Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Beta Announced for Nintendo Switch Ahead of Gamescom 2025

SEGA has officially announced an open beta for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, its much-anticipated kart racing title, set to launch on all major platforms with special emphasis on the Nintendo Switch.

This announcement coincides with Gamescom 2025, one of the largest gaming industry events worldwide, further ramping up excitement for Sonic fans and racing enthusiasts alike. The Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds open beta is scheduled to begin on August 28, 2025, at 9:01 PM PT (August 29, 12:01 AM ET) and will be available until September 1, closing at 8:59 PM PT (11:59 PM ET).

During this beta period, players on Nintendo Switch and other supported platforms will have a chance to experience high-speed multiplayer racing and preview new gameplay features before the official launch. In a press statement, SEGA described the open beta as an opportunity for fans to get hands-on with "twelve iconic Sonic characters and sixteen dynamic courses, featuring both main and CrossWorlds tracks." Players will be able to equip and experiment with 42 different gadgets, allowing for strategic customization and varied racing experiences.

Competitive racers can take on challengers from around the world in online multiplayer, with SEGA hinting at "additional surprises" to be unveiled during the event. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is designed to push the boundaries of kart racing with its unique Travel Rings mechanic—a gameplay feature that warps racers through new dimensions, drastically altering the track and race dynamics mid-game.

The game offers 24 different tracks and lets players explore 15 distinct CrossWorlds, delivering an ever-changing competitive landscape.

The title also boasts an extensive character roster, allowing selection from 23 legendary figures from the Sonic universe, reportedly the largest selection in any Sonic racing game to date. Customization plays a central role, with players able to mix and match 45 original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to craft a racing machine tailored to their preferred style of play.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds also introduces 23 powerful items, including fan-favorite power-ups and new additions like the Monster Truck, amplifying on-track chaos and excitement. The game supports multiple modes, including offline and online competitions, local split-screen Grand Prix, a new party mode titled Race Park, and time trial challenges.

Up to 12 players can race together online in the World Match mode, fostering a vibrant community of competitive gamers on the Nintendo Switch and beyond. Following the open beta, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set for an official release on September 25, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, with a dedicated Switch 2 version confirmed to arrive subsequently.

With new gameplay innovations, a robust feature set, and strong backing from SEGA, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is poised to become a standout entry in the kart racing genre for Switch and multi-platform audiences.

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