September 26, 2025
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Off to a Hot Start in Rivalry with Mario Kart World Sega’s latest Sonic kart racer launches strong with glowing reviews, but can it really rival Nintendo’s juggernaut franchise?
The battle for kart racing supremacy just got more intense. Sega’s Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, billed as a direct competitor to Mario Kart World, has stormed onto the scene with an impressive debut. Released on September 25, 2025, the game is already earning rave reviews from both fans and critics while fueling its rivalry with Nintendo’s iconic franchise.
🎮 Sega Takes Shots at Mario Kart
Even before launch, Sonic Team wasn’t shy about poking fun at its rival. Back in June, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka criticized Mario Kart World’s exclusivity on Nintendo Switch, promising that CrossWorlds would fully support cross-platform play.
The rivalry didn’t stop there — Sega even aired a cheeky ad mocking Mario Kart World’s free-roam mode, showing they’re willing to lean into direct competition with Nintendo’s flagship kart racer.
⭐ Player Reception and Reviews
Early numbers suggest that Sega’s gamble might be paying off.
- CrossWorlds has peaked at over 13,000 concurrent Steam players (via SteamDB).
- The game holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam.
- On OpenCritic, it boasts an average score of 83/100, with critics praising its fast-paced, adrenaline-heavy racing.
It’s also charting as one of Steam’s bestsellers, hinting at strong early financial success for Sega.
📊 How It Stacks Against Mario Kart
Despite the strong debut, Mario Kart World remains a giant. Since launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo’s racer has sold around 6 million copies on just one platform. Meanwhile, CrossWorlds’ official sales figures haven’t been released, but it’s unlikely to match Mario Kart’s massive install base.
For context:
- The Mario Kart franchise has sold hundreds of millions of copies over the decades.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe alone has surpassed 70 million copies sold.
- By contrast, past Sonic kart titles like Team Sonic Racing are estimated to have sold around 4 million copies.
🏁 Two Kart Racers, Two Strengths
While comparisons are inevitable, many players who’ve tried both titles agree that each brings something unique to the track:
- Mario Kart World: shines with its exploration-driven free-roam mode and classic Nintendo charm.
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: delivers high-speed, arcade-style racing that leans into Sonic’s legacy of speed.
In the end, the rivalry might be great news for fans, as it pushes both franchises to innovate and deliver fresh racing experiences.
⚡ Final Thoughts
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds may not dethrone Mario Kart overnight, but its glowing reviews, strong launch numbers, and bold marketing prove Sega is serious about kart racing. Whether you prefer the thrill of speed or the joy of exploration, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for kart racing fans.