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Neither game is the better buy for every player. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe suits players who want an established race-and-battle format, Smart Steering for newer racers, and a large optional course expansion. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds suits players who want races that change partway through, deep vehicle and gadget customization, and availability across consoles and PC. The right choice also depends on which Nintendo hardware you own, because that changes what you would actually be buying.
Start with your hardware and edition
Check your console before comparing features. Platform support and edition details differ, and some of the information below is tied to a specific system and date.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch and Switch 2
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released on Nintendo Switch on April 28, 2017. Nintendo’s listing says the game is supported on Switch 2 and describes a free Switch 2 update that improves visuals and loading speed and allows up to eight players in local multiplayer on one system. Owners of the original Switch should not assume the Switch 2 local-play figure applies to their system.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on every platform
SEGA announced CrossWorlds for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The game was later expanded to Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s Switch listing gives a September 25, 2025 release date and lists Switch 2 compatibility as supported. Because the game spans several platforms, the local and online limits can differ by system, so check the listing for the exact console you plan to use.
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![Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517O3bI45YL._SL160_.jpg)
- Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses
- Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return
- Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.
- Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc
How the races play differently
Travel Rings change the course mid-race
CrossWorlds’ defining feature is the Travel Ring. According to SEGA, the race runs three laps. After the first lap, racers pass through a Travel Ring into a CrossWorld for the second lap, and the final lap returns to the original course. The transformed section can introduce shortcuts, obstacles, items, and other changes, so the same track can play differently from lap to lap. SEGA’s September 25, 2025 release announcement puts it this way: “The game’s biggest feature is the introduction of Travel Rings, which transport players from one world to another, completely shaking up each race.” That is the publisher’s own description rather than an independent assessment.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe keeps the familiar structure
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers races across varied environments, several control options, item use, and a revamped battle mode. Nintendo highlights Smart Steering as an assist for new racers and lists 200cc Time Trials for players who want a harder challenge. If you value a structure most players already know, this is the more predictable option. Nintendo’s official pages do not establish which game is easier overall, so treat Smart Steering as a feature for beginners rather than proof of a simpler game.
Battle modes
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s battle mode is described by Nintendo as revamped. The publisher descriptions for CrossWorlds reviewed here do not describe a dedicated battle mode, so check its current mode list before buying if battle play is a priority.
Multiplayer, online play, and cross-play
Both games support local and online multiplayer. On Nintendo Switch, online play for both titles requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership, according to Nintendo’s listings. The table below shows the player limits Nintendo and SEGA list for each game.
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Rank #2
- Nuevos personajes: Inkling, Rey Boo, Huesitos y Bowsy
- Inclusi n de circuitos in ditos en el modo batalla
- Los pilotos cuentan con el volante inteligente, que ayuda a no salirse de la pista
- Hasta 8 pilotos en partidas de multijugador local
| Feature | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds |
|---|---|---|
| One-system play | 1 to 4 players on the standard Nintendo listing | 1 to 4 players on Nintendo’s Switch listing |
| Local wireless | 2 to 8 players on the standard Nintendo listing; up to 8 players on one system with the Switch 2 update | 2 to 8 players on Nintendo’s Switch listing |
| Online | 2 to 12 players on the standard Nintendo listing | 2 to 12 players on Nintendo’s Switch listing |
| Cross-play | Not stated in Nintendo’s listing | SEGA describes cross-play across supported platforms |
| Online requirement on Switch | Nintendo Switch Online membership | Nintendo Switch Online membership |
If you plan to play with friends on different platforms, CrossWorlds is the only one of the two with a stated cross-platform play option. If you mainly play in one room on Switch, the local limits are similar for both games on the standard listings.
Content, customization, and expansion
Customization in CrossWorlds
CrossWorlds centers part of its appeal on vehicle and gadget customization. The publisher figures differ by source, and they are feature counts from Nintendo and SEGA rather than independent measurements. They should not be combined into one total.
- Nintendo’s CrossWorlds listing describes 23 Sonic characters, 45 original vehicles, 70 gadgets, and 23 items.
- SEGA describes more than 70 gadgets and more than 70,000 vehicle combinations, a figure that reflects how many setups the parts can form rather than a count of individual parts.
More customization does not automatically make a game better. It mainly matters if you enjoy tuning your setup before a race.
Content and expansion for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The Booster Course Pass is optional downloadable content for the base game. It adds 48 remastered courses and eight additional characters, and Nintendo says all 48 added courses are available. Nintendo lists access through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership or a separate purchase, and its official page showed the pass as free for Expansion Pack members. The pass is not a separate physical game and does not work without the base game.
Rank #3
- Included is the following: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch Game, 2x PremGear Steering Driving Wheels to use with your Joy-Con Controllers (NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SWITCH 2), PremGear 24 Slot Game card Case/Holder with 2 Slot MicroSD Memory Card Adapter and PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
- RACE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8. Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses
- Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return
- Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.!
- Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc
Content and expansion for CrossWorlds
SEGA describes CrossWorlds Digital Deluxe as including the base game and Season Pass. Nintendo’s Switch listing shows the Season Pass alongside individual crossover DLC packs, and some of those packs are priced separately. Before buying, confirm which edition includes which DLC rather than assuming every guest character or course is part of the base game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the games cost right now
Prices change often and vary by region, so check the store page on the day you buy. The figures below were the most recent ones available for this article.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Nintendo’s official page showed $59.99 USD for the digital base game, $24.99 USD for the Booster Course Pass, and $84.98 USD for the base game plus the pass, when checked in 2026.
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (US): A current US price was not established from the official pages reviewed, so confirm it on your platform’s store before buying.
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Japan): SEGA’s June 2025 announcement listed ¥6,990 (tax included) for the standard Switch version and ¥7,990 for Digital Deluxe. These were launch prices for Japan and do not indicate current prices elsewhere.
Choosing by priority
Use your main priority to decide. The table below summarizes the best fit for each priority, with the limits that apply.
| Your priority | Better fit | Limit to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Track changes that happen during a race | Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, through its Travel Rings | Whether the mid-race changes suit you is a matter of taste. |
| A familiar race-and-battle format with beginner assistance | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with Smart Steering and a revamped battle mode | Nintendo’s pages do not establish which game is easier overall. |
| More courses from the same franchise | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass | The 48 extra courses are paid or membership-based content. |
| Cross-platform online play | Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | Confirm that your platform and online service support the play mode you want. |
| Deep vehicle and gadget setup | Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | Publisher feature counts are not independent measurements. |
| Switch-only group play | Either game, depending on the features above | Local limits differ between the standard listings and the Switch 2 update, so check your console. |
What the available information cannot settle
Publisher listings and announcements do not establish which game handles better, runs more smoothly on equivalent hardware, has a larger active player base, or offers better value at current prices. Those questions need hands-on play or dated, attributed reviews. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are both worth considering, but the priorities in the table above are a better guide than a single winner.
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.
