Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a real triumph when it comes to kart racing and more than holds its own against the hedgehog’s main rival from Nintendo. The CrossWorlds mechanic introduces a strategic play that keeps things fresh, and the dozens of tracks do a sterling job in really providing a challenge, which also looks and sounds great. While there is maybe a bit too much grinding in order to unlock the many rewards on offer for dedicated players, even those who only want to casually commit to Sonic Racing will still get plenty of fun playing in both single-player and online, especially with a whole roadmap of additional tracks and racers being rolled out in the months ahead. Mario Kart World is an excellent game, but so too is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is one of the best kart racers on the market, and I’m sure I’ll be coming back to it often. It may not be a new Sonic Riders sequel, but it’s the next best thing. For those who are looking for a quality game to share with family and friends, I can’t recommend CrossWorlds enough.

At "Sonic Racing Crossworld," an amusement park packed with thrilling attractions, everyone from rookie drivers to seasoned pros is guaranteed to have an amazing time. You get to choose who you race with, where you drive, and the overall vibe of your experience. Get ready to discover a passion for racing you never knew you had.

Sonic Team has managed to bring Sonic Racing back to the big leagues, making it a strong competitor to Mario Kart. It pours so much energy into you that it takes your breath away, and all the initial cups fly by in one go. The only thing truly missing in CrossWorlds is missions — specifically, the kind from the very first entries in the series, as they would perfectly suit the game’s arcade style. However, the core of replayability in such arcade games is the championships, and those in CrossWorlds are made far more engaging.

The blue hedgehog returns in full force with a hefty stack of aces up its sleeve. A generous selection of tracks, seamless world-to-world transitions mid-race, an energetic soundtrack, and a roster of familiar faces make for a highly enjoyable casual racing experience, while a solid pool of mechanics ensures that the competitive online component more than holds its own. With entertaining on-track boosts and weapons, plus the option to tailor driving style to personal preference, the result ranks among the best arcade racers available today, regardless of prior affinity for Sonic as a franchise.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds is the 2nd kart racing game to come out this year, it's probably not a direct competitor for Mario Kart Worlds but it has some qualities that Worlds definitely miss.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a solid kart racer that I feel I enjoyed as much as recent Sonic & All-Stars Racing games. There’s a great selection of characters and tons of vehicle customization options, which are great. The nature of the Rivals and Travel Rings systems also makes it feel different than similar titles such as Mario Kart World. I do worry the Gadget Plate unlocking element might make it a little unfair when playing co-op locally, and some of the water and air racing might not feel as fantastic as the standard racing. It’s still quite impressive and leaves a great impression.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the best arcade racer on the market, especially for PC players. However, the steep price feels too high, even with everything the game offers, and the choice to include characters from outside the franchise while beloved Sonic characters are still missing leaves this reviewer disappointed and a bit perplexed.