Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Review

My wife and I jumped into some proper “Sonic-madness”, and I didn't regret a single moment!

Racing games always have a special charm when you share them with someone you love. It’s not just about hitting the virtual pedal to the metal, but also about laughter, ironic comments, small rivalries, and the joy of sharing the same sofa or screen. That’s what happened to us when we discovered Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on PlayStation 5. It started as a simple curiosity and ended up becoming one of the most amusing and unpredictable games we’ve tried together.

Without any prior experience, except perhaps a faint one with Mario Kart 8 about 100 years ago, my wife, Andreea, and I took the plunge and sat on the sofa, ready to see who would dominate the game. Yes, we’re slightly competitive, and when I say slightly, I mean that for us, rivalry in games is a must for having a really good time!

What CrossWorlds actually is and why it’s different

Released on 25 September 2025 by SEGA and Sonic Team, the game follows the classic arcade racing tradition, but comes with a twist that completely changes the rules: the Travel Rings mechanic. In the middle of a race, portals open that can throw you into a parallel world, called a CrossWorld, where everything is different: the track, the obstacles, the colours, the unwritten rules. Every choice matters, and sometimes that portal is your salvation, other times the perfect trap. It’s exactly the kind of mechanic that brings freshness and forces players to adapt on the fly.

The atmosphere is also supported by the soundtrack by Takahiro Kai, with the main theme performed by James Bourne. If I close my eyes, the chorus still echoes, perfectly matching the speed and colourful madness on screen. Everything is powered by Unreal Engine 5, which means detailed graphics, spectacular lighting, and visual effects that turn every race into a spectacle.

Our two-player experience on PS5

We started the game with enthusiasm and a small bet between us… Whoever wins more races gets dinner cooked by the other. I chose the classic Sonic, convinced that speed is all that matters, while Andreea went for a less obvious but surprisingly effective character, Cream & Cheese (WTF kinda name is that?). The first few laps were more of a struggle with drifts and getting used to it, because the game doesn't forgive you if you enter a tight corner unprepared. But after a few races, we were already starting to intuit the tracks, take advantage of boosts, and choose the right gadgets.

Then the Travel Rings came into play. In one race, I was in the lead, I entered a portal without thinking and found myself in a parallel world full of moving obstacles. Before I could get my bearings, my wife had overtaken me with a satisfied smile. Another time I was lucky, I chose the correct portal and returned to the original track directly onto a shortcut that brought me victory. All this unpredictability generated moments of laughter and jokes, but also opportunities for us to constantly tease each other.

A memorable episode was when I used a freezing gadget right next to my wife. Her car froze for a few seconds and I felt like an evil genius. Revenge came quickly, when in another race I entered a chaotic portal and lost all my lead, and she triumphantly overtook me with the remark: “You chose the wrong portal!”. Such moments make the game more than just a simple race. It is, in essence, a playground for complicity and amusing rivalries.

Strengths and minor shortcomings

What impressed me most about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the variety. There are over twenty characters, dozens of vehicles, and a multitude of gadgets that change the way you approach each race. It's not just a game about pressing the accelerator, but one where you have to experiment, test combinations, and discover what suits you. The music, graphics, and general energy create a spectacular atmosphere, and the online and local multiplayer allows you to challenge your friends without barriers. On PS5, everything runs flawlessly and feels very fluid.

Obviously, there are also a few points that can be annoying. For players who prefer “cleaner” competitions, the chaos created by the random changes in CrossWorlds can seem tiring. Also, if you play alone, progress can sometimes feel too slow. And yes, there are moments when an item or gadget completely changes the outcome of the race in a way that feels unfair. However, all these things fade when you play with two players and fun becomes the priority.

How it compares to rivals

We can't help but compare it to Mario Kart World, especially since SEGA has already done so quite vocally. The major difference is that Mario Kart went for the open-world exploration concept between races, while CrossWorlds keeps the focus on fast-paced competitions, with teleportations and constant surprises. While some critics accused Mario Kart of losing its rhythm in transition zones, CrossWorlds keeps the adrenaline high from start to finish. Reviews reflect this balance: the game was received with enthusiasm, by both fans and critics, with a good score on Metacritic and a wave of appreciation on Steam even in the early access phase.

Compared to previous Sonic games, CrossWorlds seems to have gathered what worked best. The transforming vehicles are reminiscent of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Extreme Gear hoverboards are a homage to Sonic Riders, and the individual mechanics move away from the forced cooperation in Team Sonic Racing. In essence, it's a “best of” spiced up with the original idea of parallel worlds.

Why it’s worth playing with someone

What makes CrossWorlds special is not just its innovative mechanics, but also the way it creates social situations. When you play with someone you love, every victory is sweeter, every defeat more bearable, and every accident a reason to laugh. The rivalry remains healthy, and the entry barrier is low; even someone who isn't very good at games can quickly get into the rhythm and have fun. In addition, the variability of tracks and gadgets means no two races are alike, which guarantees many evenings where you'll say “just one more and then we're done” and end up finding yourself still playing two hours later.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn't perfect and doesn't try to be a realistic simulator. It's a game of pure fun, built on the idea that speed and controlled chaos can bring people together. For us, it was an experience full of memorable moments, teasing, and laughter. And that's perhaps its greatest achievement: the fact that it transforms a simple racing game into a shared memory. If you have a gaming partner, a friend, or even an entire gang, CrossWorlds is worth trying. Get ready to lose, to win, to laugh, and perhaps to choose the wrong portal, but to enjoy every second.

Thanks to CD Media S.E. for the review code and the opportunity to play Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

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Played on: PS5
Release date: 25 September 2025
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Racing