Sonic's Iizuka On Minecraft's Steve and Travel Rings - IGN Live

Sonic Team lead Takashi Iizuka joined us at IGN Live to showcase new gameplay and explain why Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a must-play crossover kart racing experience.

Just one day after the Summer Game Fest unveiling confirmed guest appearances from Hatsune Miku, Like a Dragon's Ichiban Kasuga, Persona 5's Joker, and Minecraft's Steve, Alex, and Creeper, Iizuka shared insights into the selection process for these special characters.

"We wanted to ensure the second lap would be full of surprises, transporting players to realms they never imagined possible," Iizuka explained. "During brainstorming sessions, we realized that while exploring Sega IP worlds would be exciting, we could create even more impact by venturing into other intellectual properties. As we considered which universes would deliver the most engaging experiences, Minecraft and its beloved characters emerged as natural choices."

For newcomers to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the game features a unique three-lap structure that begins with a conventional first lap. The leading racer then selects a new racing environment through Travel Rings, transforming the competition for all participants.

"The three-lap system provides an excellent foundation for racing games," Iizuka noted. "Its intuitive nature makes it easily understandable, while the Travel Ring innovation prevents repetitive circuit racing by introducing unexpected environments in the second lap. We've further enhanced the experience by incorporating additional surprises during the final lap to maintain excitement throughout the entire race."

Our discussion turned to power-ups, where Iizuka expressed his appreciation for how Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds honors legacy Sonic racing titles through items like the Rocket Punch and Wisp abilities from Team Sonic Racing. He particularly highlighted the Monster Truck transformation as his personal favorite: "This upgrade lets you convert your vehicle into a monster truck and simply plow through opponents ahead of you."

Players can anticipate numerous features when Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on September 25, 2025, including the return of Sonic Riders' hoverboards, universal vehicle compatibility for all characters, 12-player online racing, and cross-platform multiplayer support.

The game will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Although it may release slightly later, Switch 2 owners will eventually join the racing action alongside more than 23 available characters.

Discover additional details in our Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds preview and explore comprehensive coverage of IGN Live events.