Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario have shared a good-natured rivalry for over three decades. While Mario Kart remains the household name in mascot racing games, Sonic has steadily carved out his own niche within the genre. Sega’s latest entrant, *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds*, brings the Sonic crew back together, with track variety being a key component of the experience.
### Characters and Customization
The Sonic characters available at launch include familiar favorites from the series, along with fan-favorites like Big the Cat and newcomers like Sage from *Sonic Frontiers*. Character selection is only part of the formula; *CrossWorlds* also features extensive vehicle customization.
Players start with dozens of vehicle parts and can unlock more through Donpa Tickets, a currency earned through natural gameplay. This customization allows crafting vehicles to align with different playstyles focused on speed, acceleration, power, or handling. For those who find tinkering overwhelming, the pre-built vehicles function perfectly well.
One of the more interesting elements of customization involves Gadgets, which further define a racer’s style. Loadouts allow players to add stat improvements and unique qualities, such as quicker drift boosts, starting races with specific items, increasing the ring cap, or earning bonuses for successfully hitting the starting boost. Players can equip as many Gadgets as their loadout allows, and the capacity of this equipment plate grows as more races and Grand Prix circuits are completed—offering an incentive to keep progressing.
While this system encourages experimentation and feels rewarding once you find the perfect build, it does have its drawbacks. The progression system favors the primary player in local co-op modes. While solo racers enjoy the benefits of unlocked parts and Gadgets, second players are limited to pre-built vehicles with fixed Gadget slots, which can create a competitive disadvantage.
### Hitting the Track
All customization means little if *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds* isn’t enjoyable to play—and thankfully, it is a blast. Although the bulk of gameplay involves car racing, most tracks feature air and sea sections, each with unique qualities and strategies.
Air tricks are executed by flicking the right thumbstick and provide speed boosts, while managing the drift meter remains critical. The variety in racing modes also allows for diverse scenery, showcasing the capabilities of the Unreal Engine with stunning visuals and detailed course design.
Each track is infused with personality tied to its source material, ranging from *Sonic Superstars* and *Sonic Frontiers* to *Sonic X Shadow Generations* and other classic titles. The immersive backgrounds are so captivating they can sometimes be distracting, making it easy to crash if you’re not paying full attention.
### Travel Rings: Adding Variety
One of *CrossWorlds*’ biggest innovations is the Travel Rings mechanic. At the end of the first lap, the race leader selects a different world—the titular “CrossWorlds”—to explore on the second lap. Though the choice often boils down to “World A or Random,” this feature introduces fresh variety to every race.
These second lap CrossWorlds aren’t as instantly recognizable as the main tracks but are distinct and well-designed, enhancing the game without detracting from the fun.
### Grand Prix and Rivalries
*CrossWorlds*’ traditional Grand Prix mode utilizes a rivalry system that injects personality into races with banter before each event. However, in local multiplayer, this rivalry seems reserved only for the first player. The rival AI provides an intense challenge and can sometimes feel unfairly persistent, especially in close races.
For players wary of items like the infamous Blue Shell in *Mario Kart*, *CrossWorlds* doesn’t shy away from similarly disruptive items that target players in first and second place and are difficult to avoid.
There is, however, an option to use Donpa Tickets to re-race a Grand Prix if things don’t go your way, and these tickets are relatively easy to earn, making retries a viable strategy.
### Race Park: Team-Based Fun
In contrast to the solo focus of Grand Prix mode, Race Park offers team-based competitions reminiscent of previous Sonic racing titles. Races may feature two or three teams or follow special rule sets in individual races.
Though Race Park isn’t the core experience, its inclusion adds enjoyable variety and contributes to Gadget plate progression and unlockables, making it more than just a throwaway mode.
### Gotta Drive Fast
It might seem odd to praise a racing game for sticking to fundamentals, but *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds* succeeds precisely because of its solid foundation. Course design is thoughtful, driving mechanics are sound, and the satisfaction of tuning your ideal vehicle and loadout encourages continued play.
The added variety from Travel Rings spices up each race—even if personal choice within this system is somewhat limited. While *CrossWorlds* incorporates some gimmicks, it never loses sight of the core racing experience.
### Final Thoughts
Given recent marketing and release timing, *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds* will inevitably be compared to *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*. However, this feels like an apples-and-oranges comparison. *CrossWorlds* is good enough to stand on its own merits and surpasses previous Sonic racing games in quality and breadth.
Just put the car in gear, embrace the variety, and enjoy the ride.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146000/sonic-racing-crossworlds-review-score