Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to deliver an exciting racing experience with a focus on fair competition among players. In the development process, some items were deemed too powerful for inclusion in the game, as the Sonic Team prioritized balance over chaos. While players will still find a variety of items to use, the development team is carefully curating them to ensure that gameplay remains fair.
The game first caught public attention at the Game Awards 2024, where it was revealed through a captivating teaser featuring Shadow in a race car. Despite the lack of comprehensive details in the teaser, the announcement generated significant excitement among the audience. Recently, at the Summer Game Fest, the developers unveiled six surprise guest characters and announced the official release date: September 25, 2025.
Producer Takashi Iizuka shared insights about the collaborative efforts of the Sonic Racing and Sega Arcade Racing teams. Their goal is to create a balanced racing game, and they started by developing the courses and vehicles before introducing any items. Once satisfied with the core racing aspects, they implemented initial items while subjecting the game to rigorous playtesting.
Iizuka noted that many items were eliminated if they gave an unearned advantage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive environment. Iizuka has also made comparisons between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and other racing games. He pointed out the game’s multi-platform capabilities and cross-play features, subtly referencing Mario Kart World while emphasizing the distinct competitive nature of his team’s creation.
While he acknowledged the strengths of Nintendo’s recent release, he reinforced that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds aims to present itself as a true competitor in the racing genre.