Now, I’m not the first guy to jump up in rabid excitement over the release of a new mascot-focused racing title, but holy hell did I have a fantastic time with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. And while this absolutely is not the iconic hedgehog’s first foray into the realm of racing games (beginning with Sonic Drift back in 1994), it just might be the most consistently enjoyable offering to date – boasting a large roster of both Sonic-related and guest characters to choose from, easy to pick up but hard to master controls and gameplay mechanics, as well as a whole host of genuinely great-looking and varied track designs.



What makes the kart racing genre so special is how accessible titles are for those out there who may have never touched a single video game before in their lives – and CrossWorlds is certainly no exception. Of course, merely explaining to your younger nephew or woefully inexperienced grandma that holding down the X button causes you to move forward (on PlayStation 5, at least) is the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to your options for winning a race here – and it won’t be long at all before you’ll need to gradually introduce them to concepts like drifting, coin collection, and mid-air tricks, if they want to get the most out of their time with the game and its systems.



These are the core fundamentals for achieving victory in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - and learning how to efficiently utilise these elements is key to reaching anything considered remotely speedy, as far as real competition is concerned. Coin collection ups your speed, and there are plenty of these items scattered across each track (collisions result in coin loss, however). Nailing as many mid-air tricks as possible via left stick manipulation after hitting a ramp, and before landing back down on the track, also nets you a nice boost. Finally, drifting (R1 button by default) is probably the most important (and hard to master) element of speed gain you can take advantage of. The longer you drift, the faster you’ll go, as indicated by the multi-level gauge appearing beside your vehicle.

What makes the kart racing genre so special is how accessible titles are for those out there who may have never touched a single video game before in their lives – and CrossWorlds is certainly no exception.

As far as primary game modes go, obviously both single player and multiplayer offerings are available (with full crossplay, too!). The Grand Prix mode comes in five different flavours of speed/classes or Sonic-ified levels of difficulty, with seven themed three-course events (culminating in a fourth course combining all three prior tracks per event) to partake in initially. The more multiplayer-focused Race Park, on the other hand, consists of several team-based races revolving around different gimmicks, such as boosting the team with the most collected ring’s speed – with multiple victories against AI enemies awarding various goodies.



On the online front, getting your friends together for a bout is incredibly easy to set up, with the Free Race mode supporting up to 12 players at once. Meanwhile, competitive types will get a kick out of the ranked World Match option – where you’ll either shine like a star or be viciously humbled by a god-tier Shadow the Hedgehog main. Suffice it to say, this is, without a doubt, absolutely not where new players should be taking their first steps.

And Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds simply would not be a kart racer without a selection of items and gadgets to augment your high-speed escapades. As I’m sure you’ve already correctly guessed, items are obtained at specific locations on the track mid-race and serve to either assist you in achieving victory or make your opponent’s lives as miserable as humanly possible the second they take the lead or slightly fall behind you. From standard speed boosts to temporary monster truck transformation, to crushing race leaders with weights or even dropping iron balls in your wake to catch unsuspecting drivers - it’s all here and gloriously chaotic.



Gadgets (or Gadget Plates) switch things up further, acting as customisable presets featuring numerous bonus buffs and abilities for your driver. Each Gadget takes up a different number of slots (more of which you’ll unlock through gameplay) and range from merely granting you a boost right from the start of the race, adding to the maximum amount of items able to be held at one time, or increasing the speed at which you accumulate drift charge as you hurtle around corners.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds simply would not be a kart racer without a selection of items and gadgets to augment your high-speed escapades.

The customisation extends beyond mere Gadget picks, however. Vehicles (or Machines, as the game prefers to call them) come in different flavours depending on what stat you’re in the market for. Whether you’re prioritising speed, handling, acceleration, power, or boosting, there’s something here to suit your taste. Individual parts (wheels, front and back sections of each Machine) can be switched out at will, with further options unlockable through Donpa tickets earned via racing or completing challenges. It’s fairly easy to earn these bits of currency, by the way, so those of you out there worrying about potential grinding issues can rest easy. Sonic would never do that to you. And in case you’re wondering, the roster of playable characters aren’t locked to using only one type of Machine.



Speaking of CrossWorlds' roster, boy, do we ever have a healthy list of colourful cast members to choose from. The expected lineup of Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles are all accounted for, but considerably lesser-known characters (as far as the general, non-Sonic superfan masses are aware of, anyway) are likewise included for good measure - Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, and Jet the Hawk, just to name a few. Guest characters aplenty seem to be on the horizon too in the form of DLC, from realms far beyond the Green Hill Zone – including Persona 5’s Joker, Like a Dragon’s Ichiban Kasuga, and Minecraft’s Steve and Alex.

The “CrossWorlds” referenced in the game’s title isn’t just a bit of fancy marketing or a buzzword, either. It’s an actual in-game feature that usually occurs after the first lap of a race is completed. The player in first place gets to decide between two levels (a “random track” option may appear, as well) displayed ahead of them in the form of large teleportation rings. Driving on the appropriate side of the track acts as the player’s selection, and all riders seamlessly transition from the current course to the next (with only a slight accompanying dip in frame rate, depending on the desired track). It’s an interesting addition to the typical kart race template, for sure, and it appears that a good chunk of these CrossWorlds are exclusively accessed through this mechanic, as opposed to showing up in the usual Grand Prix track rotations.



Some tracks also include sections of flight and water traversal, and your ride transforms accordingly to better suit the situation, still handling just as well as the standard form on solid ground – even if the inverted flight controls caught me off guard the first time around. Simply put, regardless of chosen mode, Machine, or character, zooming around the track feels incredibly satisfying - with the inevitable track familiarity growth and the newly added CrossWorlds functionality only adding to the overall experience.

Guest characters aplenty seem to be on the horizon too in the form of DLC, from realms far beyond the Green Hill Zone – including Persona 5’s Joker, Like a Dragon’s Ichiban Kasuga, and Minecraft’s Steve and Alex.

Aside from the already mentioned rare and ever-so-slight frame rate dip when switching between tracks using the CrossWorlds system, CrossWorlds displays consistently rock-solid and smooth performance – which is exactly what you need from a title like this, where going ridiculously fast is the name of the game. It’s worth noting, though, that those out there with severe motion sickness might want to stick to the lowest speed option available here, as races can quickly become hilariously disorienting affairs with items in constant use and as a direct result of the layout of some of the tracks.



Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a deliciously addictive, high-octane trip into the Sonicverse and a solid entry into a field that often feels impossible to associate with anything other than Mario Kart. Featuring smooth as silk performance coupled with excellent vehicle controls and a bevy of aesthetically pleasing track designs, all wrapped up in an iconic and instantly recognisable Sonic-branded bundle, this is an easy recommendation for kart racing enthusiasts – whether you care for the Sega mascot or not.

PS5 Review code provided by Sega | Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is available at Nexus Hub for R1,280