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How to Unlock Characters in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (October 2026 Guide)

Most launch racers are available from the start; Grand Prix progression reportedly unlocks Super Sonic. Werehog, update racers and crossover DLC use different access paths.

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Most of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’ original racers are available from the start. The reported exception is Super Sonic, unlocked through Grand Prix progression. Other characters come through purchase bonuses, free updates or paid DLC, so there is no single gameplay challenge that unlocks the entire roster. This guide reflects information available on October 4, 2026; SEGA’s reviewed pages do not provide one complete, current roster across every update and DLC release.

Which characters require gameplay progression?

Most launch racers are ready from the start

SEGA announced 23 Sonic-universe characters for the game at launch. That figure describes the launch roster, not every racer added later through updates or DLC. Available reporting says the base-game racers are available from the start, with Super Sonic as the progression exception. SEGA’s launch announcement gives the launch count; GamesRadar’s review describes the reported unlock path.

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Unlock Super Sonic by beating the rivals

GamesRadar reports that you unlock Super Sonic by defeating all 23 rivals through Grand Prix progression. The reviewed SEGA pages do not specify this condition, so treat it as a reported game unlock rather than an officially documented requirement. GamesRadar also reports that Super Sonic cannot be used online.

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Which racers come from bonuses, updates or DLC?

Path Characters and requirements
Purchase bonus SEGA lists Werehog as a digital pre-order bonus and a physical early-purchase bonus. Access therefore depends on edition and purchase timing, rather than an in-game challenge. See SEGA’s purchase guide.
Free updates SEGA’s March 2026 post names Red, Goro Majima (Captain Majima) and Arle as playable racers arriving in free updates. Its August 2026 announcement confirms Axel as a free-update racer and says an internet connection is required to claim add-ons. These announcements are examples, not a complete current free-update roster. See SEGA’s March 2026 update post and SEGA’s August 2026 announcement.
Paid DLC SEGA lists collaboration racers in DLC waves: Minecraft (Steve, Alex and Creeper); SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob and Patrick); PAC-MAN (PAC-MAN and Ghosts); Mega Man (Mega Man and Proto Man); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello); and Avatar Legends (Aang and Katara). The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the Season Pass, and SEGA says the Season Pass and collaboration DLC are also sold separately. Check your platform’s store and in-game DLC status for current availability; SEGA notes that contents and release dates can change. See SEGA’s purchase guide and official DLC guide.

How to check which characters you can use

  1. Check the character select screen. The launch racers are generally available without individual unlocks; use Grand Prix progression to pursue Super Sonic.
  2. Check your edition and purchase timing. If Werehog is missing, confirm whether your digital pre-order or qualifying early physical purchase included the bonus.
  3. Check your platform’s store entitlements. Confirm that any Season Pass or character DLC is owned for the platform you play on, and that the relevant content has been released there.
  4. Connect to the internet to claim add-ons. SEGA states that an internet connection is required to claim add-ons; then check the game’s DLC status or character select screen.

Is there a complete current character list?

Not in the reviewed official pages as of October 4, 2026. SEGA’s launch announcement establishes the 23-character launch figure, while its later posts confirm particular free-update racers and its DLC guide identifies collaboration waves. Together, these sources do not establish one exhaustive, dated roster covering every release. For a specific character, verify the current in-game roster and the store listing for your platform.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Decals Tote Bag
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Decals Tote Bag
Racing Game Decals design. Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!; 16” x 16” bag with two 14” long and 1” wide black cotton webbing strap handles.
$18.99
Bestseller No. 2
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Shadow the Hedgehog, Locked in T-Shirt, Men, Black, Small
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Shadow the Hedgehog, Locked in T-Shirt, Men, Black, Small
Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!; Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
$19.99
Bestseller No. 5
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Sonic VS Shadow Let's Race T-Shirt, Men, Black, 3X-Large
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Sonic VS Shadow Let's Race T-Shirt, Men, Black, 3X-Large
Sonic Racing Game design. Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!; Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
$19.99
Best Value
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Sonic VS Shadow Let's Race T-Shirt, Men, Black, 3X-Large
  • Sonic Racing Game design. Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!
  • Apparel for Men, Women, Boys, Girls, Sonic T-Shirts, SEGA T-shirts, Video Game, Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #4
Sonic the Hedgehog Crash Course by IDW Games | Fast-Paced Racing with Build-As-You-Play Track | Chaos Emeralds and Pre-Painted Miniatures | 2-4 Players Ages 8+ | 30-45 Minutes
  • RACE THROUGH GREEN HILL ZONE: Take control of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Dr. Eggman in a high speed tabletop race where players dash around the track and compete to collect Chaos Emeralds before rivals do.
  • THRILLING ITEMS AND HAZARDS: Grab item tokens that boost speed, heal damage, set traps or slow opponents, creating dramatic comebacks and interactive moments that make every lap exciting for kids and adults.
  • DYNAMIC BUILD AS YOU PLAY TRACK: Assemble the modular track as you race so the course changes during play, keeping each game fresh, unpredictable and replayable while staying quick to set up and teach.
  • PRE PAINTED SONIC MINIATURES: Includes four detailed plastic miniatures of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman that bring authentic video game style to the table and look great racing across the board.
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY RACING GAME: Designed for 2 to 4 players ages 8 and up, with straightforward rules, fast turns and energetic competition that work well for family game night and casual Sonic fans alike.
Rank #3
NKOK Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Shadow RC Car Toy with Turbo Boost, 8.25"
  • 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫: Bring Shadow from the video game to life with a detailed RC car built for high-speed racing action.
  • 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭: Push the turbo button to take Shadow from fast to faster and recreate the speed-boosting excitement of CrossWorlds.
  • 𝟐.𝟒𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: Drive forward, reverse, left and right with responsive steering for quick turns and hands-on racing action.
  • 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Front headlights and rear taillights illuminate Shadow’s vehicle so the CrossWorlds racing action can continue day or night.
  • 𝟏𝟓𝟎-𝐅𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: Take Shadow up to 150 feet away for exciting indoor races, outdoor courses and plenty of room to speed around.
Rank #2
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Shadow the Hedgehog, Locked in T-Shirt, Men, Black, Small
  • Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!
  • Apparel for Men, Women, Boys, Girls, Sonic T-Shirts, SEGA T-shirts, Video Game, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, Sonic Racing., Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog, animation, animated, anime
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
#1 Best Overall
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Decals Tote Bag
  • Racing Game Decals design. Official Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise! Design by SEGA!
  • Apparel for Men, Women, Boys, Girls, Sonic T-Shirts, SEGA T-shirts, Video Game, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, Sonic Racing.
  • 16” x 16” bag with two 14” long and 1” wide black cotton webbing strap handles.
  • Made of a lightweight, spun polyester canvas-like fabric.
  • All seams and stress points are double-stitched for durability, and the reinforced bottom flattens to fit more items and hold larger objects.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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