Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Revisit Review – Is It Worth Revisiting In 2026?

Great tracks and speed. You would think those words refer to a good racing game, but for me, they describe Sonic. The magic of Sonic titles lies in the uniqueness of their level design and how the fast-paced gameplay complements it. I was a big fan of Sonic in my childhood, with Sonic Heroes as a favorite during the PlayStation 2 era. Kart Racing and live service games, though, I’ve always had trouble connecting with. So, I was a bit hesitant to try Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, since I play racing games casually, and I’ve been disappointed by other games with a live service structure. 

However, after playing CrossWorlds, I find myself finally connecting with the Kart Racing genre, the Sonic Heroes cast, and with characters I’ve come to admire in adulthood. While this isn’t the first time the franchise has explored the Kart Racing genre, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds takes both the genre and the series to new frontiers thanks to its DLCs and live service model. CrossWorlds is, and continues to become more than just a kart game; here, you can also fly, navigate, and travel between dimensions. 

The roster in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is packed, with new ones joining each month, maintaining a good pace with the updates and character releases. The latest DLC, the Mega Man bundle, brought Mega Man and Proto Man as playable characters along with their Rush Roadstar vehicle. Most importantly, a track from the Mega Man world, Wily Castle, is included with this content. The track is located in Dr. Wily’s base of operations, and completely immerses you with its futuristic structures and obstacles inspired by the Mega Man world.

The items in these DLC tracks also change. In the Mega Man track, for example, you can get an item similar to Mega Man’s Mega Buster arm cannon. This goes for the other collaborations as well. The Pac-Man track, which was the previous DLC, had a maze section with Pac-Man himself in it. The SpongeBob track gets you driving across iconic locations of Bikini Bottom, and the Minecraft one has an Ender Dragon flying around. These tracks are also added to the online rotation, meaning that even if you don’t own the DLCs, you will still be able to play them.

Between these DLC updates, new content is also added. For example, between this Mega Man pack (Q2 2026) and the next one (Q3 2026), other free characters are added. These free characters are quality content that includes Ichiban and Majima from the Like a Dragon series, Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona 5, and more. For the DLC packs, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar Legends are confirmed to be the next ones.

Unfortunately, since most Sonic projects are always accompanied by some form of storytelling, and with all these characters present, a lack of story is noticeable. Not that it diminishes the game by not having a story; it’s a racing game after all. But the interaction between the Sonic cast is always special. Imagine how much greater it would be if we had cutscenes of these characters interacting with the guest ones, like Hatsune Miku or Ichiban! The guest characters are not voiced either, except for Miku. I can give a pass for the collab characters from other companies, but characters like Ichiban not being voiced feels like such a miss. Like, come on, Sega, it’s a character from one of your own studios! Hopefully, with future updates, voices, and some sort of stories or interactions between these characters will be added. 

Character voices rant aside, the highlight of CrossWorlds is the tracks. Sonic Team has been known for great level design, and here they bring the best thanks to the “CrossWorld” feature. With this feature, tracks completely change with Travel Rings, transporting every racer into another dimension. Even after many hours of playtime, that switch between the track and the portals hasn’t gotten old at all. Every time you take that portal, it is impossible not to feel excited. This is also thanks to the great visuals, which include beautiful reflections on the tracks, and the iconic, more cartoony art style for the characters. Each track has elements that you find in other Sonic games, like the Red Star rings. They also have verticality, allowing great gameplay freedom. Jumping to another road feels like the rails of other Sonic games, and you can take wings into the air or navigate in the water. 

Besides the Travel Rings, the tracks in CrossWorlds include air and water sections. Each machine transforms into either a jet or a boat-like vehicle. What makes this even better is that each vehicle type feels unique, and learning its style is a must. The Drift feature in this game also has a learning gap, which keeps the gameplay engaging. Besides land and water vehicles, each machine has its own type: Handling, Speed, Acceleration, Power, and Boost with hoverboards similar to those found in games like Sonic Riders. There are also many customization options in CrossWorlds, both for cosmetic and machine stats, allowing you to mix many parts for diverse gameplay options. 

How the world reacts to your actions is a required element for both Sonic and racing games. This is better achieved with items you can use for offense or defense. CrossWorlds makes things more interesting because items can react to each other. For example, you can use the “Tornado Effect” item to damage other racers around you, or as a defense mechanism against attacks. You can also launch certain items backwards to intercept incoming attacks. Vehicles and items are not the only elements that complement the tracks well; the music in every Sonic game has always been a highlight of the franchise.  

The fusion of the beats and high-speed gameplay is always present in any Sonic game. For CrossWorlds, that tradition continues with a killer soundtrack that fits every track and racer. What makes this entry an even better musical experience is the incorporation of the DLC tracks’ soundtracks into the game. While voices are missing from some of those guest characters, at least their music rides with them. 

What makes Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds stand out not only from previous racing entries in the franchise, but from Kart Racing games in general is that it incorporates Sonic’s gameplay into the Kart Racing genre, not the other way around. It is impossible not to feel like you are playing a Sonic game more than a traditional racer. Its live-service model has good momentum, and it doesn’t rely on it for progression, with many vehicles and cosmetics unlockable by playing the game modes. Having free characters is also a great player-friendly element. 

In a gaming landscape where live service is most times accompanied by heavy monetization, CrossWorlds plays it safe in the price area, while also bringing something fresh to the Sonic franchise. Whether you’re a player who tried the game months ago or a newcomer thinking about picking it up, the DLC and free content for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will make your first visit—or revisit—worth it. 

Walter reviewed Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on PC with a provided review code.