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Team Sonic Racing
DeveloperSumo Digital
PublisherSega
DirectorShunsuke Kawarazuka
ProducerTakashi Iizuka
Designers
  • Derek Littlewood
  • Richard Acherki
Programmers
  • Chris Jackson
  • Tim Furnish
Artists
  • Kelvin Tuite
  • Cris Lonergan-White
Composers
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platforms
ReleaseMay 21, 2019
GenreKart racing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Team Sonic Racing is a 2019 kart racing game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. A spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in May 2019. A simplified version for iOS developed by Hardlight, Sonic Racing, was released via Apple Arcade in September 2019. The game was later released on Amazon Luna in March 2021.

Controlling one of 15 characters from the series' cast, players compete in races using sports cars. Gameplay is from a third-person perspective, with players performing tricks, drifting, and collecting power-ups. Team Sonic Racing differs from traditional kart racers because of its focus on cooperative gameplay, similar to the kind featured in Splatoon (2015) and Overwatch (2016)—players are part of a team of racers and win races through efficiency rather than speed. Game modes include competing to earn points, time trials, customizing the racing rules, and a story-driven tutorial campaign.

Sumo Digital, which had previously worked on Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012), developed Team Sonic Racing. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka conceived the cooperative gameplay, and Sumo Digital used the team-based Sonic Heroes (2003) as a point of reference. Unlike Sumo Digital's previous racing games, Team Sonic Racing only features Sonic characters, as the team wanted to expand the series' world and character roster. They aimed to make the game stand out compared to other racing games and developed it using a modified version of the All-Stars game engine. Musician Jun Senoue, who had not contributed to a major Sonic game since Generations (2011), composed the soundtrack.

Team Sonic Racing's existence came to light when a Sumo Digital memo leaked in January 2018, with Sega confirming it the following May. Its marketing campaign included appearances at trade shows, a one-shot comic from IDW Publishing, and a two-part animated series. The game received mixed reviews from critics; while its team-based gameplay, track designs, and music were praised, both the story mode and voice acting were criticized. Many critics also considered it inferior to its predecessors, the Sega-All Stars games. A sequel, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, was released in 2025.[1]

Gameplay

[edit]
An example of gameplay in Team Sonic Racing, depicting Metal Sonic in Planet Wisp, a Sonic Colors-themed stage

Team Sonic Racing is a Sonic the Hedgehog-themed kart racing game featuring single-player and multiplayer modes.[2] After selecting one of 15 characters from the series' cast, players participate in races using sports cars on courses thematically based on locations from the franchise. There are three types of racing classes: speed, technique, and power. Each type has its own unique abilities; for example, technique racers like Tails can drive over rough surfaces like grass without slowing down.[3] The player views gameplay from a third-person perspective and runs over panels to get speed boosts, performs tricks in midair, and drifts to make sharp turns. Power-ups called Wisps can be collected from canisters with "?" marks and grant players temporary offensive and defensive advantages.[4][5]

The gameplay differs from traditional racing games because of its focus on cooperative gameplay: the player is part of a team of racers and they must work together. While each player in a team still takes control of a single racer, they must also pay attention to how teammates are performing and share power-ups.[6] Instead of winning races by simply finishing first, teams get points based on how they worked together. Thus, the most efficient team wins. Four teams of three compete, for a total of twelve racers at a time.[4][5] Any character can be in a team; the player also has the option for each teammate to be the same character.[7] Working together causes an "Ultimate" meter to be filled. When full, it can be activated to gain a temporary burst of speed. The meter's duration can be extended by hitting competing racers.[6]

There are 21 tracks in total, including some returning from Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012),[8] each split across seven zones and based on locations from main Sonic games.[7][9] Team Sonic Racing features a variety of game modes, including Grand Prix, in which players compete to earn points; Time Trial, in which players race for the fastest time possible; and Exhibition, in which players can customize the racing rules.[10] One mode, "Team Adventure",[2][11] is a story-driven campaign that also includes a tutorial,[7] as well as an original story explaining why the characters are racing.[6] It is divided into chapters and players must complete missions like collecting as many rings as possible.[10] Unlike the main game, the teams in Team Adventure are predetermined.[7] Progressing through Team Adventure will unlock extras that can be used in the other modes.[10]

Players can customize their vehicles,[12] with new parts unlocked as they progress through the game.[6] Customization options can be purchased using in-game currency called Mod Pods, which are earned by competing in races.[13] Parts modify cars' handling, boost, acceleration, defense, and top speed, and players can also make aesthetic changes such as paint jobs and horn sounds.[14] The game supports four-player local multiplayer, up to twelve online,[2] and up to three in Team Adventure.[7]

Characters

[edit]

Team Sonic Racing features a total of 15 characters, divided into five teams of three racers.[4][15][16][17] While most modes allow players to select any combination of characters, the story mode restricts characters to the following teams:[7]

Plot

[edit]

An alien tanuki named Dodon Pa sends invitations to Sonic the Hedgehog and several of his friends, inviting them to compete in a series of team-based races. He builds cars outfitted with advanced technology for each of the racers, offering them as a prize for the winning team. Though they are skeptical of Dodon Pa's motivations, Sonic and the others agree. The competition takes them across the world, with Dodon Pa pitting them against increasingly difficult challenges.

The racers remain suspicious of Dodon Pa, believing he may be working with Sonic's longtime nemesis Doctor Eggman. Investigating further, they discover he is king of the planet Donpa Kingdom and the president of the Donpa Motors automotive corporation. The company is constructing an Ultimate Energy Engine, which gains power from teamwork. Intending it for philanthropic use, Dodon Pa has been using the races to gather research data for the engine and generate energy to power it.

After unsuccessfully attempting to steal the engine, Eggman and his henchmen kidnap Dodon Pa and hold him hostage on their battleship. Eggman deceives Dodon Pa into finishing the engine for him, forcing Sonic and the others to continue racing to power it. Eggman installs the engine into a doomsday robot, but it goes haywire and destroys the battleship. Sonic and his friends manage to rescue Dodon Pa as the ship explodes, though the cars are destroyed in the process. A grateful Dodon Pa builds everyone new cars, and they prepare to race again.

Development

[edit]

The British video game developer Sumo Digital developed Team Sonic Racing for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.[18][11] It was Sumo Digital's third racing game featuring the Sonic intellectual property (IP), following Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.[19] Sega chose Sumo Digital to develop the game because of its experience with the Sonic IP.[6] Development began before the completion of Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces in 2017. Unlike those games, which featured action-oriented gameplay, Team Sonic Racing was aimed at casual gamers.[20] The majority of the staff did not work on the previous games, although some who did were contacted for advice.[3] The lead designer of the game was Richard Acherki,[3] while Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka served as producer.[21] Team Sonic Racing was Acherki's first game at Sumo Digital.[3] According to Acherki, the proprietary game engine Team Sonic Racing runs on is a modified version of the one used to develop the Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing games, and allowed them to easily port the game across platforms.[3]

Unlike the Sonic & Sega All-Stars games, which featured various Sega franchises, Team Sonic Racing solely focuses on Sonic.[22] Sega's community manager Aaron Webber said that Team Sonic Racing is not a sequel to Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and is "very, very different" from previous Sonic racers.[23] Iizuka explained that the team wanted to make a game that took place solely in the Sonic universe, which is why it does not bear the All-Stars name.[24] He noted Sega used to release a variety of racing games such as Out Run (1986) and Daytona USA (1992), and said Team Sonic Racing continues this tradition.[25] Webber added that the team wanted to expand the world and character roster of Sonic,[26] and designer Derek Littlewood said setting the game in the Sonic universe allowed them use to the series' "full suite" of characters and elements.[27] One of Sumo Digital's goals was to "provide plenty of fan service and also [give] people something new to look at and experience."[27] Designer Ben Wilson called working on a Sonic game "surreal" and said the team enjoyed working with Sega.[27] The game does not support cross-platform multiplayer, which Iizuka stated is because of technical constraints.[24]

Sumo Digital wanted to make Team Sonic Racing stand out compared to other racing games,[3] and with the engine of previous games they had a solid foundation to build a new experience.[21] Iizuka suggested that they design it so it was easy for beginners.[7] Sumo Digital also wanted to build on the gameplay of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed, which many players enjoyed.[27] Iizuka conceived the team-based gameplay after watching his son play a kart racing game with his friends. He observed that they were not all happy and pondered how they could all enjoy the game.[25][28] Observing other games, Sumo Digital found that team gameplay was popular; noting that racing games were largely single-player experiences, they decided combining the concepts would create a unique and exciting experience.[3][24] Iizuka said Sumo Digital was not inspired by other kart racing games like Mario Kart 8 (2014) because the team wanted to make a game that emphasized teamwork instead of "a network game", citing Splatoon (2015) and Overwatch (2016) as examples of the cooperative gameplay Team Sonic Racing was designed to resemble.[29] He also found it surprising there were few team-based racing games available.[20]

Designing the game was challenging because the teamwork aspect was an unusual concept for a racing game. Iizuka and the team found that, if the cooperative gameplay was too prominent, it would hamper with the fluidity of the gameplay.[20] Sumo Digital used Sonic Heroes (2003), which features team-based gameplay, as a point of reference.[21][6] Other difficulties arose from choosing characters for the roster. For instance, Vector the Crocodile, traditionally seen as a member of the Chaotix in Sonic games, is paired with Blaze the Cat and Silver the Hedgehog in Team Sonic Racing, which led to considerable debate among the team.[20][30] They also had a hard time choosing courses with a variety of atmospheres. Each character received a unique car designed to reflect their individuality, while custom parts were made separately.[20] Team Sonic Racing features several new versions of the Wisp power-ups from previous Sonic games.[7] The Sega All-Stars games included general power-ups since they featured multiple franchises, but since Team Sonic Racing features simply Sonic, Sumo Digital unified the power-ups with Wisps.[20] The team worked with the Japanese Sonic Team staff to get approval for their concepts.[7]

Jun Senoue composed the soundtrack in his first major work in the Sonic series since Sonic Generations (2011),[31] while Richard Jacques, Tee Lopes, Tyler Smyth of DangerKids, Tomoya Ohtani, chip-tune artist TORIENA and the EDM group Hyper Potions also contributed.[8][32][33] The game's theme song, "Green Light Ride", was performed by Senoue's band Crush 40.[34] Iizuka said the team needed "cool" music that would "influence the player's excitement", which led him to ask Senoue to compose the score.[28] He composed each track individually, collaborating with a different musician for each one.[20]

Promotion and release

[edit]

Rumors of a new Sonic racing game arose in January 2018, when an internal Sumo Digital memo mentioning an "unannounced karting game" based on an "established global IP" leaked.[19] Sumo Digital's history with Sonic caused speculation that it was developing a new Sega All-Stars title, which Webber denied.[19][35] Despite his response, several toy companies alluded to a future Sonic kart racing game in February 2018.[36] For example, a representative for the company Zappies reported at the Spielwarenmesse toy fair in Nuremberg that a third Sonic kart racing game was in development and that it planned to produce promotional toy figures.[19] Sonic fans noted Webber's comments just alluded to the Sega All-Stars name and did not discount the premise of a new Sonic racing game,[19] and further rumors of a game without any other Sega IPs involved arose later in February.[37] Sega scheduled a Sonic-related announcement for its March 16, 2018 show at the SXSW convention.[38][39] While Sega did not reveal the racing game there, the official series Twitter account teased it.[40]

In May 2018, after the game leaked in a Walmart retail listing,[2] Sega confirmed Team Sonic Racing was in development.[11] Eurogamer expressed disappointment that it did not include any non-Sonic characters as playable racers, which its writer believed was one of the best things about Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing and its sequel. However, he remained optimistic, believing Sumo Digital's experience with Sonic would ensure the game would be a similar, "fundamentally brilliant arcade racer".[22] Sega initially slated Team Sonic Racing for release in late 2018, but delayed it to May 21, 2019, that October to give Sumo Digital more development time.[41] Iizuka later clarified that there were problems with the online mode that took more time than anticipated to fix.[20][30] The game was released for Amazon Luna on March 11, 2021.[42][43]

A demo version was playable at E3 2018 in June.[18][29] The demo, which featured one track and six playable characters, was described by Kotaku as underwhelming, unfavorably comparing it to Mario Kart. Kotaku argued the demo lacked ambition and called its character lineup shallow, especially when compared to that of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.[4] A more optimistic opinion came from IGN: although he considered the power-ups generic, the writer felt the game still had a good foundation and that the team gameplay was satisfying.[5] Hardcore Gamer nominated it as E3's best racing game, but it lost to Forza Horizon 4.[44] Sega released a trailer to promote the game at E3, featuring the theme song and an in-depth look at the gameplay.[45] Another demo was playable at Gamescom in August 2018. More details were revealed, including the new character Dodon Pa, aspects of the story, and racetracks based on levels in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) and Sonic Unleashed (2008).[9] The game won the "Best Casual Game" award at the 2018 Gamescom Awards.[46] Team Sonic Racing was also present at PAX West in August, where attendees were given an exclusive poster,[47] and the Tokyo Game Show in November.[28]

IDW Publishing released a promotional one-shot comic book, written by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scribe Caleb Goellner and illustrated by Sonic comic artist Adam Bryce Thomas, in December 2018.[48][49] The story is set before the game's events[50] and features Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and their friends traveling to a mysterious planet and preventing "an old foe" from obtaining new technology.[51] At SXSW in March 2019, the first episode of a two-part tie-in animated series, Team Sonic Racing Overdrive, was released, followed by the second episode in April.[52] The series' animation was handled by Tyson Hesse and Neko Production,[53] who previously produced the Sonic Mania (2017) tie-in Sonic Mania Adventures.[54] On launch day, Sega released a live-action trailer set in a supermarket, featuring a cameo from Iizuka.[55] Sumo Digital chose to offer all content at launch instead of selling some as downloadable content, and not to include microtransactions.[13]

Sonic Racing, a simplified version developed by Hardlight, was released for iOS on September 19, 2019, as a launch title for Apple's Apple Arcade subscription service.[56][57] The game was released as part of a deal between Apple and Sega, and Sega does not plan to release it on other platforms.[58]

Reception

[edit]

According to review aggregator website Metacritic, Team Sonic Racing received "mixed or average reviews".[61][60][59] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 60% of critics.[62] Screen Rant observed that critics generally deemed it fun but inferior to the Sega All-Stars titles and Mario Kart 8, which they felt were presented better.[74]

Many critics of the game praised the team-based game play and the track designs as well. IGN stated, "Team Sonic Racing nails what matters most: speed and finesse on the racetrack. The new team system is a fantastic evolution of the arcade racing formula that gives you a real reason to work together, and there’s a litany of customization options to keep you coming back to these excellent tracks to earn more."[68] Brian Shia of Game Informer stated, "Team Sonic Racing delivers a fun, easy-to-play experience that bolsters its adequate gameplay with distinct flavors to help it stand out from the rest of the genre."[65] Nintendo Life gave the game a positive review, stating, "It’s strangely satisfying when you send some rockets to your 7th place chum and see their ranking climb a few moments later. Even though you’re just watching a number change, there’s an odd feeling of teamwork done well."[70]

Many were critical of the game's story mode. Game Informer also stated, "The Team Adventure story mode is an inconsequential narrative told through still character images over background environments, making the uninteresting plot even less engaging."[65] GamesRadar+ was also critical of the game's story mode stating, "Team Sonic Racing's campaign includes seven chapters of races, as well as other types of modes like ring collection, target smashes, and elimination rounds, tied together by horribly boring cutscenes made up of static character art. If you're looking to handle the majority of this one alone then the campaign will be your only option. Outside time trials, local play, and online multiplayer, there isn't much else you can play through when you first start out."[67] Many publications criticized its voice acting as well.[75][76][77] IGN described it as "[falling] somewhere between laughable and painful to listen to as most voices sound more like parodies than actual characters", only appreciating the ability to skip the voice altogether.[77]

Sales

[edit]

The Nintendo Switch version of Team Sonic Racing sold 3,339 copies during its first week on sale in Japan, making it the thirteenth bestselling retail game of the week. The PlayStation 4 version sold 2,432 copies during the same week, placing it at number sixteen on the retail chart.[78] It debuted at the top of the UK all-format sales charts—the first Sonic game to do so since Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in 2008—with the PlayStation 4 version selling the most copies.[79] Its launch sales doubled that of Sonic & All Stars Racing: Transformed.[80] In 2021, the game was listed among one of Sega's best selling titles of that year.[81]

By June 2025, Team Sonic Racing had sold 3.5 million copies.[82]

Awards

[edit]

The game was nominated for best racing game at the 2018 Game Critics Awards and 2019 Independent Game Developers' Association Awards.[83][84]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Team Sonic Racing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Team Sonic Racing is a developed by and published by , released on May 21, 2019, for , , , and Microsoft Windows. It serves as a spin-off in the franchise, emphasizing team-based multiplayer racing with 15 playable characters divided into three classes—Speed, Power, and Technique—allowing players to form teams of three for cooperative strategies like sharing power-ups and performing team ultimate abilities. The game's core revolves around arcade-style races on 21 tracks inspired by Sonic's , including locales like Green Hill and new environments, where players can customize vehicles for performance tweaks in handling, acceleration, and top speed. Key modes include Grand Prix for competitive tournaments, Team Adventure for a story-driven campaign involving races and off-track challenges to unlock content, Exhibition for single races or time trials, and online/local multiplayer supporting up to 12 players with split-screen co-op for four. Iconic characters such as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Dr. Eggman headline the roster, each with unique vehicles and abilities that encourage strategic team composition—Speed types excel in straight-line velocity, Power in durability and attacks, and Technique in item usage and curves. The title received praise for its fast-paced mechanics and vibrant visuals but mixed reviews on innovation compared to contemporaries like , with lifetime sales exceeding 3.5 million copies as of 2025 and expansion to in 2021.

Gameplay

Core mechanics

Team Sonic Racing employs a format where up to 12 players compete across three teams of three racers, prioritizing cooperative team dynamics over solo performance, with victory determined by the collective points earned by each team based on their members' placements. This structure encourages strategic alliances, as teammates can assist one another through unique mechanics to optimize overall team progress. Fundamental vehicle handling revolves around acceleration controlled by the gas input, drifting to navigate turns while charging boost energy for short bursts of heightened speed, and collecting rings scattered on tracks to sustain and against collisions or attacks—losing rings upon impact reduces speed until replenished. Item boxes positioned along courses dispense Wisps, alien-like power-ups functioning as weapons for offensive disruptions like missiles or defensive barriers such as , adding tactical depth to races. Team-specific interactions further integrate : the Skim Boost revives a lagging teammate's speed by passing nearby, provides a velocity surge when drafting behind an ally, Item Box Transfer enables sharing Wisps regardless of position, Target Assist highlights vulnerable rivals for precise strikes to overtake them, and Performance Swap allows temporary exchange of handling stats like speed or with a teammate to adapt to track demands. Vehicles can be customized via performance parts attached to front, rear, and side sections, modifying core stats including maximum speed, acceleration rate, and cornering handling, with parts aligned to three categories—Speed for top velocity, Technique for agile maneuvers, and Power for robust impacts—that complement the innate traits of playable characters. These adjustments, unlocked through in-game , enable tailored builds suited to player preferences or race conditions. Multiplayer extends to local split-screen play supporting up to four participants and online modes accommodating full 12-player lobbies, fostering both casual co-op and competitive team battles.

Playable characters

Team Sonic Racing features a roster of 15 playable characters drawn from the universe, each assigned to one of three distinct racing types—Speed, Technique, or Power—that influence vehicle handling and performance characteristics. Speed types prioritize and top speed for rapid traversal of tracks, Technique types excel in precise handling, drifting, and temporary immunity to environmental hazards or attacks, while Power types offer superior defense, the ability to shatter obstacles without losing momentum, and enhanced attack potency using Wispon items. These type-based nuances encourage strategic team composition, as players can briefly share items and boosts with teammates regardless of individual type differences. The characters are organized into five pre-set teams of three, balancing one of each type for complementary gameplay:
Team NameSpeed TypeTechnique TypePower Type
Team SonicSonicTailsKnuckles
Team DarkShadowRougeE-123
Team RoseChaoBig the Cat
Team VectorBlazeSilverVector
Team EggmanMetal SonicDr. EggmanZavok
These fixed s are used in the story mode, while offline races and online multiplayer allow for custom team creation by mixing characters from across the roster. Each character delivers type-specific voice lines during races, such as announcements for performed actions or interactions, adding personality to their handling style—Power types, for instance, emphasize aggressive maneuvers with stronger impact declarations. All characters become available through progression in Team Adventure mode, where completing story chapters and earning stars from challenges unlocks access to new teams and racers, starting with Team Sonic and expanding to the full roster by the end of Chapter 3.

Game modes

Team Sonic Racing offers a variety of game modes that emphasize team-based racing strategies across single-player and multiplayer formats. The primary single-player mode is Grand Prix, a team-based tournament structure where players select a team of three characters and compete in five cups consisting of four races each, using 18 unique tracks from the six initial zones across different difficulties such as Normal, Hard, and , with some tracks repeated across cups. Success in Grand Prix relies on accumulating points through individual and team performance, with victory determined by the highest team score at the end of the cup. Another key single-player experience is Adventure Mode, a story-driven campaign that serves as an extended and progression hub, featuring over 50 missions including standard races, ring collection challenges, target smashing events, and races. In this mode, players progress through chapters by earning stars based on performance, unlocking new characters, teams, and customizations while introducing core team mechanics like Wisp sharing and ultimate attacks. Multiplayer modes support both local and online play to foster competitive and cooperative racing. Local multiplayer accommodates up to four players in split-screen format across various race types, while online modes allow up to 12 players in ranked or unranked lobbies, including Grand Prix tournaments and exhibition races where teams can be customized. Additional standalone modes include Time Trials, where players compete against personal bests or global leaderboards on individual tracks without AI opponents or items, and , an elimination-style race where the lowest-ranked team member after each lap is removed until one remains. Progression across all modes is tied to earning Credits through race completions, challenge successes, and daily online tasks, which are spent in the Mod Pod system to acquire performance parts enhancing vehicle attributes like boost efficiency, item usage, and handling. These upgrades, combined with team synergy bonuses such as shared speed bursts and coordinated ultimate attacks, encourage strategic team composition and playstyle adaptation without altering base character stats. Daily and weekly online challenges provide additional Credits and cosmetic rewards, rotating objectives like specific race wins or item collections to maintain engagement in multiplayer sessions.

Tracks and environments

Team Sonic Racing features 21 tracks divided across seven distinct zones, each drawing inspiration from iconic locations in the series to create diverse racing environments. These zones include Planet Wisp, Seaside Hill, Glacierland, Casino Park, Sandopolis, Rooftop Run, and the unlockable Final Fortress. Nine of the tracks are returning designs adapted from previous Sonic racing titles like Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, while the rest are original creations that incorporate elements from mainline Sonic games such as and . The tracks emphasize dynamic layouts with signature Sonic elements like looping ramps, high-speed jumps, and hidden shortcuts that reward exploration and precise driving. For instance, Ocean View in the Seaside Hill zone features coastal cliffs and a massive structure for aerial boosts, while Roulette Road in Casino Park incorporates spinning wheels and obstacles for unpredictable path alterations. Environmental hazards are integral to strategy, including slippery patches in Glacierland's Frozen Junkyard that cause vehicles to skid, and laser-firing turrets from Dr. Eggman's machinery in industrial areas. Destructible obstacles, such as crates and barriers, can be smashed for item pickups, and weather effects like sandstorms in Sandopolis obscure visibility and alter traction. Rooftop Run features urban racing across rooftops inspired by Spagonia from , with tracks emphasizing precise jumps between buildings, narrow paths, and city traffic hazards.
ZoneRepresentative TracksKey Themes and Hazards
Planet WispWisp Circuit, Mother's Canyon, Doctor's MineLush, alien flora; energy wisps and collapsing platforms
Seaside HillOcean View, Lost Palace, Whale LagoonCoastal beaches; tidal waves and jumping marine life
GlacierlandIce Mountain, Frozen Junkyard, Hidden VolcanoFrozen wastes; avalanches, lava flows, and Eggman lasers
Casino ParkRoulette Road, Bingo Party, Pinball HighwayNeon-lit gambling halls; pinball bumpers and card-shuffling pitfalls
SandopolisSand Road, Boo's House, Clockwork PyramidDesert ruins; quicksand, ghosts, and gear-based traps
Rooftop RunMarket Street, Sky Road, Haunted CastleUrban rooftops; building jumps, traffic obstacles, and narrow ledges
Final FortressThunder Deck, Dark Arsenal, Turbine LoopHigh-tech fortress; electrical storms and spinning turbines
Tracks are unlocked progressively through Grand Prix mode, where completing cups in increasing difficulty reveals new zones and routes, encouraging replayability with forward and reverse variants for added challenge. Hidden shortcuts, such as boost pads behind destructible walls or alternate paths via precise jumps, allow skilled players to gain advantages and discover collectibles like Wisps. Vehicle handling adapts to environmental surfaces, such as reduced grip on or , influencing team-based tactics during races.

Story

Plot summary

The story of Team Sonic Racing unfolds in Adventure Mode, where static cutscenes featuring character portraits and voiced dialogue alternate with racing sequences to drive the narrative forward. The premise centers on Dodon Pa, a mysterious tanuki-like alien and organizer from the Donpa Motors corporation, who sends invitations to Sonic and his allies on Mobius to join the Ultimate Team Grand Prix—a grand spanning exotic planets like Wisp, with teams of three competing for the Ultimate , a powerful teamwork-powered . Team Sonic, composed of , Miles "Tails" Prower, and , quickly assembles and travels to the event, where they meet Dodon Pa and learn the team-based rules emphasizing collaboration. Joined by other assembled squads such as Team Rose (Amy Rose, Big the Cat, and Omochao), Team Dark (led by ), and Team Vector (led by Vector the Crocodile), the competitors engage in escalating races across diverse environments, facing off against one another while briefly referencing the roles of playable teams like those involving Silver the Hedgehog or Vector the Crocodile. Antagonists Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic enter with their own rogue team, Team Eggman (including Zavok), scheming to seize the prize for world domination, adding tension to the proceedings. As the Grand Prix advances through multiple worlds, doubts emerge about Dodon Pa's motives, culminating in revelations that expose his benign but obsessive for heroic team dynamics in the , rather than any malicious plot. The resolves in a high-stakes climactic race, where themes of and mutual support enable the protagonists to triumph, reinforcing the core values of unity and cooperation central to the series.

Voice cast

The voice cast for Team Sonic Racing features a mix of returning actors from previous Sonic the Hedgehog titles and new performers, particularly for supporting characters and antagonists. reprises his role as , a position he has held since Sonic Free Riders in 2010, while returns as Miles "Tails" Prower and Charmy Bee, and as Amy Rose. Mike Pollock continues voicing Dr. Eggman (also known as Dr. Ivo Robotnik), a role he has performed since Shadow the Hedgehog in 2005. Other returning actors include as , as Rouge the Bat, and as Vector the Crocodile.
CharacterVoice Actor
Miles "Tails" Prower
Amy Rose
Rouge the Bat
Dr. EggmanMike Pollock
Silver the Hedgehog
Blaze the Cat
E-123 "Omega"
Zavok
Dodon Pa
Big the Cat
Several casting changes occurred compared to prior mainline Sonic games, including replacing as , taking over Silver the Hedgehog from , and replacing as Blaze the Cat. provides the voice for both Sonic and E-123 "Omega". These shifts contributed to updated line deliveries, especially in team banter during races, where characters exchange encouragement and strategy calls in real-time to enhance cooperative gameplay dynamics. provides the new voice for the game's host, Dodon Pa, as well as Big the Cat, bringing a distinct energetic tone to the alien organizer's announcements and interactions. The game's cutscenes and in-race dialogue emphasize expressive performances, with voice recordings synchronized to animated lip movements and gestures for heightened emotional impact in story sequences. While specific details on the recording process are limited, the audio work supports dynamic team interactions voiced across various scenarios. Team Sonic Racing offers full voice dubs in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, French, Italian, German, and European Spanish, allowing players to select audio independently from subtitles. In the Japanese version, reprises his long-standing role as , a performance he has delivered since Sonic Adventure in 1998, alongside other series veterans like as Vector the Crocodile and Jōji Nakata as Zavok. This multilingual support ensures regional authenticity in character portrayals, particularly for cutscene narratives involving team alliances.

Development

Announcement and conception

Team Sonic Racing was officially announced by Sega on May 30, 2018, alongside the release of its first reveal trailer, which showcased high-speed with and his allies forming teams to compete. The trailer highlighted the game's emphasis on teamwork, positioning it as a fresh take on the genre within the franchise. The game's conception originated from Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka, who envisioned a racing title that prioritized cooperative play over pure competition, allowing players to support each other and share in victories. Iizuka drew inspiration from the team-based mechanics of the 2003 platformer , adapting its group dynamics to a racing context to foster collaboration among racers. This approach marked an evolution from the earlier Sonic & All-Stars Racing series, shifting the focus toward co-op elements while reviving the format dormant since Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed in 2012. Sumo Digital, the studio behind the previous two entries in the series, was selected as the developer to bring Iizuka's vision to life, leveraging their expertise in arcade-style featuring Sonic characters. Early planning emphasized team mechanics, such as resource sharing between teammates, to differentiate the title from rivals like by promoting strategic alliances during races. Iizuka served as producer, overseeing the high-level direction to ensure the game aligned with the Sonic universe's emphasis on friendship and unity.

Production and design

Development of Team Sonic Racing spanned from 2017 to 2019 under , leveraging the studio's in-house engine—a modified of the proprietary technology from prior Sonic racing titles—to facilitate cross-platform development and release on , , , and PC. The project built upon 's experience with the series, following Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed in 2012, and aimed for a late 2018 launch after its May 2018 announcement. However, delayed the release to May 21, 2019, citing the need for additional time to refine gameplay and features. Design efforts centered on creating 21 tracks by remixing and expanding assets from the broader , such as remakes of locales like Ocean View and Ice Mountain, to evoke familiarity while supporting team-based racing dynamics. Character models were updated to align with the modern Sonic visual style, drawing from recent titles. The core team system, which promotes cooperative elements like Skim Boosts, assists, and shared item usage, underwent dozens of iterations during internal playtests to balance individual skill with group strategy, preventing overly restrictive or confusing mechanics. Story elements, including character-driven cutscenes and , were woven into production to provide narrative framing for the races without overshadowing the competitive focus. The game's audio was crafted by a team led by Tee Lopes and , producing original compositions for each track that fuse electronic beats, rock riffs, and recurring Sonic motifs like speed-themed guitar leads, resulting in a dynamic score that escalates during races. Sound effects integration, including engine roars, boost cues, and environmental ambiance, was prioritized to heighten immersion and feedback during high-speed maneuvers. Production challenges included optimizing performance for the Switch's portable mode to maintain frame rates amid complex track geometries and particle effects, alongside stabilizing online multiplayer for up to 12 players across platforms. The also drew from internal playtests and demo feedback to fine-tune co-op balance, addressing issues like team ultimate timing and handling to better suit diverse player skill levels.

Marketing and release

Promotion

The marketing campaign for Team Sonic Racing emphasized the game's unique team-based racing mechanics through a series of trailers and hands-on demonstrations at major gaming events. At , unveiled a gameplay trailer showcasing Team Sonic and Team Dark competing on the Wisp Circuit track, accompanied by a preview of the original theme song "Green Light Ride" by Crush 40. This was followed by additional gameplay footage during the event, highlighting competitive multiplayer elements. In March 2019, at SXSW, presented a new trailer focusing on vehicle customization options, allowing players to modify parts like wings, stickers, and colors using in-game credits earned from races. To further build anticipation, released the two-part animated short series Team Sonic Racing Overdrive during the event, depicting rival teams in high-stakes races on tracks like Wisp Circuit, with the full episodes available on the official YouTube channel. Cross-promotion efforts tied into the broader Sonic franchise, including the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog live-action film, to leverage shared branding and fanbase excitement. The animated Overdrive series served as a narrative bridge, featuring core characters like Sonic, Shadow, and Dr. Eggman in team competitions that mirrored the game's modes, released ahead of the film's November 2019 debut to heighten franchise visibility. Limited-edition merchandise supported these efforts, including official apparel such as team-themed t-shirts featuring designs for Team Sonic, Team Dark, and other groups, available through retailers like BoxLunch starting in early 2019. These items, priced around $30, highlighted character logos and racing motifs to appeal to collectors. Hands-on demos were a key component of the promotional strategy, allowing attendees to experience team play firsthand. At PAX West 2018, offered playable stations with the Ice Mountain track and selectable teams including Team Sonic, Team Dark, Team Rose, and Team Vector, emphasizing strategies like item sharing. Additional demos appeared at events like 2018, where players tested new stages and mechanics. Social media engagement included fan challenges on platforms like and , encouraging users to vote on favorite character teams or share custom team lineups using hashtags like #TeamSonicRacing, with reposting select entries to promote community involvement. The campaign targeted longtime Sonic fans alongside kart racing enthusiasts from series like Mario Kart, with advertisements and trailers underscoring the innovative team dynamics—such as Speed, Power, and Technique character types working together—over individual competition to differentiate it in the genre.

Release details

Team Sonic Racing was released worldwide on May 21, 2019, for , , , and Microsoft Windows via , with both digital and physical formats available for the console versions and digital-only for PC. The game launched in a standard edition across all platforms. A bundle with Plus, titled Sonic Mania + Team Sonic Racing Double Pack, was released for on October 27, 2020. Digital pre-orders included exclusive avatars and in-game items on select platforms. No dedicated digital deluxe edition was available. Platform-specific variations included the edition running at a dynamic resolution of up to 900p in docked mode and native in portable mode, both targeting 30 fps to support handheld play, resulting in slightly reduced visual fidelity compared to other versions. The PC version launched digitally on and later gained community mod support through tools like GameBanana, allowing custom content such as character skins and tracks. Post-launch patches, starting with update 1.02 on May 31, 2019, addressed issues including connectivity problems and stability improvements for multiplayer modes. No major packs were released, but free post-launch updates in late 2019 and early 2020 added minor enhancements like additional challenge modes and bug fixes to refine features and gameplay balance. The game was later released on on March 11, 2021.

Reception

Critical response

Team Sonic Racing received mixed or average reviews from critics, with an aggregate score of 72/100 for the version based on 76 reviews. User reviews on the same platform averaged 7.1/10 from 363 ratings, reflecting a generally positive but not outstanding reception among players. Critics frequently praised the game's visuals for their vibrant, Sonic-inspired aesthetic, responsive controls that enabled smooth drifting and boosting, and innovative team mechanics that encouraged strategies during races. However, common criticisms included repetitive track designs that lacked variety after repeated playthroughs, a short and simplistic story mode that failed to engage beyond Sonic enthusiasts, and a perceived lack of overall innovation when compared to established kart racers like . In a specific review, awarded the game an 8.5/10, highlighting the enjoyment of its co-op elements and team-based twists on traditional racing but noting that the single-player content felt somewhat shallow in depth and longevity. gave it a 7/10, commending the tight handling and fun item usage while faulting the limited variety in game modes and the absence of robust offline multiplayer options beyond basic local play. The version drew additional positive notes for its portability, allowing seamless transitions between handheld and docked play despite minor performance dips like a consistent 30 FPS cap, making it appealing for on-the-go sessions. Across reviews, a recurring theme was the game's strong appeal as fan service for Sonic series loyalists, with its character-specific abilities and nostalgic track themes providing satisfying familiarity, though accessibility for newcomers was mixed due to the emphasis on team coordination that could frustrate solo players unfamiliar with the franchise. By 2025, retrospective analyses and community discussions showed no significant shifts in critical opinion, with the game maintaining its niche status without major reappraisals or updates altering its legacy. Coverage often overlooked the long-term viability of its online multiplayer, which experienced a decline in active player base shortly after launch, leading to matchmaking challenges over time.

Commercial performance

Team Sonic Racing achieved a strong launch in key markets, topping the physical sales charts during its debut week in May 2019 and becoming the first standalone Sonic-branded title to reach number one since in 2008. Its launch week physical sales more than doubled those of its predecessor, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, from 2012. Globally, the game saw solid initial performance, with noting it as a key contributor to the Sonic franchise's revenue in fiscal reports following its release. In 's 2020 (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020), the game sold 1.38 million units worldwide. According to a leaked internal report from in June 2025, lifetime sales reached 3.5 million units as of the end of 2025 (March 31, 2025). Performance varied by platform, with the strongest sales on and versions, which benefited from broader install bases and bundled promotions that boosted digital downloads. The Nintendo Switch edition underperformed relative to consoles, hampered by direct competition from , which debuted the following week and outsold it significantly on that platform. Digital sales were further supported by value-oriented bundles, such as the Plus + Team Sonic Racing Double Pack, which helped extend its market reach post-launch. As of 2025, Team Sonic Racing remains available digitally and physically across its original platforms—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC—with no delistings reported. No remaster or enhanced edition has been announced, though it continues to appear in Sonic-themed compilations and bundles to maintain accessibility for new players. The title's commercial trajectory was influenced by the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog film, which renewed franchise interest and supported ongoing sales, while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted physical retail channels during its early post-launch window. It stands as a solid performer within Sega's portfolio, especially compared to higher-selling Sonic entries like Sonic Frontiers (4.57 million units).

Awards and nominations

Team Sonic Racing received several nominations and one notable win prior to and following its release, primarily recognizing its racing mechanics and appeal. The game was nominated for Best Racing Game at the , an honor given to standout titles demonstrated at E3. It did not win in that category, which went to Forza Horizon 4. In pre-release accolades, Team Sonic Racing won Best Casual Game at the 2018 Gamescom Awards, based on playable demos showcased at the event. This fan- and jury-voted prize highlighted its accessible arcade-style gameplay among upcoming titles. Post-launch, the game earned a for Best Sports/ at the 2019 TIGA Games Industry Awards, where it competed against other UK-developed racing simulations. It was also nominated in the Game, Franchise Racing category at the 2020 NAVGTR Awards, acknowledging its contributions to the racing genre within established series. Additionally, Team Sonic Racing won Best Sports/Racing Game in PlayStation LifeStyle's 2019 Game of the Year Awards, selected through community voting for its innovative team-based features.
AwardYearCategoryResultSource
2018Nominated
2018Best Casual GameWon
TIGA Games Industry Awards2019Best Sports/Racing GameNominated
PlayStation LifeStyle GOTY Awards2019Won
NAVGTR Awards2020Game, Franchise RacingNominated
By 2025, the game has not received major retrospective honors or inductions into halls of fame, though it appears in rankings of Sonic racing titles, such as 6th place in TheGamer's 2025 list of every Sonic racing game, where it is noted for strong track design despite mixed overall reception.

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