It’s safe to say thatMario Kart 9may be up against some tough competition in the coming months, as Mario’s eternal rival Sonic is stepping up to the starting line inSonic Racing: Crossworlds.There’s certainly huge excitement currently surrounding the new entry in theMario Kartseries. Not only will it be the first new mainline console entry in the series since 2014, butMario Kart 9also has the opportunity to take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilitiesto deliver a stellar racing game.
WhileSonic the Hedgehogis best known for its high-speed gameplay, the racing titles have never been the strongest games in the franchise. However, this could change with the release ofSonic Racing: CrossWorlds,which looks to take the kart-racing genre in an entirely new direction.CrossWorlds’s new additions and shake-up to the formula have resulted in a hugely ambitious title that, if executed well, could beat outMario Kart 9to become the best racing game of 2025.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Looks To Be A Huge Kart Racer
The Game’s Latest Showcase Provided A Look At Multiple New Features
Initially revealed during The Game Awards last December,Sonic Racing: CrossWorldswas given a more in-depth showcase duringSony’s most recent State of Playpresentation. The relatively short trailer was able to provide a demonstration ofCrossWorlds’s wealth of new featuresthat looked to completely alter the traditional kart racing gameplay. With this showcase, Sega has made the huge scale ofCrossWorldsabundantly clear, and its easily the biggest racing game that the series has seen to date.
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The most notable new feature shown during theCrossWorldstrailer was the inclusion of Travel Rings, which allows the player in first place to change the course during a race. This new feature immediately adds a sense of variety toCrossWorlds’s gameplay,creating a wide range of different course combinations that will make each race feel different. Moreover, the spontaneity of such a feature will make quickly adjusting to new environments a crucial skill, elevating that sense of chaos that makes kart racing games so engaging to begin with.
According to the officialSega website, Travel Rings are only used on the second lap of a race inSonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Other changes occur on the final lap, although no specific details are provided on what these changes entail.
Travel Rings are only the start of features that add toCrossWorlds’s variety and chaos. From the introduction of customizable gadgets to the return of extreme gear that was first introduced inSonic Riders,CrossWorldsis demonstratinga level of creativity that hasn’t been seen beforein theSonic Racingseries. While a release date has not been confirmed, players can apply on Sega’s website for aclosed network test ofCrossWorldsto see what the game has to offer. The test starts on February 22, so a full launch is likely not far behind.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Is Ambitious In Its Approach
The Game Is Not Content With Being Another Standard Kart Racer
What makesCrossWorldssuch a promising title is the ambitious approach that’s been adopted for the game. It’s clear thatCrossWorlds’s wealth of content isn’t included simply for the sake of making the game bigger,but constitutes an active attempt at challenging the conventions of the kart racing genreto deliver something fresh and original.
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One of the most entertaining aspects of any kart racing game is its sense of chaos and unpredictability, keeping players on their toes as they remain unaware of what’s around the corner. However, not every kart racing game is able to maintain this, andplayers can become well-adjusted to a certain title’s mechanics and surprises over time. Even agame likeMario Kart 8 Deluxe, with its gargantuan level of courses, items, and customizations, can eventually become predictable as players are more aware of what each race will entail.
The game is making an active attempt to break this cycle that can make other kart racers feel redundant.
However, withCrossWorlds, its use of Travel Rings, gadgets, and vehicle customizations could ensure that no two races are ever the same. The game is making an active attempt to break this cycle that can make other kart racers feel redundant, which is incredibly refreshing.It’s a hugely ambitious movethat does come with major risksofCrossWorldspotentially feeling imbalanced and overwhelming. If it’s executed correctly, however,Sonic’s latest racing venture could end up being a huge boost to the genre as a whole.
Mario Kart 9 Needs To Have That Same Creativity
The Game Must Be Able To Deliver Something Fresh And Original
The sheer ambition and creativity on display inCrossWorldsonly intensifies the need forMario Kart 9to take a new direction. While the tried-and-testedMario Kartformula has always been beloved and highly engaging,CrossWorlds’s bold changes signify the need for kart racing games to evolve and adapt in order to deliver something fresh. IfMario Kart 9fails to bring something unique to the table,the game could end up fading into the background, allowing other titles likeCrossWorldsto take center stage.
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It’s also worth noting thatMario Kart 9has huge expectations placed on it, largely thanks to the series' most recent outing.Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis undoubtedly one of the best games in the kart racing genre, offering a complete experience that feels like a culmination of the series' 32-year history. Because of this,Mario Kart 9must prove that the series can still offer its own creative, original experiencesbeyond whatMario Kart 8 Deluxeprovided.Otherwise, it will fail to push the franchise forward the same wayCrossWorldsis promising to do for theSonic Racingseries.
WithMario Kart 9also expected to launch this yearalongside the Switch 2, it will undoubtedly have some tough competition to go up against. SinceCrossWorldspromises to usher in a new, ambitious era for the kart racing genre, it’s become even more important forMario Kart 9to take its own inventive direction compared to previous entries. IfMario Kart 9struggles to offer a fresh and original experience, then it might fail to preventSonic Racing: CrossWorldsfrom claiming the title of the best racing game of 2025.
