Julio Neves
Summary
- The Sonic franchise returns to racing with Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, announced at The Game Awards
- Sonic Racing CrossWorlds marks the franchise’s first racing game since 2019, with Shadow in the spotlight
- Sonic Racing CrossWorlds could redefine Sonic racing with Shadow’s prominence
The Sonic franchise is speeding back onto the racetrack with a brand-new title, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. The game was officially revealed during The Game Awards with a short but intriguing cinematic trailer, confirming its availability across all platforms. While details remain sparse, the announcement has fans buzzing with excitement as this marks the first Sonic racing game since Team Sonic Racing debuted in 2019.
New roads await… pic.twitter.com/o1OJilxPxc
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) December 13, 2024
A New Era for Sonic Racing
It’s been over four years since the last Sonic-themed racing game graced our screens, and Sonic Racing CrossWorlds promises to bring a fresh twist to the formula. Unfortunately, the teaser didn’t include a release date, leaving us to speculate. Given Sega’s trend of annual Sonic releases in recent years, there’s a good chance we could see this game hit shelves by 2025.
One intriguing aspect of the teaser was its choice of focus: Shadow the Hedgehog took center stage instead of Sonic himself. This is a significant shift and feels fitting, given the “Year of Shadow” theme that’s been prominent throughout 2024. Shadow’s growing presence across media, including his role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (the upcoming movie) and the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations, a remastered classic with a new Shadow-centric campaign, has made him a focal point of the franchise’s current direction. This teaser only cements his role as a key player in Sonic’s ever-expanding universe.
What “CrossWorlds” Might Mean
The title Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is already sparking speculation. Could this mean we’re returning to the multi-franchise mash-up style seen in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed? Those games featured an eclectic roster of characters from across Sega’s catalog, providing fan-favorite crossovers. This approach was set aside in Team Sonic Racing, which focused solely on the core Sonic characters. The “CrossWorlds” branding hints that Sega might be ready to bring back broader collaborations, perhaps even pulling in characters and settings from outside the Sonic universe entirely.
The Game Awards Highlights
The reveal of Sonic Racing CrossWorlds wasn’t the only major announcement of the night. The Game Awards delivered a packed showcase of gaming’s brightest upcoming titles and standout achievements from the past year.
The event opened with a bang, unveiling a cinematic trailer for The Witcher 4, where Ciri was confirmed as the protagonist. Fans of Capcom’s beloved Okami series were thrilled to hear that a sequel, Okami 2, is officially in development—nearly two decades after the original’s release.
The climax of the evening saw Astro Bot crowned as Game of the Year. It faced stiff competition from other heavyweights like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Nonetheless, the lovable VR hero clinched the top prize, solidifying his place in gaming history.
What’s Next for Sonic Racing?
While the Sonic Racing CrossWorlds trailer left much to the imagination, the announcement alone is enough to excite fans of the blue blur and his ever-expanding cast of friends (and rivals). With Shadow stealing the spotlight and the potential for expansive crossovers, this could be one of the most ambitious Sonic racing games yet.
As we await more details, one thing is certain: Sonic fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming years, whether it’s on the racetrack, in theaters, or through the franchise’s various other ventures. Let the speculation begin!
