SpongeBob Joins Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds as Sega Reveals Nickelodeon Collaboration

image: SpongeBob Joins Sonic Racing CrossWorlds

Sega has officially confirmed a major Nickelodeon collaboration for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, bringing SpongeBob SquarePants into the game alongside a growing roster of high-profile guest characters.

The announcement comes on the heels of an already exciting reveal earlier this month, when Sega confirmed crossover characters like Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga from Yakuza, Joker from Persona 5, and even Steve, Alex, and the Creeper from Minecraft as part of the game’s expanding universe. 

With the Nickelodeon collaboration now in the mix, CrossWorlds is shaping up to be more than just a kart racer—it's a pop culture crossover celebration.

As part of this collaboration, players will get two racers, SpongeBob and Patrick, their iconic Patty Wagon, a Krabby Patty-shaped vehicle, as well as the Bikini Bottom race course.

Image: SpongeBob x Sonic Racing CrossWorlds content

And that’s not all—Sega teased even more to come, including content based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

These additions are part of the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes a Season Pass. According to details shared on the game’s official website, the pass includes all first-wave DLC content—such as the Minecraft & SpongeBob racers and vehicles—and 4 yet-to-be-unveiled collaborations. Players who pick up this edition will also receive three Sonic Prime racers (Nine, Dread, Rusty Rose), while the Werehog is available as a pre-order bonus.

Image: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds DLC Lineup

The game is set to launch on September 25 and was first shown during this year’s Summer Game Fest, where Sega confirmed that CrossWorlds will release on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This naturally positions the game as a direct rival to Mario Kart World, a Switch 2 exclusive that, unlike Sega’s title, has so far stayed within the Nintendo character roster. That could reignite the classic Mario vs. Sonic rivalry, but this time on the racetrack.

Sega has also revealed that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will eventually feature a massive lineup of over 60 playable characters when DLC and free post-launch updates are included. The Season Pass will reportedly offer 15 collab racers in total, with five already revealed (Steve, Alex, the Creeper, SpongeBob, and Patrick).

In addition to that, 13 racers will be introduced as free updates, with three already confirmed (Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga, Joker).

Image: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Racer roster (5/15 in collab, 3/13 free post-launch, 1 bonus, 3 season pass and 12/28 main game racers)

While specific details for the TMNT and Avatar content remain under wraps, Sega has promised more information will be shared closer to launch.

What’s clear, however, is that CrossWorlds is banking heavily on nostalgia, fan-favorite franchises, and cross-media collaborations to carve out a spot in the crowded kart racing genre.

Image credit: SEGA