Sonic Racing CrossWorlds: A Kart Racing Spectacle Celebrating Sega’s Legacy

Oh man, here we go. Let me just spill my thoughts about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and I swear, it’s like putting on comfy slippers and just, you know, vibing out. There’s something about these Sonic games that makes me drop my guard, just roll with the punches. I wasn’t expecting much, but after an hour at Summer Game Fest, I was hooked. It’s a kart racer, sure, but it nails the fun bits, you know? Fast-paced races, those cheeky little powerups, and just an overall blast of a vibe with all the beloved characters. Honestly, isn’t that what we’re all looking for? But wait, there’s more. Yep, surprises in store!

So here’s the thing about the CrossWorld mechanic, it kinda shakes things up every race. First lap? Regular track. But then, whoever’s leading gets to yank everyone into an entirely different world for lap two. Crazy, right? One moment you’re on a frozen wasteland with auroras — which I swear look like ice cream swirl but prettier — and next you’re dodging shipwrecks in some stormy sea. Final lap brings you back to reality. It’s a nifty twist that, okay, might lose its shine eventually, but keeps you on your toes. Keeps things spicy.

And these worlds, man, they’ve got you flying, hovering, surfing — yeah, really — so your vehicles aren’t just karts anymore. Personally, I love the flying bits. Gives the whole thing a vertical lift I wasn’t expecting from a kart game. But it’s a visual overload, like they decided to throw everything at you all at once. Sometimes my eyes needed a breather. It’s a lot, but maybe that’s part of the fun? Not sure if it’s a hardcore racer or more of a spectacle. Guess it’s both, somehow?

Anyway, competitive edge? Oh, it’s there, trust me. You can tweak your ride’s stats, fiddle with the body, tires, boosters — whatever floats your boat, really. And then add perks, like upgrading your kart to a beast. I remember using some big fancy rocket thingy and boom, lap three, I somehow managed to fly past another racer after getting pummeled. Feel free to channel your inner mad scientist and make the kart your masterpiece.

Only got into the Grand Prix mode so far. It’s a series of four races, pretty straightforward. Points decide the champ in the end. Oh, and some random rival will pop up mid-series just to give you a hard time. They’ll be all annoyingly competitive — like, dude, chill! The last race has higher stakes, so opportunities to turn things around if you were slacking.

As for the whole crossover character thing, it’s like a nerd’s dream team, right? Not just Sonic, but Sega’s throwing in characters like Ichiban from Yakuza, Joker from Persona 5, and Miku (Queen!) from Vocaloid. Seeing them in Sonic worlds is like, seriously? Someone pinch me.

So, bottom line, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds doesn’t need to break barriers in the kart genre. It’s here to be fun, carefree, and just celebrate Sonic and Sega’s journey. I’m totally ready to hit those tracks when it launches on September 25. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, PC — wherever you game, get ready to buckle up!