CrossWorlds Might be a Nod to This 2012 Sega Racing Game

Drawing from fresh insights provided by Sega, the highly anticipated 2025 release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds appears to be taking a leaf out of the book from 2012’s Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. After an impressive lineup of games in 2024, Sega is revving up for another adventurous year with their latest kart racing endeavor, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. While detailed information is still under wraps, aside from a teaser trailer, this game is promising to bring all the excitement of a kart racer, echoing the charm of Mario Kart.

The world first caught a glimpse of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds at The Game Awards 2024, where Sega introduced a short yet thrilling cinematic teaser featuring none other than Shadow the Hedgehog. In this snippet, Shadow revs up his vehicle and plunges through a vibrant portal created by a Warp Ring, sparking plenty of speculation. Though actual gameplay footage was absent from the reveal, the teaser has fans buzzing with theories, fueled by Sega’s subsequent hints and details.

A peek into the game’s premise was hinted at through a tweet from Sonic Stadium, linking to Google metadata and a YouTube description from the Sega Asia (English) version of the game’s trailer. The synopsis teases that players will have the ability to “drift between dimensions,” referring back to the portal seen in the trailer. Additionally, it was revealed that racing would span “land, sea, air, space, and time.” This element of multiple terrains has drawn comparisons to the gameplay of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed among some enthusiasts.

There’s chatter that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds could be borrowing elements from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, a beloved spin-off in the Sonic racing franchise. This particular game allowed transformative gameplay where vehicles could switch modes between cars, boats, and planes, enabling players to tackle different challenges and paths during races. Frequently, tracks themselves would alter, prompting gamers to adapt and approach their strategies anew within each lap. The expectation is that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds might incorporate similar transformative elements.

As the cinematic trailer centers around Shadow’s car, it has led fans to wonder if the Extreme Gear airboards from Sonic Riders will make an appearance as another mode of transportation. Observations of an airboard casually resting on a wall in the trailer suggest they might be. Furthermore, the “CrossWorlds” aspect of the title hints at the possibility of other Sega icons, such as NiGHTs or Ulala, making their way into the game, adding a diverse crossover element to the roster.

This dive into Sonic’s universe through Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds seems set to blend nostalgia with fresh innovation. Fans are eager to see how this new installment will race beyond expectations, carving out a distinct niche in the realm of kart racing games.