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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds introduces mid-race world swapping

It’s like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, but in racing game form.

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds introduces mid-race world swapping

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When the upcoming Sonic Racing game, CrossWorlds, was introduced at The Game Awards in December, the teaser left a lot to the imagination.

Traxion contributor Justin Towell hypothesised that it could feature the ability to swap environments, and even worlds, mid-race.

He was right. Go, Justin.

Today, 12th February 2025 as part of Sony’s State of Play, the first in-game images, footage and details have been unveiled. The leader of a race can decide which world, and track, to switch to at the end of each lap by driving through a portal.

Flying, driving and controlling your vehicle over water all return from 2012’ Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Mixed with the world-hopping, gameplay should be diverse.

Alongside, seemingly,  a Mario Kart-style power-up collection, CrossWorlds will implement an ‘RPG-style’ gadget system – requiring the unlocking of gadget slots and combining elements to deliver set perks that enhance through progression.

Harking back to a time before the kart-style Sonic racing games, Extreme Gear return from 2006’s Sonic Riders too – think of these as powered, hovering, skateboards.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds Extreme Gear
‘Extreme Gear’ are floating skateboard-style ‘vehicle’ types.

Unlike its predecessors, characters are not tied to specific rides. Parts can be upgraded for enhanced performance, or simply for customised visual flair.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Closed Network Test

A release date for the game has not yet been announced, simply a ‘soon’ teaser. When it does launch, it will be on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. We’d wager a Switch 2 version is in the works, but no confirmation yet.

A Closed Network Test (think a beta-style private test, focused purely on online multiplayer performance) has been scheduled for the PS5 platform starting 21st February.

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Gameplay