Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds had two network tests in 2025: a PlayStation 5 Closed Network Test in February and a free, multi-platform Open Network Test from August 29 to September 2. Both have ended, and the full game launched September 25, 2025. Here are the dates, platforms, modes, and the racers SEGA announced.
Which Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds network test was announced?
SEGA announced the game and its first test on February 13, 2025. That test was a PlayStation 5 Closed Network Test (CNT), with applications scheduled for February 14–18 and the test itself set for 9:00 a.m. February 22 to 9:00 a.m. February 24, 2025, Japan Standard Time. It was intended as an early preview of online World Match and machine customization. SEGA listed an in-game sticker and title as participation bonuses. SEGA’s announcement
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch | $36.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Standard Edition - Nintendo Switch | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Playstation 5) | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - P4 | $59.95 | Buy on Amazon |
In August, SEGA announced a separate Open Network Test (ONT), which was free and available across more platforms. When readers ask about the game’s “beta,” they may mean either event; SEGA called them network tests.
How the two tests differed
| Test | Dates and time zone | Platforms | Modes and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed Network Test | February 22 at 9:00 a.m. to February 24 at 9:00 a.m., 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | PlayStation 5 | Online World Match and machine customization preview. Applications were scheduled February 14–18, 2025. |
| Open Network Test | August 29 at noon to September 2 at noon, 2025 (UTC+8) | PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games | Grand Prix and Time Trial offline; World Match and Joker Festival online. Entry was free. Nintendo Switch Online was required for online modes on Switch. |
The Open Network Test was designed to check online multiplayer and identify problems. SEGA warned that the game was still in development and could crash or have other issues. Progress did not carry over to the full game. SEGA said a PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online subscription was not needed simply to participate, while Switch players did need Nintendo Switch Online to access online modes. SEGA’s Open Network Test details
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
What happened during the Open Network Test?
The ONT included offline Grand Prix and Time Trial, as well as online World Match. Its limited Joker Festival ran from noon August 31 to noon September 1, 2025 (UTC+8), and let players race as Joker using his Arsène Wing machine.
SEGA also offered a participation bonus for the full game. Eligible participants had to launch the full game with the same account and on the same platform used for the test to claim the title and decals. The test itself ended September 2, 2025 (UTC+8); it is not an active route into the game now.
Rank #2
- 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 racers did SEGA reveal?
SEGA’s June 9, 2025 announcement confirmed the September 25 launch date and revealed additional racers. Subsequent announcements expanded the roster through updates and Season Pass content. SEGA’s launch and racer announcement
| Racers | How they were announced |
|---|---|
| Hatsune Miku, Joker, and Ichiban Kasuga | Free updates |
| Steve, Alex, and Creeper | Minecraft Season Pass Wave 1 |
| Nine, Rusty, and Dread | Season Pass content |
| AXEL | Free update announced for August 26, 2026 |
The original reveal described a roster that travels between courses using Travel Rings. A ring sends racers to a CrossWorld after the first lap, changing the setting for lap two; the final lap returns to the original course, where shortcuts, obstacles, Rings, items, and potentially Frenzy gates may differ. The game also features machine and gadget customization. SEGA’s first-look announcement
Rank #3
- Pre-order Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and receive the playable character Werehog, the Werehog vehicle "Beast Spike", and the Werehog Decal!
- Race across land, sea, air, space, and time in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn.
- Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate vehicle to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items to bring home the win!
- Gain the Advantage with Powerful Items! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- 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.
Is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds out now?
Yes. SEGA announced a September 25, 2025 release for the full game. The network tests were previews before launch, not current sign-up opportunities. For test participants, the important distinction is that race progress did not transfer, while the specified bonus title and decals could be claimed in the full game on the same account and platform.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
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