This article has a talk page!This page details one or more prototype versions of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
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Before Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was released, Sega released two public beta tests: a closed network test for general feedback and an open network test for crossplay testing. Both of these builds have many changes from the final release (especially the Closed Network Test). The closed network test is notable for being limited to the PlayStation 5. A demo was released 8 days before the final release.
General#
Closed Network Test#
- Offline races of any sort (Time Attack, Grand Prix, etc.) are not available.
- Festivals are not here.
- Friend List and Extras don't appear.
- Many gadgets, vehicle parts, and characters aren't available.
- Certain button presses that bring up options (Remove, View Player, Stats, etc) are not colored in.
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Open Network Test#
- Time Attack and Grand Prix are the only offline modes available.
- The only cup available offline is the Donpa Grand Prix. The Wisp and Boom Boo Grand Prix are only available online.
- A Joker Festival was held for 1 day, instead of the usual 3 days like the final.
- Many gadgets, vehicle parts, and characters aren't available.
- Friendships and Jukebox aren't selectable in the Extras menu.
Demo#
- The demo is basically the final version but with a bunch of locked features.
- Many gadgets, vehicle parts, and characters aren't available.
- Grand Prix and Time Attack are the only modes available
- Friendships and Jukebox aren't selectable in the Extras menu.
- Many gadgets, vehicle parts, and characters aren't available.
Menu Differences#
Main Menu#
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test |
Demo |
Final |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Closed Network Test main menu only has Online available to the player, featuring an earlier preview image. Additionally, the background is devoid of NPCs and banners. The options on the left appear to have smaller graphics lacking the scrolling text, and "Character & Machines" is using a placeholder Sonic emblem. The Open Network Test main menu closely resembles the final version, except for the distinct icon that appears for preordering the game, which is also present in the demo.
Character Selection#
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test |
Demo |
Final |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
While the Open Network Test and Demo menu is virtually identical to the final release (besides the many locked characters, question marks and the COMING SOON text for the Open Network Test), the Closed Network Test has a bunch of changes. For instance:
- The text displaying the racer's name is blue instead of black.
- It doesn't show the racer's stat type.
- The "Parameters" (now called "Stats") setting is with the rest of the options at the bottom.
- The racer and vehicle preview is slightly bigger.
- The menu uses old renders as placeholders.
- And so many more...! text to tease upcoming characters.
Gadget Menu#
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
 |
 |
The Open Network Test, demo and final version share the same Gadget Menu (with some gadgets being unavailable). The Gadget Menu in the Closed Network Test is much simpler, using a slightly bigger table with smaller yet more simplified graphics for the gadgets. Also, the "Parameters" (now called "Stats") option is not included due to stat modifier gadgets not being implemented yet.
Vehicle Customization Menu#
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
 |
 |
- Horns and Auras are not available in the Closed Network Test.
- An unknown 6th page is shown in the Closed Network Test.
- Decal were once called Stickers.
- "Parameters" (now called "Stats") option is in a different place.
- The "Remove" option appears even if there's no Sticker in the selected slot.
- Icons for the stat types did not appear in the Closed Network Test.
Online Lobby#
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Final |
|---|---|
 |
 |
- The Closed Network Test main menu icons on the left are still present
- The Closed Network Test uses 2D graphics for the cheering Chaos, as seen in the races. The Open Network Test and final release main menu uses 3D models.
Available Racing Content#
Characters#
Character |
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test |
Demo |
|---|---|---|---|
Sonic |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tails |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Knuckles |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Amy |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Shadow |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Omega |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Dr. Eggman |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Cream |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Zazz |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Jet |
No |
Yes |
No |
Wave |
No |
Yes |
No |
Storm |
No |
Yes |
No |
Joker |
No |
Yes |
No |
Tracks#
Track |
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test |
Demo |
|---|---|---|---|
E-Stadium |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Metal Harbor |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Ocean View |
Yes |
No |
No |
Rainbow Garden |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Water Palace |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Wonder Museum |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Colorful Mall |
No |
Yes |
No |
Apotos |
No |
Yes |
No |
Wonder Museum |
No |
Yes |
No |
Mystic Jungle |
No |
Yes |
No |
Sand Road |
No |
Yes |
No |
Dinosaur Jungle (Crossworld) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Roulette Road (Crossworld) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Magma Planet (Crossworld) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Kraken Bay (Crossworld) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Sky Road (Crossworld) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dragon Road (Crossworld) |
No |
Yes |
No |
Holoska (Crossworld) |
No |
Yes |
No |
Machine Parts#
Machine |
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test |
Demo |
|---|---|---|---|
Speedster Lightning (Speed) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dark Reaper (Speed) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Retro Future (Speed) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Mirage Blade (Speed) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Arsène Wing (Speed) |
No |
Yes |
No |
Whirlwind Sport (Acceleration) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Jumble Rage (Acceleration) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Hyper Scorpion (Acceleration) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Pawn Caliber (Acceleration) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Pink Cabriolet (Handling) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Little Lady (Handling) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Victoria Carriage (Handling) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Lip Spyder (Handling) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Moto Beetle (Handling) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Land Smasher (Power) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross Dozer (Power) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Road Dragoon (Power) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Fang Loader (Power) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Beat Gator (Power) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Egg Drillster Mk.II (Power) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
TYPE-J Iota (Boost) |
No |
Yes |
Yes~ |
TYPE-S Stream (Boost) |
No |
Yes |
Yes~ |
TYPE-W Windy (Boost) |
No |
Yes |
Yes~ |
Quad Copter (Boost) |
No |
Yes |
No |
~ Was later available in a March 19th 2026 patch update for the demo version
Gadgets Changes#
In the Closed Network Test, many gadgets have different names, descriptions and icons.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
|
- Add Warp Ring was renamed to Warp Ring Specialist.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
|
- Giant Rocket Punch got an expanded description.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
|
- Item Stock Swap was renamed to Inventory Swap and got a smaller description.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
- Item Stock Plus was renamed to Inventory Plus and got an expanded description.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
- Ring Limit UP was renamed to 200 Ring Limit.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
- Lv1 Quick Charge got an altered description and costed 1 gear slot instead of 2.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
- Runoff Bonus was renamed to Runoff Bounty and got an expanded description.
|
Closed Network Test |
Open Network Test/Demo/Final |
|---|---|
|
- Item Attack Ring Bonus was renamed to Item Attack Bounty and got an altered description.
In-Game Differences (Closed Network Test)#
Lighting#
The Closed Network Test uses Unreal Engine 5's [https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/lumen-global-illumination-and-reflections-in-unreal-engine. Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections]. This makes the Closed Network Test have better lighting and reflections than the final release, which utilizes baked lightmaps/shadowmaps and screen-space reflections. This may have been cut for performance-related reasons.
|
Closed Network Test |
Final(PS5) |
|---|---|
|
|
|
Closed Network Test |
Final(PS5) |
|---|---|
|
|
HUD#
Ring Counter#
The ring counter above the speedometer turned gold and didn't radiate when it had 100+ rings, unlike the final.
|
Closed Network Test |
Final(PS5) |
|---|---|
|
|
Hit Animation#
Hitting another racer shows a unique animation unlike the final.
|
Closed Network Test |
Final(PS5) |
|---|---|
|
|
Items#
Omochao, Dark Chao, Monster Truck, Boost, King Boom Boo, and Bomb have different renders on the item roulette.
Omochao
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
Dark Chao
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
Monster Truck
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
Boost
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
King Boom Boo
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
Bomb
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
Character Animations#
Results#
When getting 2nd or 3rd place, [https://youtu.be/AVOGtL9QeV0?t=974. there is a unique animation], when the final game reuses the 1st place animation.
|
Closed Network Test |
Final |
|---|---|
|
|
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