Alongside introducing fresh gameplay elements, Sonic Team lead Takashi Iizuka joined us at IGN Live to discuss Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and explain why this crossover kart racer stands out from the pack.
Just one day after Summer Game Fest revealed Hatsune Miku, Like a Dragon's Ichiban Kasuga, Persona 5's Joker, and Minecraft's Steve/Alex/Creeper as guest characters, Iizuka shared insights about their selection process.
"We aimed to make the second lap full of surprises by visiting unexpected worlds," Iizuka explained. "While exploring Sega IPs was appealing, incorporating third-party worlds like Minecraft created that wow factor we wanted."
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds innovates with a three-lap structure where the first-place racer selects the next racing world via Travel Rings after the initial standard lap.
"The three-lap format keeps racing accessible while preventing repetition," Iizuka noted. "Travel Rings introduce unpredictability in the second lap, with additional surprises awaiting in the final stretch."
Discussing gameplay mechanics, Iizuka highlighted item callbacks to classic Sonic racers like Rocket Punch and Wisp items. His personal favorite? The Monster Truck power-up that "transforms your ride to crush opponents ahead."
Launching September 25, 2025, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds promises hoverboards from Sonic Riders, universal vehicle compatibility, 12-player online races, and cross-play functionality.
The game arrives on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms, with Switch 2 compatibility planned shortly after launch featuring all 23+ racers.
For additional details, explore our Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds preview and comprehensive IGN Live coverage.
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