The Sonic Racing Crossworlds trailer made a major splash at Summer Game Fest 2025. With new CG scenes, an upgraded look, and a surprise cast of racers, this project may be the most ambitious Sonic racing title to date. The return of hoverboard-style racing using Extreme Gear added an extra layer of speed and style, especially with the Babylon Rogues now confirmed.
Sega fans quickly spotted Joker from Persona 5, Hatsune Miku, and a character from Yakuza in the reveal. These additions represent Sega’s broader universe and mark a shift beyond Sonic-only rosters. Players also noticed the visual improvements since the first teaser. Tracks looked smoother, models appeared cleaner, and the overall presentation felt more polished.
Sonic Prime and Werehog Join the Roster
Characters from Sonic Prime are racing in. Rusty Rose, Nine, and Dreadknux appeared briefly in the trailer. Alongside them, Sonic Unleashed’s Werehog made his return—something fans had hoped to see for years. The full launch lineup will also include additional variants and legacy characters from across Sonic’s timeline.
Minecraft content also received a short tease. The trailer showed Sonic racing through a blocky track in a Minecraft-themed world. This crossover builds on earlier collaborations between Sega and Mojang, but here it plays a larger role in the actual gameplay.
Crossworlds will launch on September 25, 2025, making it a direct rival to Mario Kart World on Switch 2.
Nickelodeon Crossover Leaks Surface Ahead of Kids Choice Reveal
Several leaks, already spreading online, claim that Sonic Racing Crossworlds will feature characters from Nickelodeon. These include Spongebob, Patrick, Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Fans originally dismissed these rumors, but gameplay footage has surfaced and aligns with promotional partnerships between Sega and Paramount.
The Kids Choice Awards, sponsored by Crossworlds, seem like the most likely venue for the official reveal. This connection, combined with Sega’s previous appearances at Paramount events, supports the idea that more characters will be announced there. The timing also lines up well with the game’s September launch.
More Sonic Universe Characters May Still Be Coming
While Sega has confirmed a strong launch lineup, fans believe more characters will be added. Possibilities include Mephiles, Tikal, Gerald Robotnik, or Maria. Others point to characters from Sonic Battle or Shadow: Dark Beginnings, such as Emerl. Crossworlds has already brought back many Sonic cast members, but there’s still room for deeper cuts.
Producer Takashi Iizuka made headlines with a brief comment during Summer Game Fest. While speaking on stage, he made a lighthearted remark about Mario Kart World, drawing cheers from Sonic fans. With Crossworlds stepping up its crossover scope, this rivalry might play out both in-game and through sales.
Fans also noticed a few blank character slots during the trailer, likely reserved for future DLC or final reveals. These placeholders suggest the cast isn’t complete and that more announcements are on the way.
A Full-Speed Marketing Push Begins
Sega’s rollout strategy is already drawing praise. Unveiling a cinematic trailer during Summer Game Fest followed by a likely Nickelodeon reveal builds strong momentum. The blend of Sega properties, third-party icons, and characters from television offers something for nearly every player.
Even the trailer animation received positive feedback. Marza Animation Planet—well known for its past work on Sonic cinematics—appears to have handled the visuals. The quality matched previous titles and kept fans glued to every frame.
With Sonic Racing Crossworlds now racing toward launch, attention shifts to its expanding roster. Between official reveals and reliable leaks, Sega is building a title that stands apart from past racing spin-offs. If even half of the rumored content arrives, this game may offer one of the most packed crossover rosters in modern gaming.
