Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Are Sega's Open Test Drives a Portal to Pure Chaos or Just More Hype?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Jeff dives into the upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test, unraveling what this early access means for players, celebrating its surprisingly robust local co-op and cross-platform features, and giving a nod to the wild Pac-Man crossover, all while maintaining his signature blend of enthusiastic curiosity and gentle skepticism.
Right, so I’ve been tinkering with the latest news from the digital ether, and bloody hell, it looks like Sega is strapping us into the driver’s seat for a wild ride. According to a recent report over at Eurogamer, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is kicking off its Open Network Test on August 29th, giving us a peek under the hood before its full release. And honestly, mate, my curiosity levels are spiking higher than a Chaos Emerald detecting machine.
Now, an 'Open Network Test' – sound familiar? It’s that wonderfully vague term companies use when they want to, shall we say, 'stress-test' their servers. Or maybe, just maybe, they want to generate a truckload of hype without calling it a demo. Bit of both, I reckon. It’s a classic move: drop a limited-time play window, get everyone scrambling for a spot, and *poof*, instant buzz. But what does it mean for *us*, the folks actually doing the racing? It means a chance to see if this blue blur racer is going to be a silky-smooth experience or a glitchy nightmare that sends you through the floor of the track, landing you in some bizarre, unintended dimension. Here’s hoping for the silky smooth, eh?
This open test is slated for PS5, Xbox Series consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch, running from August 29th right through the weekend until September 1st. But here's where my gently skeptical eyebrow starts to twitch: no PS4 or Xbox One users this time around. While it’s not exactly a shocking development – we’re moving into the glorious, shiny future of current-gen, after all – it does make you wonder if they’re cutting ties with the last-gen quicker than Sonic can scarf down a chili dog. Is it a technical necessity, pushing the game to its limits on the latest hardware, or a subtle nudge for folks to upgrade? Probably a bit of column A and a bit of column B, like most things in this industry.
So, what exactly can we expect to tinker with during this digital joyride? Well, they're laying out a smorgasbord of game modes, which is always a good sign. It tells me they’re not just banking on one trick, but aiming for a full deck of fun:
* **Grand Prix:** The bread and butter, isn’t it? Race solo or with mates in local split-screen – and fair dinkum, hearing 'local split-screen' in a modern game gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s a four-race cup setup, points awarded, most points wins. Classic. But then they toss in this 'Rival System' – randomly assigned rivals, playful taunts, unique dialogue. Now *that’s* interesting! It's adding a dash of personality, a bit of dynamic rivalry that isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first. Like a friendly wizard duel, but with go-karts. * **World Match:** This is where the truly competitive folks will live. Online against 11 others, earning Rank Points, climbing that leaderboard. It’s the digital equivalent of planting your flag on the highest mountain. For those who thrive on the grind and proving their worth against the best the internet can offer, this is your arena. Just try not to throw your controller through the monitor when someone snipes you with an item at the last second, yeah? * **Friend Match & Custom Match:** Ah, the holy grail for a solid gaming session with your crew! Up to 11 players online in custom lobbies for Friend Match, or up to 4 players offline split-screen for Custom Match. The best part? You control *everything*: Speed, Team Size, Course/CrossWorlds, AI Difficulty, Frenzy Gates, Items, Rule Sets. This, mate, is where the real magic happens. This is where you can truly experiment, craft the perfect chaotic race, or set up bizarre challenges that would make even Dr. Robotnik scratch his head. This level of customization is a huge win for player agency, allowing for endless replayability beyond the standard modes. * **Race Park:** A 'party mode' with six unique race formats, online and offline. Change up the rules and teams? My mind immediately goes to the potential for delightful mayhem. This sounds like the kind of mode where friendships are tested, laughter is guaranteed, and you find out who’s truly got that competitive edge, even when the rules are thrown out the window. * **Time Trial:** For the purists. Compete for the best time on individual courses, climb the Leaderboard Rankings. This is for those who chase perfection, who’ll spend hours shaving milliseconds off their lap times. A digital zen garden, if you will, but with a lot more turbo boosts.
Beyond the modes, there are a couple of standout features that caught my eye. We already touched on the **Rival System**, which sounds like a brilliant way to keep races engaging even when you’re not in first place. Then there’s the **four-player local co-op**, which, as I mentioned, is an absolute gem in this online-dominated era. And perhaps most critically for a multiplayer title: **cross-platform matchmaking**. Honestly, in 2025, if a multiplayer game *doesn't* have this, it feels like it's missing a limb. It’s brilliant that everyone can hop into the race, no matter what console they own. No more digital FOMO just because your mate plays on a different box.
But wait, there’s more! Remember when I mentioned unexpected portals opening? Sega’s pulled a blinder with a **Sonic and Pac-Man crossover**! They’re both hopping into each other’s new games. Now *that* is the kind of cheeky, unexpected move that genuinely excites me. It shows a willingness to play, to mix universes, and hints at potentially more wild crossovers down the line. What other characters could sneak their way into the CrossWorlds? My brain’s already conjuring up images of Kazuma Kiryu in a go-kart, singing karaoke mid-race.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to drop digitally and physically on September 25th for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. And for those of you eyeing the horizon, a Switch 2 edition is planned for later this year digitally, with a physical release in 2026. A bit of a staggered release for the Switch 2, which is interesting. Perhaps giving the new console a moment to breathe before dumping a physical edition on shelves, or maybe just some logistical wizardry behind the scenes.
Overall, while open network tests always come with a dash of 'corporate PR speak' baked in, the sheer variety of modes and player-centric features like proper local co-op and cross-play, combined with that wonderfully quirky Rival System and the Pac-Man crossover, give me a cautiously optimistic feeling about *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds*. It seems Sega is actually listening to what makes a kart racer fun, and hopefully, this test will ensure the digital pathways are clear for a smooth launch. Here’s hoping it’s less 'spinning out of control' and more 'super Sonic speed bliss!'
[Original article by Tom Orry / Eurogamer, published on Aug. 20, 2025, titled 'Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test to begin on 29th August']
Tags: Sonic, Sega, Kart Racing, Multiplayer, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer