If you want another racer after Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, start with Mario Kart World for a familiar kart-racing format on Nintendo Switch 2, or consider Kirby Air Riders if you’re open to a more unusual race structure. For another Sonic-branded option, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed stands out for vehicles that shift between cars, boats, and planes. The best fit depends on your platform and the kind of racing you want—not on a single universal ranking.
What makes CrossWorlds different?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds centers on the Travel Ring: racers pass into another world mid-race, changing the course and race conditions. Nintendo’s listing describes 24 tracks and 15 CrossWorlds, alongside 23 characters, 45 vehicles, 70 gadgets, and 23 items. Those are product-listing figures, not independent measurements. SEGA says players can customize vehicle parts, colors, decals, and textures, with more than 70,000 machine combinations. Nintendo’s listing and SEGA’s product information provide the feature details.
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SEGA announced the game for September 25, 2025, with Steam and Epic Games Store versions launching September 26. It describes cross-play across supported platforms and online World Match for up to 12 racers. Nintendo’s listing describes offline and online modes, local split-screen, Time Trials, and Race Park; it specifies one-system play for 1–4 players, local wireless for 2–8, and online play for 2–12. These details are publisher and store descriptions, not independent tests. SEGA’s launch and feature announcement and Nintendo’s product listing give the platform-specific information.
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Which game should you try next?
Choose Mario Kart World for a familiar kart-racing series
Mario Kart World is a direct alternative for Nintendo Switch 2 players who want a recognizable kart-racing series rather than another Sonic-themed racer. Tom’s Guide’s comparison discusses its Free Roam mode alongside CrossWorlds and Kirby Air Riders. That comparison reflects one reviewer’s perspective, not a consensus ranking. Check the current Nintendo listing and edition details for your console before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Choose Kirby Air Riders if you want a less conventional format
Kirby Air Riders is another Switch 2 option. Tom’s Guide highlights City Trial as its distinctive mode, making it worth considering if you want something beyond a straightforward lap-racing structure. The description of its appeal is editorial, based on that publication’s comparison; it should not be read as an objective verdict about which game is better.
Tom’s Guide compares all three Switch 2 games in its comparison of Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Kirby Air Riders.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
Choose Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for changing vehicles
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed offers a different hook: vehicles change between car, boat, and plane. It is a clear fit if you want another SEGA racer but would rather change how you race than follow CrossWorlds’ world-transition mechanic. PC Gamer includes it in a PC racing-games roundup, but that list is not a current compatibility guide for every platform or storefront. Verify that the edition you find supports your system before purchasing. PC Gamer’s racing-games list is a reference, not a live availability check.
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Team Sonic Racing and Sonic Riders are other names in the broader Sonic racing series, as noted by Tom’s Guide. Their current platform availability and mode details are not established here, so check the relevant platform store before deciding. Tom’s Guide’s CrossWorlds review mentions those series entries.
Rank #3
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
How to pick the right racer for your setup
- Start with your platform. The closest three-game comparison here covers CrossWorlds, Mario Kart World, and Kirby Air Riders on Switch 2. For Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed or another Sonic entry, check the exact system and storefront; an older PC listing does not establish current support across platforms.
- Choose the race structure you want. Pick Mario Kart World for a familiar kart-series option, Kirby Air Riders if City Trial and a less conventional format appeal, or Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for vehicle changes between land, water, and air. These distinctions describe the cited sources; they are not a controlled head-to-head test.
- Match the game to your group. If you are deciding whether to keep playing CrossWorlds, its Nintendo listing specifies 1–4 players on one system, 2–8 over local wireless, and 2–12 online. SEGA says cross-play is available across supported platforms. Confirm that your particular platform and play mode support the group you have in mind.
- Check the current listing before you buy. Store availability, stock, edition, and compatibility can vary. The information above does not establish live retailer inventory or current prices.
Which kart racer is best for your platform?
For Switch 2 players, Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders are the most direct alternatives covered here: one offers a familiar kart-series route, while the other is worth a look if its distinct mode structure appeals to you. If your priority is staying with Sonic, try Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed when a compatible edition is available. There is no evidence here for an objective winner across platforms, and no comprehensive current catalog of every kart racer on PC and consoles.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Race through an interconnected world of courses spanning mountains, forests, and cities with dynamic weather patterns and day/night cycles.
- Experience intense 24-driver elimination races in Knockout Tour mode, where racers compete checkpoint by checkpoint until one champion remains.
- Master new racing techniques including rail riding, wall jumping, and water skimming to find the fastest route to victory.
- Explore the vast world at your own pace in Free Roam mode, discovering hidden surprises and alternate paths.
- Enhance your racing experience with magnetic Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessories, providing secure and realistic steering control.
Rank #4
- [SEAMLESS OPEN WORLD] Experience an interconnected racing environment with zero loading screens between courses. Navigate a massive world featuring 24-hour dynamic day/night cycles and shifting weather patterns that directly impact vehicle traction and handling across mountains and cities.
- [ADVANCED RACING MECHANICS] Master all-new maneuvers including high-speed rail riding, wall jumping, and tactical water skimming. These next-gen traversal abilities allow players to discover hidden shortcuts and alternate routes within a 100% seamless world-map architecture.
- [24-PLAYER ELIMINATION MODE] Compete in the high-stakes Knockout Tour, an adrenaline-packed 24-driver elimination mode where racers are removed checkpoint by checkpoint. Supports up to 24-player online multiplayer with integrated GameChat for real-time social coordination.
- [NEXT-GEN TECHNICAL SPECS] Optimized exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system to deliver stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution in docked mode and a locked 60FPS frame rate. Features enhanced texture mapping and global illumination for the most immersive visual experience in series history.
- [OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION] Step away from the Grand Prix in the all-new Free Roam mode to wander the world at your own pace. Discover hidden surprises, unlockable vehicle parts, and brand-new drivers across diverse biomes including dense forests and sprawling urban landscapes.
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