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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Release Date, Start Times, Editions, and Demo Details

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Credit: SEGA)

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is officially set to release worldwide on September 25, 2025, bringing SEGA’s iconic mascot back to the kart racing scene.


The game will launch across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with staggered unlock times depending on platform and region.


Release Date and Global Start Times

SEGA has confirmed a global release schedule for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. This means players around the world will be able to start racing at the same time, regardless of region.

  • Console Release (Standard Edition): September 25, 2025, at midnight local time.

  • PC Release (Steam/Epic Games): September 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM UTC (12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT).

  • Digital Deluxe Edition Early Access: September 22, 2025 (three days early).

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Planned for Holiday 2025, with no early access.


Here’s a quick look at regional unlock times for the Standard Edition:

  • US Pacific (PDT): Sept 24 - 9:00 PM

  • US Eastern (EDT): Sept 25 - 12:00 AM

  • UK (BST): Sept 25 - 5:00 AM

  • Central Europe (CEST): Sept 25 - 6:00 AM

  • India (IST): Sept 25 - 9:30 AM

  • Japan (JST): Sept 25 - 1:00 PM


Editions and Pricing

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will arrive with three editions, catering to both digital and physical collectors.


Standard Edition

  • Price: $69.99 USD (PS/Xbox/PC) / $59.99 USD (Switch)

  • Base game only

  • Pre‑order bonus: Werehog Pack DLC (playable Werehog character + cosmetic items like vehicle Beast Spike, and the Werehog Decal)


Digital Deluxe Edition

  • Price: $89.99 USD (Xbox/PC/PlayStation)

  • Base game

  • 3‑day early access (Sept 22)

  • Season Pass (6 DLC drops — crossover characters, tracks, emotes, machines)

  • Sonic Prime Character Pack (Rusty Rose, Tails Nine, Knuckles the Dread)

  • Pre‑order bonus: Werehog Pack DLC


Collector’s Edition (Limited Run Games)

  • Price: $249.99 USD

  • Physical copy (digital code for PC buyers)

  • All Standard content + Pre‑order bonus

  • Physical extras:

    • Sonic & Shadow Racing Statue

    • Hardcover Artbook

    • Two‑disc Soundtrack

    • SteelBook case

    • IDW tie‑in comic

    • Chrome car emblem

    • Sonic rear‑view mirror dangler

    • King Bomb Boo keychain

    • 24 foil trading cards

    • Certificate of authenticity


Season Pass Details

  • Included in Digital Deluxe & Collector’s Edition

  • Sold separately for Standard Edition owners

  • 6 DLC packs

    • Minecraft Pack

      • Characters: Steve, Alex, Creeper

      • Machine: Minecart

      • Course: Minecraft World

    • SpongeBob SquarePants Pack

      • Characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star

      • Machine: Patty Wagon

      • Course: Bikini Bottom

    • PAC-MAN Pack

      • Characters: PAC-MAN, Ghosts (Blinky, Inky, Pinky, Clyde)

      • Machine: PAC-MAN Mobile

      • Course: Pac-Village & Maze

    • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Pack (Confirmed, details TBA)

    • Avatar Legends Pack (Confirmed, details TBA)

    • Final Crossover Pack (Unannounced)


Pre-Load and Download Sizes

Pre-loads open up two days earlier, depending on which version you buy:

  • Standard Edition: Pre-load from September 23.

  • Deluxe Edition: Pre-load from September 20.


Download sizes (via PlayStation Game Size) are fairly manageable:

  • PS4: 12.601 GB

  • PS5: 13.161 GB

  • PC (Steam): Requires at least 9 GB of available space

  • Xbox: Sizes expected to be similar to PlayStation versions


Is There Any Demo

If you’re not ready to commit, SEGA is offering a single-player demo beginning September 17, 2025, at midnight EST. The demo will only include offline racing, so online multiplayer fans will need to wait till the full release.


Industry Context and Expectations

With Mario Kart World already on the market in 2025, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds enters a competitive kart racing scene. Still, SEGA isn’t shying away from comparisons. The Open Network Test drew in hundreds of thousands of players, showing strong early interest.


The addition of crossover content, robust pre-order bonuses, and a Season Pass featuring post-launch DLC (first drop: Minecraft crossover) suggests SEGA is positioning CrossWorlds as a long-term multiplayer title. Whether it can rival Mario Kart’s dominance remains to be seen, but fans of arcade racers certainly have plenty to look forward to.


Some FAQs

  • Is cross-play supported? Yes, across all platforms.

  • What is the CrossWorld Portal System? A new mechanic letting racers jump between dimensions mid-race, altering track layouts and strategies.

  • Are all characters unlocked from the start? Not all. Some racers, vehicles, and cosmetics are earned through gameplay or DLC.

  • Will there be a Switch 2 upgrade? Yes! A free upgrade path is in development, "coming at a later date." 

  • Will there be ranked online play? Yes! alongside casual matchmaking and private lobbies.

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