Why Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Could Be the Next Big Kart Racer After Mario Kart

➞ I’ve been playing kart racers for years, and like most gamers, I always came back to Mario Kart. It’s the comfort food of racing games—fun, chaotic, and packed with nostalgia.

 But recently, I found myself spending way more hours in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and honestly, it surprised me. I didn’t expect it, but I think this game might actually be the next big step for the kart racing genre.

➞ Now before anyone thinks I’m throwing shade at Mario Kart World, let me be clear: I still love it. I’ll happily sink hours into it with friends. But Sonic Racing CrossWorlds gave me something I didn’t realize I was missing. It’s fast, competitive, customizable, and above all, it feels like a racer that rewards skill more than luck.

The First Time I Booted Up Sonic Racing Cross-Worlds

➞ When I first launched the game, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Another Sonic spin-off racer with a flashy title. But the moment I got into a race, I could tell CrossWorlds was built differently.

Instead of long stretches where nothing happens, every second of a race feels alive. The CrossWorlds mechanic—where the second lap transports you into a completely new environment—blew me away. 

➞ One minute I was drifting through a track inspired by Green Hill Zone, and the next, I was suddenly racing through a neon-soaked city straight out of Persona. It was wild, and it kept me locked in.

That’s when it clicked: this isn’t just a “Sonic Kart.” This is SEGA trying to redefine what a kart racer can be.

The First Time I Booted Up Sonic Racing Cross-Worlds

➞ When I first launched the game, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Another Sonic spin-off racer with a flashy title. But the moment I got into a race, I could tell CrossWorlds was built differently.

Instead of long stretches where nothing happens, every second of a race feels alive. The CrossWorlds mechanic—where the second lap transports you into a completely new environment—blew me away. One minute I was drifting through a track inspired by Green Hill Zone, and the next, I was suddenly racing through a neon-soaked city straight out of Persona. It was wild, and it kept me locked in.

That’s when it clicked: this isn’t just a “Sonic Kart.” This is SEGA trying to redefine what a kart racer can be.

Customization That Actually Changes the Game

➞ One thing I absolutely love about Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is how much I can tinker with my ride. Instead of just picking a kart, wheels, and a glider like in Mario Kart, here I can adjust almost everything: the front and rear of the car, the wheels, the aura, and even the horn.

But it’s not just cosmetic—these tweaks genuinely affect performance. I built a kart with insane handling for tight corners and another with raw speed for long straights. 

➞ Add gadgets into the mix (like faster drift charging or reduced stun time when hit), and suddenly I’m experimenting with loadouts like I would in a competitive shooter.

That’s what kept me hooked. Every race felt like a chance to test a new build, and I could feel the difference on the track.

The Roster Is Pure Fan Service

➞ I expected Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. But what I didn’t expect was racing against SpongeBob or seeing cameos from other SEGA franchises like Persona. The crossover roster is insane, and it makes every race more entertaining.

I’ll be honest, the first time SpongeBob sped past me mid-race, I couldn’t stop laughing. But that’s the magic here—Sonic Racing CrossWorlds doesn’t just rely on Sonic nostalgia; it pulls in characters that make the game feel bigger and more connected to gaming culture.

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Tracks That Never Get Boring

➞ The level design in CrossWorlds deserves credit too. I’ve played plenty of kart racers where a few tracks just feel like filler. Here, I didn’t run into that problem.

 Every track is colorful, vibrant, and dynamic. And because of the CrossWorlds mechanic, no race ever feels repetitive.

In my first few hours, I found myself saying, “just one more race,” way more times than I’d like to admit. That’s how I know a racer has me hooked—when I’m losing track of time because I can’t stop queuing up matches.

Accessible for Newcomers, Deep for Veterans

➞ Now, some people might think all this talk of customization and competitive play makes CrossWorlds intimidating. But the truth is, it’s surprisingly accessible. The core controls are simple: drift, boost, and use items. Anyone can pick it up and have fun within minutes.

But for players like me who want depth, the gadgets, rival system, and competitive modes give me reasons to keep grinding and improving. I especially liked the rival feature during Grand Prix races—having one specific opponent to focus on made every victory feel personal.

The Modes That Kept Me Playing

➞ Outside of Grand Prix, the game offers a ton of variety. Race Park had me battling AI teams to unlock their vehicles, and the team modes added a whole new layer of strategy. Collecting rings with teammates, boosting each other, and coordinating item use felt chaotic but in the best way.

Online play takes it further with custom matches. Want to race with only heavy weapons? Go for it. Want a no-item speed fest? You can do that too. That kind of flexibility is exactly what keeps an online community engaged.

Why I Think This Game Has a Real Shot

➞ So here’s the big question: could Sonic Racing CrossWorlds really be the next big kart racer after Mario Kart?

I think yes—not because it replaces Mario Kart, but because it offers something different. Where Mario Kart leans into party-style chaos, Sonic Racing leans into competitive fun. It’s fast, it’s skill-based, and it’s customizable in ways that keep me coming back.

The fact that I can jump in for a few quick races and leave feeling satisfied is huge. It never feels like wasted time, and I always feel like I learned or improved something with each session.

Final Thoughts

➞ I never thought I’d say this, but Sonic Racing CrossWorlds might just be the kart racer I’ve been waiting for. It’s fresh, it’s fun, and it gives me the competitive edge I always wished Mario Kart had.

Will it dethrone Mario Kart entirely? Probably not. But it doesn’t need to. What it does instead is give us an alternative—a racer that respects skill, rewards consistency, and still manages to stay accessible and entertaining.

If you’re like me and you’ve been craving a kart racer that mixes classic fun with modern competitive design, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is worth your time. It’s the first racer in years that made me think, “This could actually be the start of something bigger.