DaRmaZat Even with physical editions of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds now available for every supported platform, the expansion of this kart racer featuring our favorite SEGA hero, his friends, and less-friendly rivals behind the wheel, shows no signs of slowing down yet.
Available via the Season Pass included with the Digital Deluxe Edition, the amount of released DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds keeps expanding. Besides unlocking characters through on-track performance, the roster of available crossover racers—think PAC-MAN, Mega Man, Patrick Star, and SpongeBob, alongside many others—continues to grow through post-launch free updates and DLC. Perhaps the opportunity to finally snag that cool Werehog will return soon for those who missed out on that? Anyway, time to strap in for the fast-paced, chaotic ride that is this kart racer!
A Rubber-Banding Rival as Your Common Enemy
Beyond the online modes, which I will cover further down, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on the Switch 2 allows for local solo races against bots or up to four players in co-op. Practicing is best handled in Time Trial mode, where the challenge lies in improving your own time on chosen tracks. Naturally, three classes are available by default—Normal, High, and Sonic Speed—with Super Sonic Speed and Mirror Mode waiting to be unlocked by earning victories.
In the flagship Grand Prix mode, the competitive approach isn’t just limited to “crossing the finish line first after X amount of laps”. Every race introduces a major antagonist, a so-called Rival that you can select yourself along with their difficulty level. These Rivals with their rubber-banding abilities are much faster and specifically target you and your friends, while defeating them provides extra rewards. When I played Grand Prix in co-op, my co-op partner and I quickly realized that working together to pressure that Rival is essential, or it will make life miserable for every human participant. Honestly, having a common enemy in Grand Prix is easily one of the game’s most enjoyable features, because it reduces the frustration of sabotaging one another during the races.
Gyro-Tricking the Multi-Layered Terrains
Next, Race Park offers a mode where you drive alone or in teams—boosting each other by tapping until the Team Gauge is full—against AI Rival Teams with adjustable strength. Winning three times rewards you with their karts, appropriately called “Machines” here, because just like in its predecessor Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, racing isn’t limited to static land-based laps here.
Every course features totally different multi-layered terrains filled with hidden side routes and secrets. Land sections are interspersed with segments on water and in the air, requiring a completely different approach. This includes managing a bump meter, collecting vertical boosts via aerial Dash circles, and performing Air & Water Tricks. On Switch 2, the Gyro controls feel like the ideal way to handle these maneuvers, moving beyond basic drifting alone.
Beware the Sword Of Damocles
The unpredictability of each round is further enhanced by randomized power-ups, known as Gadgets. You can unlock various slots and choose which Gadgets to bring to the start of each race, adding a layer of strategy. Meanwhile, dynamic events like obstacles and enemies provide everyone with a fair chance to claw their way back into the race. While the concept is far from new, it never loses its charm. Racing itself feels tight, and the constantly chaotic race progression keeps a metaphorical sword of Damocles hanging over your head. This pressure forces you to time every jump and corner perfectly, making the most of every item to ensure you don’t lose your position.
Furthermore, the level of customization for your Machines is of an unseen breadth and depth. Swapping bumpers with spikes, spoilers, suspension, or tires with sporty rims has a visible impact on stats like Speed, Power, Boost, Handling, and Acceleration. Since almost everything—except cosmetic paint colors—carries a price, you’ll need to perform well to earn the in-game tickets required for upgrades. Interestingly, these tickets can also be used for a retry if a round goes disastrously, meaning a loss doesn’t necessarily end your entire tournament.
Assisted Racing at a Tremendous Pace
For the little ones or those struggling with the initial learning curve, the game also provides several handy assist options. Steering Assist is enabled by default to prevent wall collisions, alongside Auto-Accelerate and Trick Assist. Unfortunately, I did miss an automatic drift mode similar to the older Mario Kart games. Occasionally, I also encountered a few buggy moments where my racer glitched through obstacles, though the game’s overall forgiveness for all ages likely plays a role in these minor hiccups.
For racers with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, the experience broadens further with Crossplay, World Match rankings, and time-limited events like the round-based Legend competition with level-based entry conditions. And while this Switch 2 edition lacks 4K resolution compared to the PlayStation 5 non-Pro version, the performance and fidelity hold their own. It is a massive step up from the original Switch version’s 30 FPS, delivering a crisp 1440p at 60 FPS in docked mode and 1080p at 60 FPS in handheld.
Final Thoughts
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a stellar port of this well-received kart racer in the Sonic universe, appealing to both young and old, whether playing solo or in a team. Performance and fidelity are excellent across both handheld and docked modes, making the racing feel snappy, while feeling highly accessible and above all, fair. Between the local and online modes, there is already an enormous amount to experience, and the package only grows as you book successes and unlock more features. To conclude, it’s a deep, chaotic, and ultimately rewarding rollercoaster that definitely offers endless moments of fun.
Additional Information
Release Date: Mar 26, 2026 (Physical Edition; Release Date for Digital Edition: Dec 4, 2025)
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch 2. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: SEGA
Relevant links: Digital and physical editions available via the Nintendo eShop (NL-BE, NL-NL, US) and retailers.
