Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will buck third-party Switch 2 trend with full game on card
Sega has announced its forthcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds release will have the full game on the Switch 2 card, unlike many other third-party titles on Nintendo’s new console.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set for release across other consoles and PC in September, including the original Switch. The Switch 2 version will arrive digitally during this year’s holiday season, with the physical version launching “early 2026”.
Many third-party publishers have drawn ire from players for using Nintendo’s game-key cards for Switch 2 games – essentially containing a download key instead of the full game. That includes Sega’s already-released Sonic x Shadow Generations.
With Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, though, the company has u-turned. “The physical version will feature the full base game on the cartridge,” it said in a press release.
The game will cost £64.99 on Switch 2 for the standard edition, and £79.99 for the digital deluxe edition. That compares to £54.99 on the original Switch.
There will also be an upgrade pack for original Switch users, which will carry over progression to the Switch 2 version. An FAQ on the game’s website states this will be $10 (Eurogamer has asked for clarification on UK pricing), matching the difference between the consoles.
The news was shared along with a new trailer for the game, showing off its customisation options. Players will be able to tweak their vehicles to amend stats and weapon combos (known as gadgets), with Sega boasting over 70,000 unique combinations will be possible.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will release across PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and original Switch on 25th September. The game’s unique gimmick allows players to choose how tracks morph into others across each lap, hence its title. That extends to crossovers with other characters, including Joker from Persona 5 and Ichiban from the Like A Dragon games, as well as vocaloid artist Hatsune Miku and Steve from Minecraft.
Eurogamer’s Alex Donaldson stated the game “might be the most mechanically rich kart racer ever made” after going hands-on.
