Racing games abound on many platforms and franchises. Mario Kart represents Nintendo just as Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds signifies SEGA, and if you’re a fan of Sonic, you will enjoy the latest installment in the racing series. I had the opportunity to play the game for an hour during Summer Game Fest, and I can confidently assert that if you’re in search of a fresh competitive game to enjoy with friends or at gatherings, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will meet your needs.

The Sonic universe has been around for decades, so there is an immense amount of content to explore in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. The game features 23 initial racers, 45 unique vehicles, 70 items to enhance or modify them, 24 tracks, and 15 crossworlds—more details on that later. Naturally, I started out playing as Sonic, but I also took a turn with Cream and Cheese, as they are undeniably adorable.

I must confess, I am not a hardcore Sonic enthusiast, so many of the characters are unfamiliar to me, but with 23 available from the outset, and more to be added via season passes and updates, I am positive there will be characters to suit everyone’s taste. They have even introduced Minecraft characters like Steve, Alex, and Creeper, along with characters from Like a Dragon, Persona, and more.

“If you’re in the market for a new competitive game to play with friends or at gatherings, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will meet your needs.”

Upon entering the game, I was first able to modify my vehicle, known in-game as a machine. Machines are categorized into various types: speed, acceleration, handling, power, and boost. After selecting a starting machine, I could begin personalizing it. This included more than just choosing a design or color. Aesthetically, I could apply stickers, position them wherever I wished, and even modify their size.

More importantly, there are gadgets available that occupy 1-3 slots. You have a total of three slots, yet the stronger a gadget is, the more slots it consumes. These can influence factors such as the number of items you can hold, your speed dynamics, the type of items you receive, ring properties, adjustments to your drifting, and much more. You can genuinely tailor your machine to fit your playstyle, whether that’s stacking item advantages or boosting areas in which you typically struggle—it’s me, and it’s drifting.

Once my machine was fully customized, I jumped into my first Grand Prix. There were several to select from, but I had to choose the one that featured Rainbow Garden—definitely not Rainbow Road, which was paired with two additional tracks. The Grand Prix includes three races and primarily adheres to traditional arcade racing principles.

I competed against various NPCs, and I’ll be honest—there was a slight learning curve, and I wasn’t very good at the start. Nevertheless, by the third race, I began to master drifting—it’s surprisingly crucial in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Once I got into the rhythm, my placements improved, which motivated me to continue playing.

Items in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are quite similar to those found in other racing titles, including those within the Sonic franchise. There are shields for protection, Wisps that grant various abilities like boosts, and Rocket Punches. This time, there are also features like Monster Truck, enabling you to crash through your opponents. However, learning their names and mastering how to use them effectively would undeniably require more than the hour I had.

“Anyone who appreciates arcade-style racing or fantastic party games will enjoy what Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds offers.”

What I find particularly intriguing about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is its “crossworlds” feature. Essentially, during the race, the player in first place activates a Travel Ring. When this occurs, the entire race shifts to a different location, including the machines. This implies you could be transported to entirely different terrains, and even use distinct vehicles suited to them.

For example, transitioning from a car on a regular track to an aircraft for an aerial segment. It certainly keeps you alert. I wasn’t as adept with flying mechanics as I am with others, so being tossed into that situation could make or break a race for me. Shifting from ground vehicles to hovercrafts to flying really alters the gameplay of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds!

Experiencing the game at Summer Game Fest 2025 was exhilarating, but I can tell there is a wealth of content in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds beyond what I was able to comprehend during my brief session. Not only the devoted fans of SEGA and Sonic—and Minecraft—but anyone who enjoys arcade-style racing or exceptional party games will find plenty to appreciate in what Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds brings to the horizon.