Sega Takes a Jab at Mario Kart in Sonic Racing: Crossworlds Reveal
▼ Summary
– Sega announced *Sonic Racing: Crossworlds*, a kart racer featuring crossover characters like Joker (*Persona 5*), Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga (*Yakuza*), and Steve (*Minecraft*).
– Sonic producer Takashi Iizuka subtly criticized *Mario Kart World* by highlighting *Crossworlds*’ cross-platform multiplayer on PC, Switch, PS4/5, and Xbox consoles.
– Iizuka’s comment referenced Sega and Nintendo’s historic rivalry, recalling Sega’s bold marketing tactics like the “Sega does what Nintendon’t” slogan.
– *Sonic Racing: Crossworlds* has a broader platform reach than *Mario Kart World*, which is exclusive to the Switch 2.
– The game launches on September 25, while *Mario Kart World* is expected to drive strong sales as a Switch 2 system seller.
Sega’s latest kart racing title, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, made waves at Summer Game Fest with an unexpected roster of crossover characters and a playful jab at Nintendo’s Mario Kart franchise. The upcoming racer brings together Sonic the Hedgehog alongside surprise additions like Persona 5‘s Joker, virtual pop star Hatsune Miku, Yakuza‘s Ichiban Kasuga, and even Minecraft‘s Steve, confirming earlier leaks. But the real standout moment came when producer Takashi Iizuka subtly called out the competition by highlighting Crossworlds‘ cross-platform multiplayer, a feature notably absent in Nintendo’s flagship racer.
During the presentation, Iizuka didn’t name Mario Kart directly but made it clear Sega’s game supports multiplayer across PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, a clear advantage over Nintendo’s platform-exclusive approach. The cheeky remark felt like a nod to the classic rivalry between the two companies, reminiscent of Sega’s bold “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” era. While Nintendo no longer faces Sega as a hardware competitor, the playful rivalry lives on in marketing.
Despite the friendly dig, Nintendo’s Mario Kart World remains a system-seller for the upcoming Switch 2, likely dominating sales with its exclusive appeal. Sega’s Crossworlds, on the other hand, casts a wider net by launching on multiple platforms, potentially reaching a broader audience when it arrives on September 25. Whether the cross-platform edge gives Sega an advantage remains to be seen, but the lighthearted rivalry adds an entertaining layer to the racing genre’s ongoing competition.
(Source: Kotaku)
