Sega has launched a striking advertisement for its forthcoming racing game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, which playfully targets Nintendo’s Mario Kart World. This initiative aims to position CrossWorlds as the Super Smash Bros of racing games, featuring various beloved characters not just from Sega’s lineup but also from the broader gaming universe.

So far, characters confirmed to join the race include Joker from Persona 5 and Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon. Additionally, game icons from franchises such as Minecraft, Pac-Man, and SpongeBob are also set to be included.

As the launch title for the new Switch 2 console this past summer, Mario Kart World offered expansive road exploration across a diverse map. Despite some controversy surrounding the elevated price of $80, it has performed remarkably, selling over five million copies just in June, while earning an impressive 86 on Metacritic.

With the anticipated launch of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds just a week away, Sega’s new ad appears to take explicit jabs at Mario Kart World. The 30-second spot begins with a sarcastic invitation to “Leave the open road behind and come race on our level,” showcasing Mario Kart World being played on a blurred monitor. The ad’s narration further embellishes the features of CrossWorlds, contrasting it with the blurred monitor of Mario Kart pinned to a malfunctioning RV.

The campaign also reminds fans that an “Early Unlock” period for the Digital Deluxe version starts in a week, though Nintendo Switch users will not have early access, consistent with Nintendo’s practices against three-day early access.

This new ad raises questions regarding Sega’s decision to stir up rivalry with Nintendo, given their historically friendly relations, particularly highlighted by the collaborations seen in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series and Sonic’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Fans appear to enjoy this nostalgic rivalry reminiscent of the early 90s.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be released on September 25, 2025, for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with plans for a Switch 2 launch scheduled for 2026. There’s keen anticipation about how well CrossWorlds will perform against Mario Kart World as a $70 title that is not bound to a new console.