Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t just about single-player Grand Prix tournaments—it’s a full-featured multiplayer racer built to keep you and your friends competing for hours. Whether you prefer couch co-op, custom matches, or cross-platform online play, the game offers a wide range of modes and mechanics that keep things fast and varied.
Getting Started with Multiplayer
To jump into multiplayer, you’ll head into Race Park from the main menu. Here, you’ll find a hub designed like a festival ground, with individual “tents” offering access to different modes.
Before entering, you’ll select your racer, Machine, customizations, and Gadget Plate. Once inside Race Park, you can either compete solo against AI Rivals or bring friends along, locally or online. Even solo play is useful, since it lets you practice and still earn rewards.
See also: All Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Red Star Ring Locations Guide (Every Grand Prix)
CrossWorlds supports up to 12-player online races and 4-player split-screen locally, making it one of the most versatile Sonic racers to date.
Team-Based Multiplayer Modes
Race Park emphasizes teamwork in several modes where points are earned collectively. These modes also use a Team Gauge that fills as you and your teammates perform cooperative actions, unlocking a Super Team Boost once full.
Triple Team Ring Grab
- Format: Three teams of four.
- Goal: Collect as many Rings as possible across three laps.
- Twist: The more Rings you gather, the higher your maximum speed. Omochao can drop extra Rings to help.
- Strategy Tip: Spread out from teammates so Ring respawns aren’t wasted.
Triple Team
- Format: Three teams of four.
- Goal: Gain boosts by colliding with your teammates.
- Tip: Stick together on the same paths and use the colored thread indicators to track allies.
Double Team
- Format: Two teams of six.
- Goal: Land the most hits using Attack items.
- Item Pool: Almost entirely offensive tools like Red and Green Fists or Monster Trucks.
- Tip: Give spacing at item boxes so your team controls the flow of attacks.
Double Team Dash Panel
- Format: Two teams of six.
- Goal: Hit the most Dash Panels and Dash Gates on the track.
- Tip: Memorize Dash placements and plan routes that maximize boost opportunities.
See also: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Gadgets Guide: Best Builds, Tier List & Loadouts
Free-For-All Multiplayer Modes
If you’d rather rely only on your own driving skills, Race Park also includes modes where every racer is on their own.
Quick Match
A classic 12-player individual race, letting you skip the length of a full Grand Prix while still enjoying competitive action.
Extreme Match
All-out chaos. Only heavy-hitting Attack items are available—expect Red Fists, Typhoons, and Monster Trucks to dominate.
Custom Match
The sandbox of CrossWorlds multiplayer. Here, you can tweak almost everything: item pools, track selection, COM difficulty, race counts, and how Frenzy effects alter CrossWorlds. Perfect for experimenting or setting up your own house rules.
Cross-Play and Local Play Options
CrossWorlds is designed with inclusivity in mind:
- Cross-Play: Play across PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC without barriers.
- Local Multiplayer: Up to four players in split-screen on the same device.
- AI Support: Any missing slots in online or local games are filled by AI Rivals, so you’ll always have a full lineup.
This flexibility means you can run a full 12-player online match, then switch to a couch session without changing much.
How to Win Team Modes in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
- Use Team Boosts Wisely: In team modes, coordinate with teammates to maximize the Team Gauge and trigger Super Team Boosts at critical times.
- Adapt Your Loadout: Gadgets can give you subtle but important advantages. Choose ones that complement your playstyle—such as ring magnetism in Ring Grab or item prioritization in Double Team.
- Stick Together in Team Modes: Bumping teammates grants speed boosts, so don’t stray too far.
- Learn Item Timing: In modes heavy on attacks, knowing when to hold or unleash an item can decide the outcome.
- Customize for the Mode: In Custom Match, tailor vehicle builds and gadgets to match the rules you’ve set.
Unlike earlier Sonic racing games that leaned heavily on standard Grand Prix progression, CrossWorlds doubles down on social and competitive play. The variety of modes, full cross-play support, and festival-like Race Park hub make it a game built for both casual fun and competitive showdowns.
See also: How to Unlock Super Sonic in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds – Full Rival Guide
Whether you’re chasing Rings with friends, smashing rivals with Monster Trucks, or fine-tuning rules in Custom Matches, CrossWorlds multiplayer ensures the action never feels repetitive. Play Now!
