Now’s the perfect time to pick up Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

I was actually high up on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds when it launched in 2015.

With a mix of stylish and user-friendly controls, the mid-race track-mixing CrossWorlds mechanic, and ever-expanding list of visitor characters, it rapidly became my preferred racer of the year. Undoubtedly, however, I have not returned to the video game in a while, offered how stacked the 2026 release calendar has actually been.

That all altered recently when I got to take a look at a sneak peek for Year 2 of CrossWorlds. Not just was it a blast to hop back into the racer’s seat, however I was really amazed with the huge updates that have actually concerned the video game.

Off the bat: the crossovers rock. Among my frustrations with Mario Kart World was that it moved far from the amazing “Nintendo visitor characters” method of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which included such popular faces as Zelda‘s Link and Splatoon‘s Inkling. Sonic Racing: CrossWorldshowever, leans greatly into the collabs. Given that launch, CrossWorlds has actually included the similarity Mega Man, Pac-Man, and Minecraft‘s Steve, in addition to multimedia characters like SpongeBob, Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s Aang and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A few of those Nickelodeon additions are a bit weird, undoubtedly, however naturally, they’re optional paid DLC. The computer game characters, particularly Mega Man, are rad. I’ve particularly valued Sonic Team’s method to consisting of Sega characters as totally free DLC, consisting of Personality‘s Joker, Like a Dragon’s Ichiban and Hatsune Miku.

Year 2 constructs on all of that in some cool methods. On the totally free DLC side, Bayonetta and Personality 3‘s Aigis are being included, the previous of which I specifically enjoy as a fan of her video games.

And on the paid DLC front, Evangelion‘s Rei Ayanami and Asuka Shikinami Langley are signing up with the video game along with an accompanying track. While I have no connection to the anime (I’ve constantly wished to view it), I understand it’s particularly popular. Consisted of in the Season Pass are 2 packs including karts based on Sega consoles and controllers, which was unbelievable. Barrelling along Wily’s Castle from Mega Man as Bayonetta and striking an expensive position atop the Sega Dreamcast as I carry out techniques off a ramp is simply the sort of gloriously goofy enjoyable I enjoy from these sorts of video gaming crossovers.

Truthfully, I believe my preferred addition was the Godzilla DLC pack, which consists of the ‘Godzilla Escape’ track and numerous karts, amongst other material. As an enjoyable surprise, the course is in fact a variation of Sonic Adventure 2‘s City Escape level including none aside from Godzilla himself. As you ride down familiar hills and side roadways, the kaiju is wreaking overall havoc with his atomic breath, arms, legs, and tail.

Taking the renowned Sonic Adventure 2 phase and playing a variation of Escape From the City as I desperately race around Godzilla and the carnage he’s triggering (consisting of, at one point, even going off a ramp and riding along a truck he has in his mouth) is definitely awesome.

This in fact made me return and sample a few of the other Year 1 material utilizing the Grand Prix mode. While I’ve never ever had much of an accessory to TMNT, riding through NYC and throughout huge electronic signboards is a good modification of speed, and Avatarwhich I do enjoy, thrilled me a lot more. As you race, you can pick to decrease various themed courses influenced by each of the Four Nations, each of which has its own trick. The Fire Nation is filled with increase pads that are surrounded with flames, implying you have to thoroughly go through them lest you get burned. The Air Nomads, on the other hand, make the most of CrossWorldsglider mechanic for some awesome aerial series.

Beyond the brand-new racers and tracks, the most considerable addition in Year 2 is the Duel Mode. This 1v1 mode lets you and your challenger see each other’s products while including a Duel Boost determine that fills gradually for fast bursts of speed. It definitely wasn’t my favored mode (I choose the madness of taking on versus numerous racers at a time), however it’s constantly great to have more alternatives.

It needs to be kept in mind that this is just what I’ve gotten to play up until now. Quickly the single most amazing Year 2 addition for me, which was revealed after my sneak peek, is a Last Fantasy VII Remake series crossover in Q3 2027. Far, Sega has actually teased that it will consist of one course, 2 racers and other material. Considered that FFVII is my all-time preferred video game, I’m excited to see more.

All in all, the Year 2 sneak peek reveals the sort of gleeful turmoil CrossWorldscrossovers provide, and I’m thrilled to see what else remains in shop. Honestly, it is a bit difficult to stay up to date with all of this DLC, considered that a few of it is complimentary, much of it is paid, parts are unique rewards to those who own Season Passes for Year 1 and 2, and whatever has actually been coming out at numerous times. On the whole, it’s an excellent selection of material that, like a buffet, you can sample at your leisure.

And most importantly, Sega has actually completely lowered the rate of CrossWorldsIn Canada, the base variation was formerly $93.99, today it’s $53.49, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is now $79.99, having actually formerly been $118.99. (That stated, this need to not be puzzled with another listing for “Digital Deluxe Edition” that is the exact same rate however consists of Season Pass Two, while the previously mentioned “Digital Deluxe Edition” consists of Season Pass One. It’s a bit much, truthfully.)

Once again, the material itself, if absolutely nothing else, is a blast, and you’re most likely much better off going with DLC Packs à la carte anyhow unless enough of it appeals to you to purchase the complete Season Pass. That’s definitely what I’ll do to tide myself over till that Last Fantasy VII crossover.

For now? I’ll be getting away from (Godzilla in) the city.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is now readily available on PS5, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Image credit: Sega