Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Might Be the Closest Mario Kart Rival Yet — Fast, Customizable and Pure Boost

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a new kart-style racer from Sega’s Sonic Team, and it is available now on multiple platforms. Below you’ll find a concise, factual rundown of what the game contains, how it plays, and where you can buy it.

1. Overview
2. Gameplay and mechanics
3. Tracks and design
4. Customization and economy
5. Platforms and release
6. Comparison with Mario Kart World

Overview

Developer: Sonic Team (with assistance from members of the Initial D team).
Series context: Previous Sonic-branded racing games were developed by Sumo Digital. CrossWorlds presents a Sonic-focused roster and arcade-style presentation.

Gameplay and mechanics

Races are three laps long and emphasize continuous speed and boost management. Players gain boost by drifting, performing airborne tricks, and driving over boost pads. Collecting rings increases top speed. Tricks require a specific input: you need to momentarily remove your thumb from the accelerator and flick the right stick to trigger them.

Boosting and drifting

The game uses a drifting system that builds boost during cornering. In addition, there are mechanics called Fever rounds that temporarily enhance boosting options. Portals on some courses will warp racers to a different track section during the race, typically affecting the second lap.

Items and race flow

Like many kart racers, CrossWorlds includes pickups on track such as boost pads and rings. Race pacing tends toward faster, more continuous boosting than some other games in the genre. The sound mix emphasizes ring chimes and high-frequency effects, while music leans into high-energy, arcade-style tracks.

Tracks and design

Courses are layered and feature frequent opportunities for boost, with route changes introduced via portals. Some track elements include verticality and eventful, compact sections rather than long, open straights. The physics model is described in-game as lighter and more responsive to speed increases, which affects handling at high velocity.

Customization and economy

CrossWorlds includes character and vehicle stats, plus modular vehicle components. Players unlock parts, perks, and perk slots over time. These elements change performance and allow for tailored builds: players can mix and match components to favor speed, handling, durability, or specific playstyles. The game therefore supports persistent progression tied to unlocked equipment.

Platforms and release

Available now on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Planned: A Nintendo Switch 2 version has been announced.

Comparison with Mario Kart World

There are concrete mechanical differences between CrossWorlds and Nintendo’s Mario Kart World. For example, Mario Kart World includes rail-grinding and wall-riding techniques that interact with course geometry. CrossWorlds focuses on higher sustained boost, ring-based top-speed mechanics, and a build-oriented progression system. In addition, Mario Kart World features point-to-point race types and longer straight sections on some courses, while CrossWorlds emphasizes denser, multi-route tracks and aggressive boosting.

Both games share the core kart-racing template—laps, pickups, and competitive item use—but they implement movement, track interaction, and progression in distinct ways. Players interested in fast, boost-heavy arcade racing may prefer CrossWorlds’ approach, while those who favor complex course geometry and tactile surface interaction may find Mario Kart World’s systems more to their liking.