Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Arrives on Switch 2 With Physical Release

I’ve been waiting for this one. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, a game that quietly became a solid contender in the kart racing scene, is finally getting a physical release for the Nintendo Switch 2. I played the digital version when it launched last year, and while it didn't make a huge splash, it offered a compelling alternative to the more simplified, albeit polished, experience of Mario Kart World. The digital version for the Switch 2 arrived about a month ago, and now we have a firm date for the physical release: March 26.

Sega, via VGC, announced the release on January 13, confirming the $69.99/ £64.99 price point, which matches the digital version. The big news for collectors and physical media enthusiasts is that the complete base game will be on a cartridge, not a game key card. This has been a point of contention for some, with a vocal part of the gaming community pushing back against third-party releases that aren't fully contained on the physical media. While developers have argued that game-key cards allow for true physical releases while bypassing the data streaming limitations of Switch cartridges, the move to a full cartridge for CrossWorlds is a welcome one. It’s worth noting that patches and content updates will still require downloads, but having the base game on the cart is a significant win. This decision is likely to give the game's sales another boost, as many, including myself, were holding out for a physical copy to add to our collections.

Since its initial release in September 2025, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has seen a steady stream of new content. Free crossover characters have included the unexpected but delightful Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona, Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon, and the cult-classic character NiGHTS. The paid content has been just as eclectic, featuring Pac-Man, Minecraft characters, and even SpongeBob SquarePants. Looking ahead, we can expect to see characters from Mega Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar: The Last Airbender joining the roster. The game's director, Masaru Kohayakawa, has hinted at even more surprises for the 2026 season, promising to deliver content that will exceed the excitement of the game's launch.

“We plan to deliver content throughout the 2026 season, but we’ve also prepared even more surprises than at launch.”— Masaru Kohayakawa

The game has been well-received, with many praising its satisfying handling, creative portal mechanic, and extensive customization options. It has been positioned as a more traditional kart racing experience, especially as Nintendo has taken a new direction with Mario Kart World. While some have noted that the weapons could be more impactful, CrossWorlds stands as a strong and genuine alternative in the genre.

Read also, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds review: game arrives with the weight of expectation, attempting to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the titans of the kart racing genre while carving out a unique space of its own.

Sega’s latest racer doesn’t just lean on nostalgia with a star-studded roster and classic tracks—it introduces inventive mechanics, an expansive customization system, and a well-designed gameplay loop that makes it more than just another kart racer. The ambition behind it is clear, and the result is a game that consistently feels fast, fluid, and satisfying to play.