Sonic Racing Ad Takes Aim at Mario Kart

The latest advertisement for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is turning heads, not for its gameplay footage or cinematic sequences, but for its overt reference to Mario Kart. Read on to discover the clever nods in the video and what to expect from the upcoming Sonic racing game!

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Takes a Playful Jab at Mario Kart in New Trailer

Sonic Racing Invites Players to "Race on Our Level"

A new promotional clip for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds recently debuted on the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter (X) account, drawing applause from fans for its lighthearted yet unmistakable taunts aimed at the Mario Kart series.

The 30-second spot opens with an old flat-screen TV showing blocky, pixelated gameplay, as a bored-sounding narrator remarks, "We all know that classic kart racer. It’s great—no need to show it to you again."

The scene then transitions into fast-paced gameplay and cinematic sequences from Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, intercut with shots of a real race car equipped with a modern display mounted on the back. Through a series of rhetorical questions, the voiceover highlights key features of the new racer—like interdimensional travel and deep vehicle customization—and prompts players to "race on a whole new level."

Right after that, viewers see a tortoise trudging alongside a worn-out RV. An old television—presumably showing Mario Kart—is clumsily attached to the rear bumper. The narrator’s tone turns noticeably flat as he asks, "What if you just want to cruise the open road?"—a clear poke at Mario Kart World's newly introduced open-world gameplay.

Whether intended as a spirited jab at a longtime rival or a bold claim of superiority, the advertisement has clearly struck a chord. Gamers flooded the comments to support Sonic and share their excitement for the release. Even those not typically interested in racing games praised the spot, welcoming the comeback of cheeky, head-to-head marketing reminiscent of earlier gaming eras.

Sonic Racing vs. Mario Kart

For years, the Mario Kart series has dominated the kart racing genre, leaving fans eager for a worthy competitor. With the September 25 launch approaching, many are hopeful that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will finally provide a real challenge to Nintendo's flagship racer.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will debut with 24 main tracks and 15 CrossWorlds—alternate track sections that players can warp into during a race. By comparison, Mario Kart World, released in June, currently offers 30 tracks.

When it comes to racer rosters, Mario Kart World boasts an impressive 50 playable characters, while Sonic's entry starts with 23. The gap may seem large, but it's worth noting that only 24 of Mario’s roster are core characters—the rest are creatures and common enemies like Monty Moles and Goombas.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, on the other hand, focuses primarily on named heroes and villains from the Sonic universe at launch, with the Egg Pawn being the only generic character included. SEGA has also confirmed crossover collaborations, with Hatsune Miku, PAC-MAN, Spongebob Squarepants, Minecraft’s Steve, and others set to join via future DLC. In contrast, Mario Kart World producer Kosuke Yabuki has dismissed the idea of adding third-party characters, calling them "incongruous" and "unnecessary."

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on September 25, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. Stay informed with all the latest updates on SEGA’s new kart racer by checking out our coverage below!