Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review – Sonic’s best racing game yet

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Some game types have one clear leader, and kart racers are the perfect example. Mario Kart is overwhelmingly the most popular, and despite many challengers, nothing has come close to surpassing it.

Until now.

Over the years, there have been several Sonic the Hedgehog racing games, and most have been decent enough. While *Sonic and Sega All-Stars* was a pleasant diversion, it didn’t make a huge impact. *Sonic Team Racing* was enjoyable, but felt a bit unrefined and didn’t feature many playable characters. And it’s best to just forget about *Sonic R*.

As a huge kart racing fan, I can finally say Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the real deal! It’s genuinely great, and what I love is that it totally *gets* what makes Mario Kart so fun, but it also isn’t afraid to try some new things with the gameplay to make it feel fresh and unique. It just *flows* really well!

Compared to Sonic Team Racing, this game feels much more polished when you’re driving. It might seem strange considering Sonic is all about speed, but the previous game didn’t quite capture that feeling of actually going fast. This time, the visuals, sound effects, and a more dynamic camera work together to really make you feel like you’re speeding around – though it’s a shame none of the tracks feature the song ‘Speed of Sound’!

The game heavily emphasizes speed and pushing your limits. While you’re already fast, it constantly gives you opportunities to go even faster. Drifting isn’t just for show; it’s just as crucial as acceleration. Even though the tracks are wide, you’ll need to drift around almost every corner to maintain your speed and navigate effectively.

Drifting adds a new level of challenge and reward. You’ll need to master starting and ending drifts at the perfect spots to navigate corners quickly. Successfully drifting also fills a boost meter, giving you a significant speed boost coming out of turns. Just be careful not to drift right into another corner and crash – something I often do!

Races feel much more dynamic and engaging because you can’t just hold down the gas pedal and win. You’re constantly scanning the track and planning your next move. Unlike some other racing games where you can pull ahead and stay there, this game keeps the entire 12-racer pack close together. While other games with larger fields can feel isolating, here a single mistake can quickly drop you to the back, but it’s easy to recover with a few skillful maneuvers. This creates a constant, exciting battle where maintaining a lead is never guaranteed.

The game’s Grand Prix mode is a significant improvement over what Mario Kart World attempted. Unlike Mario Kart’s lengthy and bland transition roads between tracks, CrossWorlds immediately throws you into the next race via a quick portal, making for a much more seamless and exciting experience.

Here’s how it works: you begin on a track and complete one lap. Then, the player in first place chooses which of two tracks everyone will race on for the second lap. Some tracks are only accessible this way, making it fun to discover them and see which ones appear. For the third and final lap, you return to the original track, but it will be different. These changes range from minor additions like new speed boosts and item locations to major alterations like completely new sections of the track.

The game features a rivalry system where, after choosing your character and car, you’re paired with a randomly selected opponent. You can customize this rival and adjust how challenging they are. During races, the game often gives your rival an advantage, ensuring they frequently place near the front. The main goal isn’t necessarily to win the entire race, but to outperform your designated rival.

This system adds a playful side goal beyond simply winning. Your rival is clearly marked on the map and above their character, so you always know their location. It also features unique dialogue for each of the 23 characters, which is a nice touch for longtime Sonic fans who know them well. As you compete – throwing items or passing each other – characters will even have special lines to emphasize the fun, competitive spirit.

It’s a shame the downloadable characters don’t have the same funny banter. I was hoping to hear Hatsune Miku playfully insult characters like Big the Cat and the Minecraft Creeper, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

Beyond the main Grand Prix mode, there’s plenty more to do! You can always try Time Trials, but the Race Park offers even more fun. Here, you can earn new vehicles by competing against rival teams, effectively bringing the entire Sonic Team Racing experience into this game. Plus, you can create fully customized races, controlling everything from the items that appear to the tracks you’ll race on.

You earn tickets by playing, and you can use them to buy upgrades, especially car parts. There’s a lot of freedom to customize your car and improve its performance. Plus, you can add up to six ‘Gadgets’ – special boosts that give you extra advantages like faster speed or helpful items. Because of all these options, creating a car for online races can be quite involved.

The main thing holding this game back from becoming a true rival to *Mario Kart* is its complexity for newcomers. *Mario Kart* is instantly accessible, even for young children, but this game requires a bit more skill right from the start, which might discourage some players. It took me a full Grand Prix to really understand the track layouts. While the game looks fantastic, there’s a lot happening visually that can be overwhelming when you’re first learning the courses.

I’ve rarely enjoyed a kart racer as much as Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. It’s a genuinely fun, high-quality alternative to Mario Kart, offering a lot of variety in how you experience speed. While I’m a big fan of Mario Kart World, it’s not perfect for everyone, and those who’ve been looking for something different will definitely appreciate what CrossWorlds brings to the table.

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2025-09-25 17:17