Last Updated on Sep 3, 2025 @ 10:19:18 AM.
There’s no getting away from the fact that these days, if you decide to release a kart racing game that consists of a cast of familiar faces from multiple franchises, you’re going to be called a Mario Kart rip-off. The same thing has happened to countless games in the past, and it happened to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds when it was announced. Having played it at Gamescom 2025, putting it through its proverbial paces and winning (and losing) a fair few races and time trials, I can safely say this is both accurate and also really inaccurate.
Before going any further, we need to realise one thing about kart racing games – the premise never changes. You race around a track and vie for first place using ridiculous weapons at your disposal to win. This is all present within Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, but it doesn’t mean it’s not innovative. It hits the basics, sure, but in one truly massive way, it completely changes the game for kart racing games. As the name suggests, and the trailers have shown, there is more than a single track to contend with within every race, with each one forcing players into another dimension, onto another track, at a moment’s notice.
You may be coasting along, easily winning the race without a care in the world, and then as you change onto a differrent track, crossing worlds, if you will, you’ll find yourself quickly at the back as the lack of familiarity, different vehicles (air to ground or vice versa) or pure complacency screws you, all whilst you spend too much time gawping, not only at the techical prowess of what’s happening at that moment, but at the beauty of every track you’re seeing.
This one major mechanic is prevalent throughout every facet of the game, whether you’re playing online, in a Grand Prix, a time trial, and so on. Not only does the randomness of the incoming track go some way to keep you on your toes and guessing, but it ensures you’re never really comfortable, even if you’re miles ahead. During the hands-on, I played on a base model PS5, which handled the extra juice required of the world shifting with relative ease, and despite expecting lag, stuttering, or frame rate drops, there was none of that discernibly present.
Beyond the world-shifting mechanics of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the game offers a genuinely solid arcade racing experience. Unique tracks, a multitude of characters (including my boy Ichiban Kasuga), and some very fun weapons that’ll have you realizing that for every kart racing game attempting to rip off Mario Kart, there are a few like this one that want to try a little harder.
That couldn’t be any more obvious in SEGA’s second big offering to shake up the formula, the gadget panel. With this you’re able to further customise the many different racers available. Not in looks, no, but in special skills that can completely change up the way a race will play out, and will feel like sorting your loadout akin to something in Call of Duty, not a racing game. Pick these carefully, though, be it a monster truck transformation, boasts to specific skills, and so on, as it’ll heavily impact how you place in the final race, just as much, if not more than the racer/kart you’re choosing in the first place.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming Coverage, check out how Phantom Blade 0 may be my game of 2026 already, or our review of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews.
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
