Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a racing game where Sonic, his friends and his rivals race in vehicles called Machines. Before each race, you pick a racer and a Machine, then set up the Machine's parts and a Gadget Plate, which adds extra effects while you drive. Every Machine falls under one of five types (Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Power or Boost), and each type has its own strengths and drawbacks, so your setup changes how the Machine handles on the track.
Once you're set, pick a mode such as Grand Prix, where the highest total score across four rounds wins, Race Park for team matches and special rule sets, or Time Trial, where you race one course for the fastest time. A standard race has three laps, and the first lap runs on the main course. On the second lap, the racer in first place picks one of two Travel Rings, which sends the whole race to a CrossWorld, a different course with its own rules and challenges. The third lap brings you back to the original course, now changed, which is why no two races play out the same.
During a race, you stay ahead by drifting through corners to build boost, collecting Rings to keep your speed up, and grabbing the items you find on the track. Racing well and hitting milestones unlocks more Machines, parts and Gadgets, which you can bring into your next setup. The longer goal is to win every Grand Prix, including the 7th and the Secret Grand Prix, while building a Machine and Gadget Plate that suit how you like to race. You can play Grand Prix and Race Park with up to four players locally, or race online with friends and players worldwide in lobbies of up to 12.
- Developer
- Sonic Team
- Publisher
- SEGA
- Release
- Nintendo Switch 2 (digital): 2025-12-04 · Nintendo Switch 2 (physical): 2026-03-26 · PC (Steam / Epic Games Store): 2025-09-25 · PlayStation 5 / PlayStation 4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch: 2025-09-25
- Platforms
- PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Game data
Racers
Racers are the characters players drive in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and each one belongs to one of five types, such as Speed or Power, with five stats that shape how they race. Racers can be paired with any Machine, and that pairing sets the overall stats. Most racers are available from the start, while Super Sonic is unlocked by defeating the starting racers as Rivals in Grand Prix mode.
Machines
Machines are the cars and Extreme Gear boards players race with in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Each one belongs to one of five types, Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Power, or Boost, and that type shapes its strengths and weak spots on the track. Some are available from the start, while others are bought with Donpa Tickets or unlocked by beating AI racer teams in Race Park. Cars change form for flight and water sections, and every Machine can be customized with parts, paint, decals, and more.
Courses
Courses and CrossWorlds are the places you race in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Main courses are the core tracks, grouped into Grand Prix cups, while CrossWorlds are other worlds you reach mid-race through Travel Rings. In a standard race, the first-place racer picks which CrossWorld the second lap takes place on, and many of them are based on earlier Sonic games.
CrossWorlds Controls
| Action | Desktop | Console |
|---|---|---|
| Steer / Air Trick | W, A, S, D | Left stick |
| Accelerate | Space | Cross (PlayStation), A (Xbox), B (Switch) |
| Drift (Air Drift in flight, Charge Jump on water) | E or Shift | R1 or R2 (PlayStation), RB or RT (Xbox), R or ZR (Switch) |
| Use Item | Q | L1 or L2 (PlayStation), LB or LT (Xbox), L or ZL (Switch) |
| Brake / Reverse | C | Circle (PlayStation), B (Xbox), A (Switch) |
| Gadget Ability | T | Triangle (PlayStation), Y (Xbox), X (Switch) |
| Rear View | F | Square (PlayStation), X (Xbox), Y (Switch) |
| Horn | H | L3 (PlayStation), Left stick button (Xbox), Left stick button (Switch) |
| Pause | Tab | Options (PlayStation), Menu (Xbox), + (Switch) |
CrossWorlds gameplay tips
- Time your Starting Boost. Before the race begins, use the accelerate button to charge the Starting Gauge, and time it so it lands in the green area. A successful start gives you a burst of speed right away, so it's worth practicing until you can land it reliably.
- Charge your drifts and keep the chain going. Charge while drifting, then release for a Drift Boost, since a fuller charge gives a bigger boost. Right after one drift ends, start one in the other direction to keep the chain going, which lets you stay in a drift through a run of turns.
- Pick up Rings whenever you can. Every Ring you collect raises your top speed and gives you a burst of speed when you grab it, and 100 Rings puts you at max speed. If you drop to zero Rings, one hit spins you out, so keeping a stock of Rings protects your race as well as your speed.
- Build for your slots. You begin with two Gadget slots, and stronger Gadgets can take up more than one, so every choice costs you room. The Stockpiler build fits in two slots: Starting Boost Bounty gives you Rings for a successful Starting Boost, and 130 Ring Limit lets you hold up to 130 Rings, so a clean start keeps paying off.
- Collect all five Red Star Rings in Grand Prix. They appear only in Grand Prix, and collecting all five earns a large batch of Donpa Tickets. You can spend those tickets on Machine parts and other customization, so it's worth grabbing every one as you race.
- Use the line guide and your personal ghost in Time Trial. The line guide shows a route to follow on each course, which helps you race more effectively. Your personal ghost is created the first time you finish a course, and beating it replaces it with your new time, so every run gives you a fresh target.