X/SNintendo Switch 2
Release
Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S September 25, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 December 4, 2025
Genre
Kart racing
Modes
Single-player, multiplayer
Tables
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregator
Metacritic
Score
82/100 (PS5)88/100 (XSXS)84/100 (PC) 75/100 (NS)
OpenCritic
OpenCritic
Aggregator
OpenCritic
Score
95% recommend
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | 82/100 (PS5)88/100 (XSXS)84/100 (PC) 75/100 (NS) |
| OpenCritic | 95% recommend |
Review scores
Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Publication
Eurogamer
Score
3/5
Famitsu
Famitsu
Publication
Famitsu
Score
33/40
Game Informer
Game Informer
Publication
Game Informer
Score
8.5/10
GameSpot
GameSpot
Publication
GameSpot
Score
7/10
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+
Publication
GamesRadar+
Score
4/5
HobbyConsolas
HobbyConsolas
Publication
HobbyConsolas
Score
80/100
IGN
IGN
Publication
IGN
Score
9/10
Nintendo Life
Nintendo Life
Publication
Nintendo Life
Score
7/10
Push Square
Push Square
Publication
Push Square
Score
8/10
Shacknews
Shacknews
Publication
Shacknews
Score
8/10
TechRadar
TechRadar
Publication
TechRadar
Score
4.5/5
Video Games Chronicle
Video Games Chronicle
Publication
Video Games Chronicle
Score
4/5
| Publication | Score |
| Eurogamer | 3/5 |
| Famitsu | 33/40 |
| Game Informer | 8.5/10 |
| GameSpot | 7/10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 4/5 |
| HobbyConsolas | 80/100 |
| IGN | 9/10 |
| Nintendo Life | 7/10 |
| Push Square | 8/10 |
| Shacknews | 8/10 |
| TechRadar | 4.5/5 |
| Video Games Chronicle | 4/5 |
· Reception › Accolades
2025
2025
Year
2025
Award
Golden Joystick Awards
Category
Console Game of the Year
Result
Nominated
The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025
Year
The Game Awards 2025
Award
Best Family Game
Category
Pending
Best Sports / Racing Game
Best Sports / Racing Game
Year
Best Sports / Racing Game
Award
Pending
2026
2026
Year
2026
Award
22nd British Academy Games Awards
Category
Family
Result
Longlisted
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2025 | Golden Joystick Awards | Console Game of the Year | Nominated | |
| The Game Awards 2025 | Best Family Game | Pending | ||
| Best Sports / Racing Game | Pending | |||
| 2026 | 22nd British Academy Games Awards | Family | Longlisted |
References
- Japanese: ソニックレーシングクロスワールド, Hepburn: Sonikku Reshingu Kurosu Warudo
- Attributed to multiple sources:
- Free post-launch addition
- Paid downloadable content
- The four ghosts (Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde) share a single character slot, acting as individually-selectable charact
- Unlockable, playable only in Grand Prix mode
- Pre-order bonus
- Attributed to multiple sources:
- Based on 80 reviews
- Based on 5 reviews
- Based on 9 reviews
- Based on 4 reviews
- Based on 67 reviews
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/racing/sonics-takashi-iizuka-dunks-on-mario-kart-world-as-sonic-racing-crossworlds-unveils-hatsune-miku-persona-5-and-minecraft-steve/
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/sonic-racing-crossworlds-nintendo-switch-2-edition-launches-december-4
- Shacknewshttps://www.shacknews.com/article/146000/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review-score
- CGMagazinehttps://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds-ps5/
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/sega-reveals-sonic-racing-crossworlds-follow-up-to-team-sonic-racing
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-the-first-preview
- 4Gamerhttps://www.4gamer.net/games/882/G088214/20250606038/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-the-first-preview
- Digital Trendshttps://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-racing-crossworlds-hands-on-preview/
- Siliconerahttps://www.siliconera.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds-features-extreme-gear-transforming-and-cream-the-rabbit/
- Pure Xboxhttps://www.purexbox.com/news/2025/02/sonic-racing-crossworlds-confirms-sega-characters-extreme-gear-and-much-more
- CGMagazinehttps://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/sonic-racing-crossworlds/
- Video Games Chroniclehttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/sonic-racingcrossworlds/
- Game Informerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/06/07/rolling-around-at-the-speed-of-sound
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/07/sonic-racing-crossworlds-for-switch-2-launches-this-holiday-customization-and-gadgets-trailer
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/02/sonic-racing-crossworlds-adds-characters-from-sega-universes
- Shacknewshttps://www.shacknews.com/article/145663/sonic-racing-crossworlds-august-2025-preview-ps5
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworld-preorders-are-live-on-console-and-pc/1100-6532225/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-drops-the-best-aspects-of-its-predecessors/1100-6532469/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review-an-arcade-kart-racer-for-gearheads/1900-6418408/
- TechRadarhttps://www.techradar.com/gaming/sonic-racing-crossworlds-preview
- Nintendo World Reporthttps://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/72198/sonic-racing-crossworlds-hands-on-preview-gamescom-2025
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-open-network-test-when-does-it-start-how-to-sign-up-and-what-to-expect/1100-6534299/
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/02/sonic-racing-crossworlds-debut-trailer-screenshots
- Push Squarehttps://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-free-and-paid-dlc-adds-guests-from-minecraft-like-a-dragon-more
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/guides/sonic-racing-crossworlds-full-character-roster-every-racer-confirmed-so-far1
- PCGamesNhttps://www.pcgamesn.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds/characters-tracks
- VGChttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/interview-sonic-team-head-talks-crossroads-competing-with-mario-kart-world-and-leak-culture/
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/sonic-the-hedgehog/persona-5-and-hatsune-miku-arent-enough-sega-confirms-mario-kart-world-rival-sonic-racing-crossworlds-will-get-new-characters-every-month/
- Push Squarehttps://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/02/ps5-ps4-kart-racer-sonic-racing-crossworlds-rumoured-sega-stars-could-be-dlc
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/sonic-racing-crossworlds-dlc-spongebob-squarepants-pack-launches-in-november-free-character-updates-nights-aiai-tangle-and-whisper-to-follow
- Video Games Chroniclehttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-and-pac-mans-next-games-will-have-crossover-dlc-featuring-each-other/
- VGChttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mega-man-has-officially-been-confirmed-as-a-sonic-racing-crossworlds-dlc-character/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-officially-reveals-nickelodeon-collaboration
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2025-06-12/sonic-team-studio-head-takashi-iizuka-bid-to-appeal-to-japanese-and-global-audiences-through-sonic-/.225415
- AUTOMATON WESThttps://automaton-media.com/en/news/initial-d-arcade-developers-involved-in-segas-new-sonic-racing-game/
- 4Gamerhttps://www.4gamer.net/games/882/G088214/20250606039/
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/sonic-the-hedgehog/veteran-sonic-producer-says-sonic-racing-crossworlds-team-completely-removed-items-from-the-game-if-they-were-too-stressful-or-let-players-win-all-the-time/
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/iizuka-explains-how-sonic-racing-crossworlds-dlc-guest-characters-were-chosen-and-why-they-dont-have-voices/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/wait-busted-member-is-the-singer-of-sonic-racing-crossworlds-opening
- IGN Italiahttps://it.ign.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds/220861/review/sonic-racing-crossworlds-la-recensione
- Sonic the Hedgehog [@Sonic_Hedgehog]https://x.com/Sonic_Hedgehog/status/1956023006112694660
- Games Presshttps://www.gamespress.com/en-GB/SEGA-Shares-Latest-OST-Video-for-Sonic-Racing-CrossWorlds
- Siliconerahttps://www.siliconera.com/project-onsoku-stars-hatsune-miku-and-sonic-the-hedgehog/
- GameSparkhttps://www.gamespark.jp/article/2025/11/12/159377.html
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/the-next-big-sonic-game-is-sonic-racing-crossworlds-the-game-awards-2024
- PC Gamerhttps://www.pcgamer.com/games/racing/sonic-racing-crossworlds-looks-like-a-return-to-the-over-the-top-arcade-fun-of-all-star-racing-transformed-and-well-get-to-play-it-this-month/
- VG247https://www.vg247.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds-gameplay-trailer
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-racing-crossworlds-getting-closed-beta-test-this-month/1100-6529457/
- Digital Trendshttps://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/how-to-join-sonic-racing-crossworlds-test/
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-racing-crossworlds-open-network-test-to-begin-on-29th-august
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/09/sonic-racing-crossworlds-single-player-demo-launches-september-17-for-ps5-xbox-series-switch-and-pc
- Kotakuhttps://kotaku.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds-leak-mario-kart-spongebob-1851783558
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-switch-2-version-announced-alongside-paid-upgrade-for-switch
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-adds-switch-2-version-launches-september-25
- Esports Illustrated On SIhttps://www.si.com/esports/news/mclaren-f1-announces-partnership-with-sonic
- Gamereactor UKhttps://www.gamereactor.eu/sonic-racing-crossworlds-gets-an-official-and-free-manga-1570303/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/sega-teases-new-sonic-racing-animation-speeding-ahead-this-september
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-08-22/sonic-racing-crossworlds-game-video-previews-animation-project-teases-august-29-premiere/.227965
- Bleeding Cool Newshttps://bleedingcool.com/comics/idw-december-2025-full-solicits-the-future-of-kai-sei-era-godzilla/
- Penguin Random House Comics Retailhttps://prhcomics.com/book/?isbn=82771403491200111
- CGMagazinehttps://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds-ps5/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-can-now-give-you-directions-while-you-drive/1100-6535443/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/sega-mocks-mario-kart-world-and-its-dull-open-world-in-sonic-racing-crossworlds-trailer
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds-mario-kart-world-commercial/
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/sonic-racing-crossworlds-rival-mario-kart-world-launch-date-3892848
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/sonic-the-hedgehog/the-mario-kart-world-shade-couldnt-be-any-more-obvious-as-sega-tells-you-to-leave-the-open-road-behind-and-play-sonic-racing-crossworlds-in-a-throwback-to-the-90s-console-wars/
- Igromaniahttps://www.igromania.ru/news/155537/v-novom-trejlere-sonic-racing-crossworlds-potrollili-nintendo-s-eyo-mario-kart-world/
- Digital Trendshttps://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-racing-crossworlds-hands-on-preview/
- ComicBook.comhttps://comicbook.com/gaming/news/sonic-racing-crossworlds-preview/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/02/round-up-the-first-impressions-of-sonic-racing-crossworlds-closed-network-test-are-in
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds/critic-reviews/?platform=pc
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch
- OpenCritichttps://opencritic.com/game/18727/sonic-racing-crossworlds
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review
- Famitsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1917
- Game Informerhttps://gameinformer.com/review/sonic-racing-crossworlds/a-new-dimension-of-kart-racing
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/racing/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review/
- HobbyConsolashttps://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-sonic-racing-crossworlds-entrega-fastuosa-saga-apuesta-total-diversion-1484076
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sonic-racing-crossworlds
- Push Squarehttps://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-racing-crossworlds
- TechRadarhttps://www.techradar.com/gaming/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review
- "Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Game Review"https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/game/pc/sonic-racing/crossworlds/.229465
- Kotakuhttps://kotaku.com/sonic-racing-crossworlds-crossover-review-hatsune-miku-2000626583
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/famitsu-sales-9-22-25-9-28-25
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/09/uk-charts-fc-26-scores-an-early-winner-and-keeps-sonic-racing-from-the-podium
- PlayStation.Bloghttps://blog.playstation.com/2025/10/02/playstation-store-september-2025s-top-downloads/
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/famitsu-sales-9-29-25-10-5-25
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/sonic-racing-crossworlds-sales-top-one-million
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/sonic-the-hedgehog/sonic-racing-crossworlds-has-sold-1-million-copies-in-under-a-month-while-the-overwhelmingly-positive-steam-rating-holds-strong/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/uk-charts-mario-galaxy-starts-strong-but-it-cant-topple-sonys-latest
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/uk-charts-mario-galaxy-loses-steam-as-battlefield-blasts-onto-the-scene
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/uk-charts-pokemon-legends-z-a-sales-almost-5050-across-switch-and-switch-2
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/events-conferences/golden-joystick-awards-2025-all-winners/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/game-awards-nominations-2025-list-1236583686/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/bafta-game-longlist-indiana-jones-ghost-yotei-split-fiction-1236604921/