Sonic Racing CrossWorlds nails classic karting — early tests put pressure on Mario Kart World

Why Sonic Racing CrossWorlds actually matters

Sega’s back in the kart lane, and this one caught my attention because it finally feels like the team remembered why Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed hit so hard in 2012-and what didn’t land in Team Sonic Racing’s team-focused experiment. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds launches September 25 on PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series, and Switch, with a later release planned for Switch 2. Early reviews are strong (sitting at 82 on PS5), praising the fat stack of customization options, punchy tracks, and a soundtrack that actually slaps-par for the course with Sonic, but still worth celebrating. The twist this time is Sega doubling down on classic Grand Prix structure while Nintendo has pushed Mario Kart World toward open-world. That sets up a clean contrast for 2025: tight, lap-based racing versus sprawling highway vibes.

Key takeaways

• Traditional three-lap Grand Prix returns, with a clever portal branch that mixes up lap 2 without breaking the format.
• Super Sonic Speed mode (think 200cc) gives skilled players a proper challenge-braking actually matters.
• Deep kart tuning and pre-race gadgets offer real buildcraft, not just cosmetics.
• Crossplay at launch is a big deal for matchmaking and longevity.

Breaking down the announcement (minus the marketing gloss)

CrossWorlds runs on eight cups at launch, each with four races, and sticks to speed classes that mirror Mario Kart’s 50/100/150—with an extra gear: Super Sonic Speed. The handling model stays readable and responsive, but at top speed you’ll need to brake into corners and think about your line like it’s a time trial. That’s how you raise the skill ceiling without gatekeeping newcomers.

The portal mechanic is the game’s signature twist. At the end of lap one, the leader chooses one of two portals that everyone gets yanked through, sending lap two to an alternate route before lap three snaps back to the original track. It’s a neat tension point: get out front and you control the flow; chase the lead and you need to be ready for either branch. The fourth race in each cup remixes segments from the first three, which is smarter than it sounds—it keeps you on your toes without asking you to learn a brand-new layout every time.

Customization is where Sega’s going for the W. You can swap front, rear, and wheels, with clear stat changes for speed, acceleration, handling, power, and boost. Then there are gadgets—pre-race modifiers like quicker drift charge, extra item capacity, or starting boosts. This isn’t just “pick a body and pray.” You can build a kart for short straights, one for drift-heavy circuits, and a separate set for Super Sonic Speed. If you like tinkering, there’s meat on the bone.

Roster-wise, Sonic staples are joined by crossovers like SpongeBob and Persona—yes, it’s chaotic, but kart racers are basically crossover parties anyway. The OST is loud, bright, and fast in that unmistakable Sonic way, which helps the whole package feel kinetic. Early tests also point to solid crossplay, a feature Nintendo still refuses to embrace; that alone can keep a player base healthy across platforms.

Mario Kart World vs. CrossWorlds: two different futures for kart racing

With Mario Kart World leaning into open-world, highway-style racing, Nintendo’s chasing novelty and exploration. That’s bold—and divisive. CrossWorlds answers by being the anti-open-world: fast, focused cups built for “one more run” nights with friends. If you fell in love with the lap-to-lap mind games of Mario Kart 8’s 200cc and miss tight race structures, CrossWorlds is speaking your language.

• Structure: CrossWorlds keeps traditional Grand Prix; Mario Kart World experiments with roaming and dynamic transitions.
• Speed: CrossWorlds’ Super Sonic Speed is a skill check; World’s speeds feel variable but less punishing.
• Customization: Sega offers real stat-tuning and gadgets; Nintendo keeps it mostly cosmetic.
• Multiplayer: CrossWorlds supports crossplay; World is still ecosystem-locked.

The caveats: what could derail the hype

Items are reportedly fine but generic. That keeps chaos in check, sure, but kart racers live on item identity and comeback tools; if everything feels interchangeable, late-race swings risk feeling flat. The portal system also raises a question: does giving the leader the choice amplify front-running advantages? Rubber-banding and item balance will have to counter that, especially at higher speeds.

Progression sounds grindy. I don’t mind unlocking parts if the track-to-reward loop is generous, but kart racers are magnets for FOMO passes and drip-fed cosmetics. Sega says more cups and crossovers are coming; that’s exciting as long as the grind never becomes a nudge toward a cash shop. Keep an eye on how gadgets impact competitive balance—if certain combos become mandatory, variety dies fast.

Finally, crossplay lives and dies on netcode. If the open network tests are any indication, we’re in decent shape, but launch weekend will be the real trial by fire. The Switch version also needs stable performance; with a later Switch 2 release planned, parity across platforms is going to be a storyline.

What gamers should watch next

Right now, CrossWorlds has momentum: an 82 on PS5 at launch, positive chatter around track variety and that energetic soundtrack, and a feature set that respects traditionalists without feeling dusty. If Sega nails post-launch support—new cups that push the portal idea in creative ways, ranked playlists, and smart balance tweaks—this could become the go-to “serious fun” kart racer while Mario Kart World explores the open road.

TL;DR

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds doubles down on classic Grand Prix racing with a smart portal twist, deep customization, and crossplay. Early reviews are strong, but item identity, grind, and netcode will decide if it’s a long-term rival to Mario Kart World’s open-world experiment.