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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe best alternative depends on your platform and what you want from a racer: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the clearest Switch party-racing pick, Mario Kart World is for Switch 2 owners who want connected courses and larger races, Team Sonic Racing puts Sonic characters into cooperative team racing, and Disney Speedstorm offers free-to-play character combat racing on Steam. None is a platform-for-platform replacement for CrossWorlds, so start with the system you own.
What makes Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds different?
SEGA launched Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on September 25, 2025. The Steam and Epic Games Store releases followed on September 26. SEGA also lists Nintendo Switch 2, with that version planned to follow the initial launch; check your regional store for current availability. SEGA’s platform and edition information
Its defining race twist is the Travel Ring: after the opening lap, racers travel to a CrossWorld for lap two, then return to the original course for the final lap. The changed route can introduce gates, shortcuts, obstacles, rings, and items. SEGA describes the game as having 23 Sonic-universe characters, more than 70 gadgets, and more than 70,000 possible machine combinations; those are publisher-stated feature counts, not independent measures of quality. SEGA’s feature overview
SEGA says World Match supports up to 12 players and crossplay. Its product information also lists one to four local players, with up to eight local players on Nintendo Switch. Nintendo UK’s listing gives 24 tracks and 15 CrossWorlds, and specifies one-to-four single-system, two-to-eight local wireless, and two-to-12 online players. That is a UK listing and may not match every regional store page. Nintendo UK’s CrossWorlds listing
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- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
Which alternative fits your platform?
| Game | Best fit | Platform and multiplayer notes | Access model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Switch owners seeking familiar party racing | Nintendo Switch; one-to-four on one system, two-to-eight local wireless, and two-to-12 online, according to Nintendo’s listing | Paid game; Nintendo Switch Online required for online play |
| Mario Kart World | Switch 2 owners seeking connected courses and larger races | Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive; Nintendo lists online races for two to 24 players | Paid game; Nintendo Switch Online required for online play |
| Team Sonic Racing | Sonic fans who want cooperative team strategy | Steam listing: 12 players per online race and four-player split screen; check your console’s store for platform-specific availability and details | Paid game on the cited Steam listing |
| Disney Speedstorm | Players drawn to Disney/Pixar characters and combat racing | Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer, online PvP, and shared/split screen; features and terms can differ by platform | Free to play on Steam; the Steam listing includes in-app purchases |
These are feature comparisons based on publisher and storefront descriptions, not a hands-on ranking of handling or performance. Current prices and availability vary by region and can change.
Best for Switch party racing: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe if you have a Nintendo Switch and want a well-established racer built around Mario characters, local multiplayer, and online tournaments. Nintendo lists several control options and handheld mode, plus compatibility with a Switch 2 update. Its player counts are distinct by mode: one to four players on a single system, two to eight through local wireless, and two to 12 online. Online play requires Nintendo Switch Online.
Rank #2
- CROSS-PLATFORM MULTIPLATER AND AUTOLOG: Bolt down the winding Seacrest County roads headfirst in racing that is socially competitive at its core, the ground-breaking Autolog connects you and your friends in head-to-head pursuits and races and instinctively delivers challenges based on your friends' activities, this highly dynamic system is fuelled by friendly competition and is now supported with cross-platform sync and new multiplayer gameplay so that you can race each other no matter what platform you are on
- EXOTIC CARS WITH WEAPONS: Drive the world's most desirable supercars on both sides of the law, bust suspects in supercharged cop interceptors enhanced with tactical weaponry, or level the playing field with counterattacks and defensive manoeuvres as an elite racer, strategize to gain an edge over the competition, no matter what side you're on
- CHASE AND ESCAPE: A deep and fully-defined single-player career delivers the action of both cops and racers, with a seamlessly linked multiplayer experience across all race modes, take on friends or play through the career solo to earn Bounty and unlock new cars, weapons, and equipment
- ENHANCED VISUALS: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered delivers a timeless racing experience updated for today's generation of hardware with enhanced visuals
- ALL MAIN DLC INCLUDED, PLUS MORE UPDATES: Get all main DLC delivered at launch including an extra six hours of gameplay and more than 30 challenges, brand new achievements, wraps, car colours, reduced hard stops, an updated photo mode and gallery, and multiple quality of life updates create an even more well-rounded gameplay experience this time around
It is a Switch title, not a cross-platform substitute for friends on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC. The Nintendo store page is the right place to check current regional availability and compatibility details.
Best for Switch 2 and bigger races: Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Nintendo highlights courses connected across an open world, a Free Roam mode, and races supporting up to 24 drivers. Its listing says online play supports two to 24 players, with Nintendo Switch Online required for online play.
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- The criminal racing organization SH1FT3R has returned and they're racing for the ultimate prize - An Invisible, untraceable high-tech vehicle.
- It takes more than speed to win this combat racing challenge. Armed with 15 spy Gear weapons inspired by the Netflix original Series, you'll need to Blast past your rivals to earn victory.
- Show the whole world you're the fastest, coolest, and most talented racer! Customize your vehicle with unlockable Skins and race against online opponents, ai-controlled drivers, and Your friends with couch co-op and online multiplayer.
Pick it if you own Switch 2 and the appeal is exploring connected environments or racing in a larger field. It is not an option for original Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or PC owners.
Best Sonic alternative for team cooperation: Team Sonic Racing
Team Sonic Racing keeps the Sonic cast but changes the emphasis: its central mechanic is racing as a team, sharing power-ups and speed boosts rather than treating each racer as an entirely independent competitor. That makes it a better fit for players who want cooperation and coordinated play than for someone seeking CrossWorlds’ Travel Ring structure.
Rank #4
- Drive a range of thrilling and beautiful cars from the world's best manufacturers: Mercedes, BMW, McLaren, Pagani, Bugatti and more
- Show off your driving skills in over 200 unique tracks through varied environments (seaside, mountain, desert, etc.)
- Customize and improve vehicles to your unique taste, increasing their speed and power
- Challenge Rival drivers in Derby mode
- Compete on off-road tracks in rally mode, where Drift will be essential to win the race
SEGA’s Steam listing advertises 12 players per online race, four-player split screen, vehicle customization, and a story mode. Those figures describe the Steam listing; check the store page for the platform you plan to use before relying on matching features or availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best free-to-play option on Steam: Disney Speedstorm
Disney Speedstorm is free to play on Steam and centers on Disney and Pixar characters with character-specific skills and combat racing. Gameloft’s storefront description also highlights drifting, kart customization, and local and online multiplayer. Steam lists online PvP, shared/split screen, cross-platform multiplayer, and in-app purchases.
Best Value
- 2 player split-screen and 8 player online mode
- Compete in various modes like Supercross, Nationals, Opencross, Waypoint and more
- Master insane stunts and test your limits in Freestyle mode
- Turn your private compound into a show room for the all of your customized vehicles
- Upgrade and tune your vehicles with original performance parts
It is the strongest fit here if free entry and the character roster matter more to you than a Sonic setting. Free-to-play does not mean every platform has identical terms: the cited access model and features are from Steam, so review the relevant console storefront before downloading there.
How to choose by the feature you want
- For local Switch play: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has clearly listed single-system and local-wireless modes. CrossWorlds also lists local play, with Nintendo’s UK page distinguishing single-system, wireless, and online player counts.
- For the largest stated online field: Nintendo lists up to 24 online drivers for Mario Kart World; this requires Switch 2. CrossWorlds supports up to 12 in World Match, and Team Sonic Racing’s Steam page advertises 12-player online races.
- For online play across platforms: CrossWorlds supports crossplay according to SEGA, and Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer for Disney Speedstorm. Check current platform-specific terms and player pools before buying or installing.
- For team play: Team Sonic Racing is the purpose-built choice because cooperation and shared boosts are its defining race structure.
- For a changing course within a race: CrossWorlds’ Travel Rings shift the second lap to another world. Mario Kart World takes a different approach with connected courses and Free Roam.
- For character combat: Disney Speedstorm’s Steam description emphasizes character skills and combat racing.
Buying and online-play details to check
Online requirements depend on the platform. Nintendo’s CrossWorlds and Mario Kart listings say Nintendo Switch Online is required for online modes; check the relevant PlayStation, Xbox, or PC storefront for its current requirements. Player counts also describe different things: split screen is local play, local wireless connects nearby systems, and online counts apply over the network.
For CrossWorlds, SEGA describes the Digital Deluxe Edition as including the base game and Season Pass, whose content includes additional racers, courses, and machines. Do not assume a physical Standard Edition includes that DLC. Nintendo’s UK listing identifies the Switch Game Card, while SEGA has described a planned Switch 2 packaged version using a game card. Edition contents, packaging, stock, and release details can vary by region, so verify the exact product listing before purchase. SEGA’s edition details · Nintendo UK’s product listing
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
