Exciting Update: 2025’s Top Kart Racer Welcomes a New Free Character!

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds made a strong bid for the kart racing crown last year. While Mario Kart World left some players wanting with its lackluster open world and lengthy straightaways, CrossWorlds delivered a classic kart racing experience with fast-paced action. In a year packed with excellent kart racers, it became my go-to choice, especially with its consistent stream of new characters. Many of these were added for free, and this approach will continue into the game’s second year of updates.

Bayonetta, the iconic heroine from Sega’s fantasy action series, is set to join Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds as a free character. She’ll be the first addition for Year Two, although a specific release date hasn’t been announced yet. A new trailer showcases her riding her signature Butterfly Witch boost machine, along with piloting vehicles inspired by Godzilla and King Ghidorah—because why not? More information about Bayonetta, the paid Godzilla pack, and additional Year Two content is anticipated during the World Championship Finals and Year Two Showcase livestream on October 9.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launched with a roster filled with characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog universe, but it has steadily expanded through crossovers and free additions from other Sega franchises. Here’s a list of all the free characters added so far:

We’re huge fans of Sonic’s latest racing adventure. “Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a vibrant, digital spectacle, an exhilarating rush of pure, unfiltered gaming,” noted a review.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is currently available on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

The console wars may have evolved beyond blast processing, but Sega is still taking its shots.