Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a kart racing game developed by Sonic Team and released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Players race as characters from the Sonic universe across tracks that shift midway through each race via Travel Rings, which transport racers into one of 15 separate CrossWorlds for the second lap before returning to the original course for the finish.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on high-speed kart racing with drifting, boosting, and item use to overtake opponents. After the first lap on any of the 24 main tracks, the leader selects between two Travel Ring portals. One option shows a preview of the destination CrossWorld, while the other leads to a random selection from the pool of 15 alternate locations. This mechanic alters the layout and challenges for the middle portion of every race, forcing quick adaptation to new terrain and obstacles.
Before each race, players assemble a vehicle from 45 base options and equip combinations from 70 gadgets. These gadgets modify stats such as acceleration, top speed, handling, and item performance, allowing different builds to suit aggressive or defensive styles. Power-up items appear on the track and include both returning classics and new options that can be deployed to disrupt rivals or gain temporary advantages.
Four speed settings adjust both pace and difficulty, with higher classes demanding precise control. Local split-screen supports up to four players on the same console, while online sessions accommodate up to 12 participants in cross-platform lobbies.
Game Modes
Grand Prix serves as the primary single-player campaign. It consists of multiple cups, each containing three standard races followed by a finale that stitches together segments from the preceding tracks. Completing cups unlocks additional content and higher speed classes.
Race Park functions as a flexible party mode with varied rulesets and team objectives that encourage cooperation or friendly competition among local or online groups. Time Trials let players chase personal bests on any track without opponents or items.
World Match provides ranked online play where participants earn points to climb global leaderboards. Friend Match allows custom lobbies with adjustable rules for private groups of up to 12 players. Both online modes support the full roster and all available tracks at the time of play.
Tracks and Roster
The 24 main tracks draw from locations across the Sonic series, while the 15 CrossWorlds introduce fresh environments that appear only through the Travel Ring system. The character roster launches with 24 options, the largest in any Sonic racing title, featuring mainstays alongside deeper cuts from various eras of the franchise. One additional character unlocks through in-game progression.
Season Pass content expands the experience with new characters, vehicles, tracks, and themed items released over time, including packs tied to Sonic Prime and other franchises. These additions integrate directly into existing modes without altering the base mechanics.
Is It Worth Playing?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds delivers strong replay value through its combination of track variety, extensive vehicle and gadget customization, and the unpredictable CrossWorlds mechanic that keeps races fresh. Local and online multiplayer options cater to both casual groups and competitive players seeking ranked progression.
Reviews highlight the depth of customization and the quality of the racing feel as standout elements that set it apart from simpler kart racers. The game maintains active post-launch support with new content packs, ensuring the roster and track selection continue to grow. On Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, it runs smoothly with the same feature set as other platforms.
Players who enjoy arcade-style kart racing with meaningful buildcrafting and a twist on traditional track design will find substantial hours of engagement here. Those seeking straightforward pick-up-and-play sessions or deep single-player narratives may prefer alternatives, but the core package rewards time invested in mastering different vehicle setups and adapting to portal shifts.
