Why Sonic Uses a Car in Racing Games: Sonic Team Explains the Choice for Nintendo Switch with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

When a new Sonic racing game is announced, long-time fans and newcomers alike often ask the same question: Why does Sonic the Hedgehog—famously one of the fastest characters in video game history—race in a car at all? With the upcoming release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on the Nintendo Switch, that discussion has resurfaced within the gaming community.

Developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to launch for Nintendo Switch on September 25, with additional platforms, including the anticipated Switch 2, coming later. Sonic Team's head, Takashi Tezuka, recently addressed this recurring topic, offering a clear rationale behind the creative direction.

In an interview, Tezuka explained that the decision centers on the spirit of competition and fun that defines Sonic as a character.

According to Tezuka, Sonic chooses to race in a car not out of necessity, but because it levels the playing field and ensures a more exciting, competitive experience with his friends.

If Sonic were to race on foot, his super speed would make the outcome predictable and the competition far less engaging for everyone involved. In a recent conversation with Shacknews, Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka elaborated further, stating, "Sonic genuinely enjoys engaging in fun, competitive activities.

Racing against his friends is only enjoyable if everyone has a fair shot, and because Sonic would outpace everyone on foot, putting him in a car creates a more balanced, entertaining contest.

The whole idea is for Sonic, and by extension the players, to enjoy the thrill of the race." While SEGA's social media and PR representative Aaron Webber touched on this topic previously, this statement from Sonic Team's leadership marks the most direct explanation to date.

The concept has now been reinforced directly by those guiding the franchise. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will feature Sonic and his iconic friends competing in high-speed car races across a variety of tracks, taking full advantage of the Nintendo Switch hardware and its online capabilities.

The game is slated to arrive on the Nintendo eShop, further expanding Sonic's storied history on Nintendo platforms—a legacy that spans multiple generations and entries, including previous racing titles such as Team Sonic Racing. With clear messaging from Sonic Team, fans now have a definitive answer: Sonic races in a car simply because it enhances the competitive spirit and fun, ensuring every race is thrilling not just for the Blue Blur, but for the entire cast—and most importantly, for the players themselves.

As anticipation builds for the September launch of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on Nintendo Switch, both seasoned Sonic fans and racing aficionados can look forward to a balanced and exhilarating experience.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Sonic Team Switch Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Sonic Takashi Tezuka Tezuka Team Sonic SEGA Sonic Racing CrossWorlds