Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has managed to stir up excitement earlier than expected, thanks to several retailers breaking its street date and shipping physical copies ahead of launch. What’s catching the attention of fans, though, isn’t just the chance to play early – it’s the leaflet tucked inside the case. 
That slip of paper seemingly confirms one of the biggest crossover surprises yet: Mega Man joining the game as part of the DLC lineup.
Sega had already promised that CrossWorlds would offer a massive roster of characters, mixing classic Sonic icons like Sonic himself, Knuckles, Tails, Shadow, and Dr. Eggman with a variety of crossover stars. We already knew SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were coming, making this the most ambitious Sonic kart racer yet. Now, thanks to the early leak, it seems Mega Man is officially locked in as part of the Season Pass.
The leaflet doesn’t reveal exact dates, only teasing a broad “coming soon.” However, by looking at Sega’s existing DLC schedule – with Minecraft content arriving in October and SpongeBob in November – it’s not hard to imagine that the DLC order listed may follow a monthly cadence. If that’s the case, Mega Man could land on the starting grid by January, possibly even ahead of the TMNT and Avatar drops. That would give the blue bomber a high-profile start to the new year and rekindle nostalgia for fans who have been waiting for Capcom to do more with the character.
CrossWorlds isn’t just competing against its own legacy – it’s gearing up for a direct showdown with Nintendo. Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 exclusive, has avoided crossover chaos so far, sticking to Nintendo’s own roster. Sega, on the other hand, has leaned into the madness, doubling down on cameos and fan-service crossovers. That contrast has reignited the old-school Mario vs. Sonic rivalry, and Sega even embraced it in a cheeky trailer earlier this week. The ad didn’t shy away from comparing CrossWorlds directly to Mario Kart, boasting about its larger cartridge size and the inclusion of the full base game on a 64GB physical cart.
On top of that, eagle-eyed fans noticed something intriguing on the back of the box: an image suggesting NiGHTS might also be included as a playable character. For long-time Sega fans, NiGHTS is a cult classic from the Sega Saturn era, and its potential inclusion adds even more retro appeal to an already stacked roster. It’s yet another signal that CrossWorlds is aiming to be more than just another kart racer – it’s positioning itself as a celebration of Sega’s legacy and gaming crossovers at large.
Reviews so far have been glowing, with IGN awarding the game a 9/10 and praising its track design, customization systems, and the sheer variety of racers. While some fans still wish the game included a more robust career mode, it’s clear that the combination of nostalgia, crossover excitement, and competitive karting fun has already struck a chord. Whether it can outlast Mario Kart’s enduring dominance remains to be seen, but with leaks like this fanning the flames, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is shaping up to be one of Sega’s boldest moves in years.
2 comments
SpongeBob racing Sonic is something my 8yo self would’ve never believed lol what a time to be alive
So this means new Mega Man game is actually coming?? I need it lol, been too long Capcom 😭