Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Expands Free Sega Character Roster, Adds NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle & Whisper

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the dynamic kart racing title from Sega, continues to bolster its reputation for exciting crossover events and post-launch support.

The game, currently available on the Nintendo Switch and other major platforms, has made headlines with a fresh lineup of free Sega crossover characters revealed during the recent State of Play Japan livestream. Already praised for its robust roster and lively race tracks, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is doubling down on fan-favorite content.

Sega announced that familiar faces NiGHTS, AiAi from Super Monkey Ball, and the popular Sonic IDW Comics duo Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf are all scheduled to join the game as part of a series of free updates. "Fans can expect a new wave of beloved characters and vehicles over the coming months," Sega stated in its live broadcast, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to expanding the game’s content at no extra cost to players.

According to official channels, the rollout will proceed as follows: - NiGHTS from the iconic NiGHTS into Dreams series will become available in December 2025, piloting the unique Dream Sleeper vehicle. - AiAi, the banana-loving hero from Super Monkey Ball, joins the race in January 2026 with his signature Banana Cruiser kart. - Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf, who first appeared in IDW Publishing’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series and have since become fan favorites, will make their console debut as a duo in February 2026. Tangle and Whisper’s appearance is particularly noteworthy, as it marks their first time joining a console Sonic racing title.

While the characters have previously been featured in select mobile games, this update represents a significant milestone for comic fans and character supporters alike. In addition to free character content, Sega has confirmed the upcoming launch of premium SpongeBob SquarePants downloadable content, set to arrive on November 19, 2025.

The paid expansion will introduce SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star as playable racers, alongside the Patty Wagon vehicle and a new Bikini Bottom track.

This multi-franchise collaboration fits right in with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’ tradition of blending familiar worlds for an all-ages audience. Since its debut, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has drawn acclaim for its vibrant visuals, creative crossovers, and commitment to expanding its universe through both free and paid updates.

The game is available now on Nintendo Switch via the eShop, as well as on additional platforms, ensuring a wide audience can enjoy these upcoming additions. For the latest updates, fans can follow the official @RaceCrossWorlds account on X (formerly Twitter) or visit Sega’s website for more details.

With a steady pipeline of new racers and stages, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds continues to solidify its place among top kart racers while celebrating Sega’s expansive legacy.

Sega Xbox Series X|S Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Sonic SpongeBob SquarePants NiGHTS SpongeBob CrossWorlds Xbox X|S Sonic Racing AiAi Tangle & Whisper Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Tangle Whisper Nintendo Switch Sonic the Hedgehog IDW Comics Super Monkey Ball Patrick State of Play Japan