We all love the feeling of racing against others and crossing the finish line. When you think about kart racing games you often think about Mario Kart, but other franchises have made these types of games. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a multiplayer kart racing game, where you get to race as your favorite Sonic character on tracks from past Sonic games. This game is a fan letter to fans of the Sonic franchise.

When racing they are three different terrain you will be racing on, normal track, water, and air. Your kart will change forms when you go through a ring leading to these terrains. Once the kart changes, the controls change slightly. Normally when driving the kart, you can drift into turns to gain a boost, but when you switch to water mode the drift button turns to a charge jump. This jump will give you a boost and can allow you to accuse different paths and even shortcuts in the tracks. When you change to plane mode, you can move in all directions and the drift button allows you to spin in the direction you’re moving and knock racers away. All these moves can be charged in three stages to give you a bigger boost or jump, so it’s a good idea to try and charge the gauge to the max.

While racing you will collect rings to increase the top speed of your kart. While it’s not needed to max out the rings, it really helps during the race. One thing this game does that adds to the challenge is that every time you hit the wall or a racer with a heavier kart than yours, will cause you to lose rings, so make sure you avoid the walls and not to hit other racers too much. However, knocking into other racers can prevent them from taking shortcuts so it’s a risk reward option.

When racing you can get items in item cases to help during the race. Some of these items are references to past Sonic games as well, such as the wisps from Sonic Colors. These items come in two categories, Attack and defence. The items are color coated when you receive them, so first time players get an idea as to what the item is used for. One thing I found is depending on which item you have, you need to either hold one to it or use it right away to keep your lead.

The reason this game is called CrossWorlds is during the race, once you reach the second lap whoever is in first place can choose a different world to race in for the second lap. Right before you start the second lap, two warp rings will appear, one of another track and the other will choose a random track to race on. If you choose the random track, there is a chance that a frenzy will happen. When this happens, during the second lap, something random will happen. The drift gauge might be given another level of charge, you might get unlimited boost items, and much more, giving an unpredictable aspect to the game.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds also allows you to customize your own kart. When you win races you get tickets, depending on how well you did during the race. You can choose the frame, the spoiler, the wheels and the color of the kart. You can use the tickets to unlock more options to customize your kart. These pieces affect the stats of the kart so feel free to experiment. Also you are given a plate that allows you to equip different badges to the kart. These range from preventing you from losing items when hit by the enemies, starting the race with a specific and even upping the stats of the kart.

All of the courses are references to past Sonic games, and the music is amazing. The soundtrack is filled with remixes of famous stage themes that make you want to speed to the finish. I find myself rocking out while listening to this soundtrack. I haven’t seen a game with this kind of amazing music in years and more games need to show love to the soundtrack.

In conclusion, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is an amazing game that any fan of the Sonic franchise will love. With amazing tracks to race on, music and gameplay, this is the best racing game in my opinion to play with your friends and family.

Score: 9 out of 10

Played on PlayStation 5