Sonic Racing’s Shifting Playbook: Gadgets, Drifts, and the Fade of World Match

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds has entered a pivotal phase ahead of its September 25, 2025, release, with the Open Network Test (ONT) concluding and a single-player demo set to launch in mid-September. The ONT, which offered players an extended look at the game’s mechanics, revealed significant improvements in gameplay and item balancing compared to earlier test phases. Feedback from players highlighted the game’s refined drifting system, which allows for tighter turns and greater customization through a robust gadget system. These gadgets, which players can equip to modify their racing experience, have been praised for adding depth without overwhelming the core gameplay.

The ONT also introduced the Joker Festival, a special event mode that replaced the standard online multiplayer with a team-based format. This mode was lauded for introducing dynamic race rules that changed every 30 minutes, encouraging strategic play. Despite its popularity, the event drew criticism for overshadowing the traditional World Match mode, prompting concerns among players about the future of such features in the full release.

In terms of performance, the game has been tested across a range