Initial D Veterans Provided The Drifting Physics For Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Although it’s not the new Initial D game hardcore JDM fans were hoping for, Sega has teamed up with veteran developers from the Initial D Arcade Stage series to fine-tune the handling and drifting in the upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
Image credit: Sega
Producer Ryuichi Taki and creative director Masaru Kohayakawa (who has spent nearly 20 years working on Initial D) say their experience was key to making CrossWorlds feel like a “real” racing game, including the drifting mechanics.
It explains why the cars are so sideways-happy in all the gameplay footage we’ve seen so far, delivering a modern twist on the ‘Sonic Drift’ we saw on Nintendo’s Game Boy in the ’90s.
Here’s the official tweet from the Initial D team confirming their involvement:
When using Google Translate, it becomes a little clearer!
As the September release date gets closer, plenty of gameplay videos have been dropping, showing off Mario and his friends, drift addictions:
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to launch on September 25, 2025, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with a Switch 2 version arriving in “Holiday 2025”.
At launch, CrossWorlds will feature 24 tracks with dimensional “CrossWorld” portals that shift races into alternate versions with unique modifiers. The starting roster includes 24 Sonic characters, with free monthly updates and crossover guests increasing that number to over 50.
On the track, players can choose between transforming karts (car/boat/plane) or hoverboards that focus on tricks and drift-based boosting. There’s also deep customization with over 45 vehicles, 100+ parts, gadgets, and cosmetic upgrades. Multiplayer supports 12-player online cross-play and 4-player split-screen.
With the unexpected collab, the Initial D team’s drifting expertise could help give Sonic the edge in Sega’s boldest attempt yet to go head-to-head with the reigning champ – Mario Kart.
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
