Lee —
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’ “Weight” is the sport’s Blue Shell
Again in June 2025, long-time Sonic collection producer and current-day ‘Sonic Artistic Officer’ Takashi Iizuka spoke to GamesRadar concerning the racing sport’s objects. Right here, Iizuka phrases a couple of issues that could invite sure readers to presume Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will launch with out an equal to Mario Kart’s Blue Shell.
For instance, at one level Iizuka displays on Sonic Staff’s design by saying: “They needed to verify the racing itself with none objects was honest and enjoyable.” He additionally mentioned that after playtesting, “something that was very disturbing for gamers, something that all the time allowed folks to come back again from behind and win on a regular basis wanted to be faraway from the idea.”
At no level does Iizuka outright deny the existence of Blue Shell-like objects within the sport, however on reflection, it is fairly clear he is merely speaking broadly concerning the sport’s stability right here. You’ll possible have walked away with that very same feeling had you caught the interview straight. You may have to inform me your self, as a result of I didn’t catch this interview on the time.
As a substitute, I solely caught a glimpse of this interview within the type of headlines from different retailers, a few of which can have embellished the phrases just a little to make it sound like there could be no Blue Shells in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. Or, within the case of this one article, simply outright say it with: “Hate Mario Kart’s Blue Shells? Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Will not Have Something Like That.“
So, you may think about my shock after I performed the sport’s Open Community Check this weekend and obtained hit with a Weight — Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds‘ equal of a Blue Shell. Gifted often to gamers trailing behind the pack, the Weight merchandise drops on each 1st and 2nd place, slowing them down and inflicting them to lose their objects. It is a Double Blue Shell! Hooray.
Now, you may suppose I am writing this text to take some kind of higher stance towards clickbait titles or one thing, however as my haters will promptly inform you, I am unable to do this with out being an enormous hypocrite. So, as an alternative, let me take this chance to let you realize that it is truly high quality that CrossWorlds has a Blue Shell.
I imply, sure; it does result in the odd second of frustration, particularly if it lands proper on the very finish. Nonetheless, to be sincere, I did not suppose the velocity penalty you’re taking from getting hit was practically as brutal because the Blue Shell in Mario Kart World. The truth is, it took me a couple of races to even notice what it was that stored hitting me; the motion in CrossWorlds simply breezes by that quick.
Plus, even my favourite Xbox racing sport — Crash Staff Racing Nitro-Fueled — has a Blue Shell with its Warp Orb merchandise. At this level, I am satisfied all the most effective kart racers merely require some equal to this merchandise. I am keen to make peace with that.
I imply, certain, if the Weight’s spawn charge had been to be barely lowered by the point the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds demo comes out, I assume I would not be too mad about it. Nonetheless, as it’s, I might say the frantic motion of the sport makes it no less than a bit extra bearable than it’s in Nintendo’s kart racing collection. At any charge, hopefully this clears up the entire Blue Shell mix-up; let me know in case you additionally thought there would not be any such merchandise in CrossWorlds!
