Sega just revealed that Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is getting four more free characters over the next few months, and honestly, the lineup couldn’t be better. NiGHTS drops in December 2025, followed by Super Monkey Ball’s AiAi in January 2026, and wrapping up with Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf from the IDW Sonic comics in February 2026. All completely free, no strings attached.
The Free Character Lineup
The December update brings NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams, complete with the Dream Sleeper vehicle. This is a big deal for longtime Sega fans since NiGHTS has appeared in past Sonic racing titles but never quite like this. The character will be fully playable with unique stats and abilities that match the franchise’s dreamlike aesthetic.
January’s addition is AiAi from Super Monkey Ball, rolling in with the Banana Cruiser vehicle. AiAi brings that classic Sega charm and should offer a completely different racing style compared to the existing roster. Given how the game handles character-specific stats and abilities, expect some interesting movement quirks that reflect the Super Monkey Ball physics.
February closes out the free character wave with not one but two racers from the IDW Sonic the Hedgehog comics. Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf are fan favorites who’ve built a solid following since their comic debut. Their inclusion shows Sega is paying attention to what the community actually wants, not just pulling random characters from the archive.
SpongeBob and Patrick Join the Paid DLC
While the free updates are great, Sega is also dropping the SpongeBob SquarePants Pack on November 19, 2025. This paid DLC includes SpongeBob and Patrick as playable characters, the Patty Wagon vehicle, a Bikini Bottom themed course, new music tracks inspired by the show, and six emotes per character. It’s part of the game’s strategy of mixing free content with premium crossover packs.
The SpongeBob pack is just the beginning of the paid DLC roadmap. Season Pass holders can expect Pac-Man DLC in Q1 2026, Mega Man content in Q2 2026, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plus Avatar Legends content dropping in Q3 2026. Sega is clearly going all-in on the crossover angle after fan disappointment with Team Sonic Racing’s lack of guest characters.
What Makes CrossWorlds Different
If you haven’t jumped into Sonic Racing CrossWorlds yet, the core hook is the Travel Ring mechanic. During each race, after the first lap, the lead racer picks between two giant ring portals that transport everyone to a completely different track called a CrossWorld. The second lap happens in this alternate dimension before everyone warps back to the original course for lap three, but with major changes to the layout.
The game lets you choose between standard transforming race cars (which shift between land, sea, and air vehicles like Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed) or Extreme Gear hoverboards from the Sonic Riders series. Characters aren’t locked to specific vehicles anymore, so you can mix and match based on your preferred stats and playstyle.
There’s also a surprisingly deep Gadget system that works almost like RPG equipment. Before races, you equip Gadgets that modify your vehicle stats, improve drift performance, increase ring capacity, or grant special starting items like Warp Rings that teleport you on top of the racer ahead. Each Gadget Panel has six slots in a two-by-three grid, and gadgets take up one to three slots, turning pre-race prep into a mini puzzle game.
The Game’s Reception
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds launched on September 25, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Reviews have been mostly positive, with critics praising the tight handling model and high skill ceiling that emerges once you get past the initial chaos. IGN gave it a strong review after 35+ hours, highlighting the excellent track design and customization depth.
The main criticism has been around the Grand Prix mode feeling repetitive and the paid DLC characters lacking voice acting due to licensing approval complications. Some players also find the power-up balance overwhelming, though Sega made adjustments after beta feedback. Still, the core racing mechanics have won people over, with some outlets claiming it beats Mario Kart World thanks to superior handling and more addictive gameplay hooks.
Switch 2 Version Coming December
A Nintendo Switch 2 version launches on December 4, 2025, with improved framerates, better resolution, and optimizations for Nintendo’s new hardware. There’s a paid upgrade path for existing Switch owners that carries over progress, currently discounted 50% at $5 instead of $10. Physical Switch 2 copies will follow in early 2026.
The timing lines up perfectly with the free character rollout, meaning Switch 2 players will be able to grab NiGHTS almost immediately after the console version drops. It’s a smart move by Sega to keep momentum going across multiple platform launches.
Why the Free Updates Matter
These free character drops aren’t just goodwill gestures. They’re essential for keeping the player base engaged between paid DLC releases. Games like this live or die based on active player counts, especially for online multiplayer. By spacing out free content every month or two, Sega gives lapsed players reasons to jump back in without asking them to open their wallets.
The character choices also show smart curation. NiGHTS and AiAi are beloved Sega deep cuts that appeal to nostalgic fans, while Tangle and Whisper bring in the comic-reading crowd that’s been growing steadily over the past few years. It’s a mix of legacy appeal and current relevance that should satisfy multiple demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new free characters release for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds?
NiGHTS arrives in December 2025, AiAi from Super Monkey Ball drops in January 2026, and Tangle and Whisper from the IDW Sonic comics launch in February 2026. All characters are completely free updates.
Do I need the Season Pass to get NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle, and Whisper?
No, these four characters are free for all players regardless of whether you own the Season Pass. They’re separate from the paid DLC characters like SpongeBob, Patrick, Pac-Man, and Mega Man.
When does the SpongeBob DLC release?
The SpongeBob SquarePants Pack launches on November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET. It includes SpongeBob and Patrick as playable characters, the Patty Wagon vehicle, a Bikini Bottom course, themed music tracks, and character emotes.
What platforms is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds available on?
The game is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch 2 version launches December 4, 2025.
Is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds cross-platform?
Yes, the game supports cross-platform online multiplayer for up to 12 players. You can race against friends regardless of which platform they’re on.
What other DLC characters are planned?
Season Pass holders will get Pac-Man DLC in Q1 2026, Mega Man DLC in Q2 2026, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plus Avatar Legends content in Q3 2026. The game also previously added Joker from Persona 5 and Ichiban from Like a Dragon as free characters.
Do DLC characters have voice acting?
No, guest characters from outside the Sonic franchise don’t have voice acting due to the complex approval processes required when working with external licensors. Sega prioritized getting the characters into the game over lengthy voice licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is shaping up to be one of the most content-rich kart racers in recent memory. The steady stream of free characters keeps the game fresh without fragmenting the player base behind paywalls, while the paid DLC offers enough variety for fans who want even more crossover chaos. With NiGHTS, AiAi, Tangle, and Whisper joining the roster over the next few months, plus major franchises like Pac-Man, Mega Man, and TMNT on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to jump in. The racing mechanics are solid, the customization runs deep, and Sega finally seems to understand what fans want from a Sonic racing game. Whether you’re a longtime Sega fan or just looking for a Mario Kart alternative with more edge, CrossWorlds delivers.