Over my time here at Phenixx Gaming, I’ve had the opportunity to review kart racers of all types. A few indie gems, a few major disappointments, and a few surprises. SEGA continues to be one of the consistent publishers that understands what makes a kart racer work, particularly in not chasing other titles in the genre and carving out its own space. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is already a favorite among gamers thanks to its release last year, but the Nintendo Switch 2 version is out now, and a must-own for fans of casual racing games. From performance and graphics to a killer cast of characters, SEGA put a shiny coat of paint on its latest kart racer that’s well worth a pickup.

If you already own Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, grabbing the Nintendo Switch 2 edition is just an additional $10. The major change here from the base game is in performance. On the Nintendo Switch 2, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds runs at a locked 60 FPS, double that of the Nintendo Switch version. The game also runs in 1440p resolution when docked and 1080p handheld. In addition to the performance, graphic upgrades include improved lighting and enhanced visual textures. I have a Nintendo Switch copy, and playing both in sequence really shows the massive upgrade the Nintendo Switch 2 version offers.

Of course, you may have sat out the Nintendo Switch version waiting for this Switch 2 edition, so let’s say you’re new to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Let’s talk about why this is worth picking up, especially if you’re someone who tends to play only kart racing series that may be a bit more synonymous with Nintendo. Well, in both online and offline modes, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds takes Sonic, Tails, and a slew of other SEGA characters and has them race, as you might have guessed. The gimmick for this title, in particular, however, is that during your races, you will get the opportunity to travel to another map in another world.

It’s a fun feature, and with the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, it looks and feels so great. With additional characters coming through free updates and DLC, we’re pushing 30 characters to choose from across 45 vehicles and 70 gadgets, which are add-ons that boost certain aspects of your kart’s specs. The Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds experience feels fluid, and the ability to customize your kart to your playstyle does give you agency that I think a lot of kart racers skip. There’s also a level of strategy given for which of the 8 circuits you might be racing in. There are some that I’m going to prioritize speed over drifting, and the inverse is true in others.

I think a lot of people think only one kart racer is necessary for their game library. Google things about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and it’s a never-ending list of forums and discussions about whether to grab this game or Mario Kart World. I honestly love having both in my rotation, particularly for what Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds offers that this latest Mario Kart experience does not. If I were going to pick a game this generation for a co-op hangout with friends that largely consisted of people who don’t play video games, I’d go with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. It’s accessible enough, but also visually, it does so much to wow and thrill the audience playing and spectating.

There was already ample reason to have Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on Nintendo Switch, but if you’re enjoying the newest iteration of Nintendo’s home-hybrid hardware, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a no-brainer purchase. With massive upgrades and a great array of ways of customizing the game to your playstyle, SEGA is giving the top dog in the kart racer genre a real run for its money with this latest entry in the Sonic Racing series.

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