Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious racing games in SEGA’s history, combining decades of racing expertise into a modern experience. It represents the culmination of SEGA’s racing lineage, which started from the arcade cabinets of the past, each year bringing new ideas to the fast lane.

Learning From the Past

Many may remember OutRun as the title that introduced them to the joys of pure and simple racing, filled with scenic landscapes and even branching routes that allowed players to set their own journey to find one of five different endings set on the backdrop of an iconic soundtrack that became beloved by the arcade crowd.

Arguably, Daytona USA popularized SEGA’s status in the genre with technical advancements, improved racing mechanics, and 3D tracks. However, a year later, Sega Rally Championship raced onto the scene, bringing the thrill of rally racing to arcade cabinets worldwide. It eventually became one of Sega’s greatest arcade racing titles, thanks to its diverse course variety and game modes, all while delivering rally authenticity to players.

Fast-forward to 2021 with Initial D The Arcade, where drivers are brought back to the twisty mountain roads that were made famous by the legendary manga and anime. The scenes and views looked spectacular, as Unreal Engine 4 brought much-needed realism and drama to the races, bringing years of racing DNA from past titles into the modern era.

Today, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds gears up to showcase a blend of arcade thrills and simulation dynamics that invites both newcomers and longtime fans to jump into the action. From Sega Rally Championship to OutRun and even the Initial D The Arcade, the result is a product worth decades of learning, fueled by a development team that spans many divisions within SEGA.

Creative Director Masaru Kohayakawa is joined by Producer Ryuichi Taki, both of whom have individually honed their skills through work on various titles, and have all contributed to bringing the best out of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. 

From Outrun’s atmosphere and branching paths to SEGA Rally Championship’s authenticity, realistic controls, and thrill, to even Initial D’s trademark physics-based drifting and driving, SEGA has assembled a dream team capable of integrating past successes into a coherent and ambitious title that carries forward SEGA’s past innovations into the future of racing.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the Future of SEGA Racing

Gameplay is where Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds shines, blending Sega Rally’s technical authenticity and Initial D’s rewarding precision with accessible systems and deep customization. Each part you equip affects Speed, Acceleration, Power, Handling, and Boost, letting you shape your racer into a speed demon or a drift master, depending on your style.
Though this may be intimidating to newcomers, SEGA has built in optional assists in the game to use, whether you’re just getting started or have had a few races under your belt. Auto-Accelerate and Steering Assist guide new drivers along optimal racing lines, while Trick Assist keeps players engaged in racing, automatically performing tricks to gain landing boosts.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds innovates with its dimension-shifting CrossWorld mechanic, where racers pace themselves through Travel Rings and the environment seamlessly morphs into new realms—from beach-themed tracks to neon-soaked cityscapes or floating platforms. Just as OutRun let players choose their own path that led to new scenery, and how Initial D captured the unpredictability of mountain passes, CrossWorlds brings the same concepts of choice and unpredictability through these dynamic transitions. Fans of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed’s land-to-sea-to-sky transitions will be thrilled with this inclusion.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds unveils seven thematic Grand Prix cups, each comprising tracks that showcase diverse regions, environmental hazards, and unique gimmicks. From the Water Palace of Donpa Grand Prix to the Chao Park in the Crystal Grand Prix, players will explore a brief history of Sonic’s legacy in racing form. There’s even a secret grand prix and incoming crossover tracks to bring in more variety soon after launch. In many ways, the game’s inventive course design channels Sega Rally’s terrain diversity and OutRun’s visual charm and scenic landscapes, making CrossWorlds a celebration of Sega’s enduring creativity in racing and course design.

Race Park serves as a mini-game hub, where unique race formats abound, extending replay value far beyond standard circuits. Veteran competitors can test themselves in Time Trial, while local split-screen supports four-player co-op.

And what’s a racing game without an expansive roster? Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds also boasts a lineup that blends Sonic’s most iconic heroes and villains with a selection of fan-favorite guest racers. At launch, players can expect the likes of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Rouge, Cream & Cheese, Omega, Blaze, Big, Silver, and more, bringing a diverse feel and signature gadgets. In fact, there’s even a free demo that’s available for everyone to try out to get a feel for the game.

A Season Pass also expands the cast by adding licensed guest racers such as Joker from Persona 5 Royal and even virtual pop star Hatsune Miku. 

To top it all off, customization and progression in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are the biggest the series has ever been. Players are presented with a sprawling workshop where various parts can be swapped to fine-tune performance attributes, allowing bespoke configurations. Visual flair comes courtesy of licensed decals, dynamic glow effects, and themed body kits that celebrate SEGA’s racing heritage. 

Under the hood, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is built on Unreal Engine, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals. Dynamic lighting and particle effects are present in the dramatic transitions between CrossWorld realms, while visual effects abound when items like the Rocket Punch or the Bomb are utilized. Audio veterans lend their talents to a sweeping soundtrack that fuses orchestral strings with techno beats, punctuated by guest tracks from celebrated electronic artists. 

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds distills SEGA’s racing heritage into a modern package, highlighted by the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog. It channels the pure joy of OutRun, the rugged realism of Sega Rally, and the technical mastery of Initial D, while integrating arcade thrills and refined mechanics from past Sonic Racing titles. The result is a racer that bridges generations, appealing to both simulation purists and casual fans alike.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be released on September 25, 2025, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC.

A free demo is now available to download on all platforms.