Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Update Adds Free Characters and SpongeBob DLC This Month

Just as SEGA is gearing up to launch Sonic Racing: Crossworlds on the Nintendo Switch 2, new free and paid DLC has been revealed ahead of the release. The Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel has revealed three new characters as part of the free updates, and we also have some information on the upcoming SpongeBob DLC coming this month.

Super Monkey Ball, SpongeBob, And Comic Book Characters

In chronological order, this is what we know so far about the upcoming season pass content:

SpongeBob SquarePants Pack

• Release Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19
• Price: Expected to be $6, based on the previous Minecraft pack pricing on the Switch eShop.
• Included Content:
  • SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star as playable characters
  • Bikini Bottom Course
  • Patty Wagon Vehicle
  • New music tracks inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Six unique emotes
• Season Pass: Included with the $30 Season Pass

NiGHTS

NiGHTS is a character from the Sega Saturn game NiGHTS Into Dreams. The game was definitely a product of its time, and an absolute fever dream of a title that never quite hit mainstream appeal.

• Release Date: December 2025
• Price: Free
• Included Content:
  • NiGHTS as a playable character
  • Dream Sleeper Vehicle

Super Monkey Ball

Originally titled Monkey Ball as an arcade game, Super Monkey Ball was a GameCube game published by Nintendo. This was one of the many popular titles that were released on Nintendo consoles after SEGA quit the home console market.

• Release Date: December 2025
• Price: Free
• Included Content:
  • AiAi as a playable character
  • Banana Cruiser Vehicle

Sonic IDW Comics

This is the home console game debut for comic book characters Whisper and Tangle. As part of the Tangle & Whisper comics, both of these characters are exclusive to comic book publisher IDW. 

• Release Date: January 2026
• Price: Free
• Included Content:
  • Tangle and Whisper as playable characters

Apart from all this upcoming content, we know from the CrossWorlds roadmap that Q1 of 2026 will see the launch of the Pac-Man and The Ghosts pack. In Q2, Mega Man and Proto Man will also join the roster. Later in 2026, we’ll also see characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Avatar Legends. SEGA is a bit more secretive about the free content drops, but if the track record is anything to go by, they will be adding at least one free character every month or so. Finally, if you own Sonic Racing CrossWorlds on the original Switch, you can get the upgrade pack for Switch 2 for $5 right now (Currently 50% off).