SEGA did the right thing: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds hits Switch 2 as a 64 GB physical cartridge

 

SEGA has confirmed that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will hit Nintendo Switch 2 not just as a digital download but as a full physical release, packing the entire game onto a single 64 GB cartridge. This marks a rare choice among third party publishers, who have increasingly leaned on smaller game key cards that require additional downloads to access full content. The move ensures fans can dive straight into the action without waiting on patches or keys, and it reaffirms Sega’s confidence in the title’s haul on Switch 2’s next gen hardware. Now Mario Kart World wil have real company.

The Switch 2 version will launch digitally during the Holiday 2025 window, before arriving in stores early 2026 in its physical form. Sega’s standard edition is priced at $69.99 USD, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $89.99 USD. Unlike earlier announcements, there will be no Limited Run Games Collector’s Edition for Switch 2, focusing instead on the base package and its seamless physical delivery.

This way, with a full 64 GB game card, Sega sidesteps the increasingly divisive game key card format that has frustrated many Nintendo players. Those cards essentially ship with empty cartridges and require nearly full downloads upon first use, turning what is marketed as a physical product into little more than a glorified voucher. CrossWorlds’ full game card is the kind of news we are waiting everyday to give you. 

For owners of the original Switch lineup standard, OLED, and Lite, Sega offers a $10 upgrade pack that carries over all purchased content and player progress to the Switch 2 version. This upgrade path bridges the gap between console generations, letting early adopters of CrossWorlds on Switch 1 seamlessly transition their racers, garage customizations, and unlocks to the new system without starting from scratch.

As we expected, the reaction from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many applauding Sega’s decision to buck the trend of minimal-capacity carts. Analysts suggest this could pressure other publishers to rethink their own physical-release strategies, especially as gamers grow increasingly vocal about the perceived nickel and diming of modern distribution methods. If more companies follow suit, we could see a resurgence in fully featured game cards for Switch 2 titles moving forward.

Beyond its physical format, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to debut on September 25, 2025, offering cross-play functionality that connects Switch 2 racers with friends on other platforms. With over 40 vehicles, 70 gadgets, and a wealth of customization options, Sega promises ongoing updates to keep the track fresh long after launch. As the early 2026 cartridge hits store shelves, Switch 2 owners will finally be able to experience the full base game straight out of the box, no waiting, no downloads, just pure Sonic speed delivered on a single 64 GB card.