The Sonic racing series has always been a bit of a wildcard, bringing together familiar characters, colorful tracks, and lighthearted mayhem. With Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Sonic Team and SEGA are looking to push the franchise forward in a way that feels both ambitious and technologically impressive. We went hands-on with the game at Gamescom, and it’s clear that this isn’t just a rehash of Team Sonic Racing – it’s a bigger, bolder attempt to shake up kart racing with new mechanics, more customization, and a roster that taps into Sonic’s history like never before.
What we know
At its heart, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racer that blends traditional circuit racing with a dimension-hopping twist. Races unfold across 24 tracks, but at key points players can warp through Travel Rings to shift into one of 15 “CrossWorlds” – alternate dimensions that change the layout, hazards, and strategies mid-race. This mechanic isn’t just cosmetic; it adds an element of unpredictability, as players must quickly adapt to new terrain and conditions.
The game features the largest roster yet for a Sonic racer, with 23 playable characters pulled from across the Sonic and wider SEGA universe. Vehicles are highly customizable, with 45 different base rides and over 70 gadgets that allow players to fine-tune their machines. Items also play a big role, with 23 weapons and power-ups available, ranging from familiar speed boosts to wild newcomers like the Monster Truck transformation.
Modes cater to both solo and multiplayer audiences. Local split-screen returns for up to four players, along with a brand-new Race Park party mode. Online, players can compete in World Match events with up to 12 racers, or hone their skills in Time Trials. The combination of modes, customization, and dimensional track shifting aims to give CrossWorlds more replay value than its predecessors.
What we saw
During Gamescom, we went hands-on with an advanced build of the game that included a broad selection of racers and tracks. We played through a full cup campaign across four courses, testing out the Travel Ring mechanic as well as vehicle customization and the variety of items available.
What we thought
The most striking thing about CrossWorlds is how it uses current-gen hardware to create seamless, flashy transitions between dimensions. Warping through Travel Rings and instantly finding yourself in a dramatically different environment feels exhilarating, and the effect is reminiscent of the quick-hopping spectacle of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. It’s not just a visual trick either – it forces you to adapt, sometimes changing the flow of a race in surprising ways. This gives the game a technical edge over many kart racers, while also injecting unpredictability into the action.
In terms of handling, the game feels like an evolution of Team Sonic Racing. Vehicles control smoothly and intuitively, with drifting and boosting feeling responsive right from the start. The gadget system and customizable loadouts add a layer of depth for those who want to tinker, while still keeping things accessible for players who just want to jump in and race. Items continue to provide chaotic fun, though balance will be key – some of the new ones, like the Monster Truck, had a tendency to dominate when used at the right moment.
Visually, the game is bright, colorful, and fast – exactly what you’d expect from a Sonic racer. Character models look sharp, tracks are packed with detail, and the warping between worlds never loses its wow factor. That said, while the dimensional gimmick is flashy, some of the track design we saw felt a little too straightforward once the novelty wore off. A few courses leaned heavily on spectacle rather than offering clever shortcuts or dynamic hazards, leaving us hoping later builds will showcase more inventive layouts – or that we just missed stuff this time around.
From a presentation standpoint, the game nails the Sonic energy with upbeat music, vibrant visuals, and an overall sense of speed and excitement. It already feels like a crowd-pleaser for fans of the franchise, and the addition of expanded modes and the largest roster yet makes it feel like the most complete Sonic racing package to date. If the track design can rise to the level of the game’s mechanics and presentation, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds could be the most exciting entry in the series yet.
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