Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Unveils Characters and Tracks for Closed Test

Dive into the exciting world of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the latest installment in the Sonic The Hedgehog kart racing series. Developed by Sega and the Sonic Team, this game promises to bring fans the largest roster ever seen in the series, along with innovative gameplay mechanics and features. Here's everything you need to know about the new additions and the upcoming closed network test.

Largest Roster From The Series Ever

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to feature an impressive lineup of characters from both the Sonic and Sega universes. According to Thalia Piedra, Associate PR Manager at Sega of America, the game will launch with 23 characters, with more to be added post-launch. Although the full roster hasn't been officially announced, the reveal trailer showcased a diverse group of racers.

The trailer confirmed the inclusion of core Sonic characters such as Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Amy, along with characters from Sonic Riders like Jet, Wave, and Storm. Fans will also see Zavok and Zazz from the Deadly Six, Team Dark members Shadow, Rouge, and E-123 Omega, and Dr. Eggman with his creations Egg Pawn and Metal Sonic. The Chaotix team, including Vector, Charmy, and Espio, will also be racing alongside Blaze, Silver, Cream, and Big, completing a robust lineup.

Travel Rings Will Transport Characters To Different CrossWorlds

One of the standout features of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the introduction of Travel Rings. These rings will transport characters to different worlds, known as CrossWorlds, in real-time during races. This mechanic promises to deliver a dynamic and ever-changing racing experience, reminiscent of the transformative tracks seen in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.

Thalia Piedra explains that these Travel Rings will "bring dramatic changes to races, transporting players from one world to a completely new location." Each CrossWorld offers a theme park-like experience with surprises at every turn, including large monsters, engaging obstacles, and tracks filled with beautiful scenery. The game will feature 24 main tracks and 15 CrossWorlds, ensuring that every race feels fresh and exciting.

Customization, Extreme Gear, Gadgets, and More!

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will offer the most extensive vehicle customization options in the series to date. A preview on the game's official Twitter (X) account showcased the ability to change the front and rear parts of the vehicle, wheels, and even the color of the body, tires, cockpit, and the vehicle's overall glow.

Players can further personalize their racing experience with Gadgets, allowing them to optimize their play style with 23 different power-up items. The game will also include 45 unique original vehicles, with the return of Extreme Gear from Sonic Riders. This feature lets players ride on flying hoverboards, adding a boost-based racing style to the mix.

Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Creative Officer, highlighted that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is "a great culmination of all the Sonic Racing series games to date," promising a rich and engaging experience for both new and returning players.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Closed Network Test Announced

Closed Network Test Registration Now Open

Get ready for a sneak peek at Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds with its upcoming closed network test. Registration opened on February 12, 2025, and will close on February 19, 2025. The playtest will run from February 21, 2025, to February 24, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.

Here are the test times in various time zones:

• PST: 02/21/2025 (Fri) 04:00 PM - 02/23/2025 (Sun) 04:00 PM
• EST: 02/21/2025 (Fri) 07:00 PM - 02/23/2025 (Sun) 07:00 PM
• GMT: 02/22/2025 (Sat) 00:00 AM - 02/24/2025 (Mon) 00:00 AM
• JST: 02/22/2025 (Sat) 09:00 AM - 02/24/2025 (Mon) 09:00 AM

Participants who complete the post-test survey will receive an exclusive in-game sticker and title, adding even more incentive to join the fun. Don't miss your chance to experience Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds before its official launch!