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If you want another kart racer after Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, choose based on your platform and the kind of racing you want: Mario Kart World is the direct Switch 2 alternative for familiar lap racing, Kirby Air Riders suits players curious about a less conventional format, and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is worth considering if its car-to-boat-to-plane racing is available for your system. There is no single best follow-up for every player.
What makes Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds different?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launched September 25, 2025, with its Steam and Epic Games Store versions launching September 26, according to SEGA. Its defining mechanic is the Travel Ring: racers pass into another world during a race, changing the track and race conditions. That mid-race shift is the main reason to pick CrossWorlds over a more conventional kart racer.
Nintendo’s product listing describes 24 tracks and 15 CrossWorlds, alongside 23 Sonic characters, 45 vehicles, 70 gadgets, and 23 items. SEGA says players can customize vehicle parts, colors, decals, and textures, with more than 70,000 machine combinations. These are publisher and store descriptions, not independent counts or tests. See Nintendo’s listing and SEGA’s product information.
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#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Which game should you play next?
| Game | Best fit | What sets it apart | Platform note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | Switch 2 players wanting a familiar kart-racing series | Its Free Roam mode gives it a different dimension beyond racing. A Tom’s Guide comparison discusses it alongside CrossWorlds, but its preference judgments are one reviewer’s opinion, not a consensus. | Included in a Switch 2 comparison; check the current listing for your region and edition. |
| Kirby Air Riders | Switch 2 players open to a less conventional racing format | City Trial is the distinctive mode highlighted in the same Tom’s Guide comparison. That characterization reflects one reviewer’s framing. | Included in a Switch 2 comparison; check the current listing for your region and edition. |
| Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed | Players looking for another SEGA racer with a pronounced vehicle mechanic | Vehicles transform between car, boat, and plane, changing how races play out. | PC Gamer includes it in its PC racing-game coverage, but that list is not a current compatibility database for all platforms or storefronts. Verify the version for your system. |
The Switch 2 comparison of Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Kirby Air Riders is available from Tom’s Guide. For the vehicle transformations in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, see PC Gamer’s PC racing-games list.
Choose by platform and play style
If you have a Nintendo Switch 2
Start with the distinction you care about most. Choose Mario Kart World if you want a recognizable kart-racing series and its Free Roam mode; choose Kirby Air Riders if a less conventional structure and City Trial sound appealing. Both are discussed as alternatives to CrossWorlds in the Switch 2 comparison, but that source does not establish an objective winner.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
If you want to stay with Sonic
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed gives you a concrete change of pace through its shifting car, boat, and plane vehicles. Team Sonic Racing and Sonic Riders are also part of the wider Sonic racing series named by Tom’s Guide, but their current platform availability and mode details are not established here. Check the specific storefront before choosing either.
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If local or online multiplayer matters most
CrossWorlds has clearly described local and online options on Nintendo’s listing, and SEGA says online play includes cross-play among supported platforms. For any alternative, check its current platform listing for the number of local players, online group size, and whether cross-play is supported; those details are not established for every game here.
Rank #3
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
How to make the choice
- Confirm the platform first. Check the game’s current store listing for your console or PC storefront, region, and edition. A game appearing on one platform’s list does not establish compatibility with another.
- Decide whether you want familiar lap racing or a different structure. The Travel Ring is CrossWorlds’ signature shift; Free Roam distinguishes Mario Kart World, City Trial stands out in Kirby Air Riders, and vehicle transformation defines Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
- Check how you will play with others. Compare local-player capacity and online group size in the relevant edition’s listing. Do not assume that multiplayer limits or cross-play carry over between platforms.
- Choose the hook you are most curious about. Franchise characters, world-changing tracks, free roaming, City Trial, and transforming vehicles offer different reasons to play; no cited comparison establishes one as best for everyone.
Availability and price
Store listings and compatibility can vary by region, edition, and platform, and the sources cited here do not establish live inventory or current prices. Confirm the current listing and platform requirements before buying.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Race through an interconnected world of courses spanning mountains, forests, and cities with dynamic weather patterns and day/night cycles.
- Experience intense 24-driver elimination races in Knockout Tour mode, where racers compete checkpoint by checkpoint until one champion remains.
- Master new racing techniques including rail riding, wall jumping, and water skimming to find the fastest route to victory.
- Explore the vast world at your own pace in Free Roam mode, discovering hidden surprises and alternate paths.
- Enhance your racing experience with magnetic Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessories, providing secure and realistic steering control.
Rank #4
- [SEAMLESS OPEN WORLD] Experience an interconnected racing environment with zero loading screens between courses. Navigate a massive world featuring 24-hour dynamic day/night cycles and shifting weather patterns that directly impact vehicle traction and handling across mountains and cities.
- [ADVANCED RACING MECHANICS] Master all-new maneuvers including high-speed rail riding, wall jumping, and tactical water skimming. These next-gen traversal abilities allow players to discover hidden shortcuts and alternate routes within a 100% seamless world-map architecture.
- [24-PLAYER ELIMINATION MODE] Compete in the high-stakes Knockout Tour, an adrenaline-packed 24-driver elimination mode where racers are removed checkpoint by checkpoint. Supports up to 24-player online multiplayer with integrated GameChat for real-time social coordination.
- [NEXT-GEN TECHNICAL SPECS] Optimized exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system to deliver stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution in docked mode and a locked 60FPS frame rate. Features enhanced texture mapping and global illumination for the most immersive visual experience in series history.
- [OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION] Step away from the Grand Prix in the all-new Free Roam mode to wander the world at your own pace. Discover hidden surprises, unlockable vehicle parts, and brand-new drivers across diverse biomes including dense forests and sprawling urban landscapes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
