Racing Games of 2025: A Nostalgic Trip for Fans of a Bygone Era

Players were buzzing with excitement when, out of nowhere, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds popped up at the 2024 Game Awards. Like, who saw that coming? I mean, rumors were swirling like crazy, but then Nintendo goes, “Surprise!” and drops the news about a fresh Mario Kart for Switch 2, slated for January. It’s like, bam! You’re getting not one but two mega racing games. Just tiny teaser announcements, sure, but the anticipation? Off the charts. People started losing their minds when Sonic Racing promised the return of EX Gear, and Mario Kart World teased an open-world vibe. I could almost hear the collective jaw drop when Kirby Air Riders slipped into the Nintendo Direct as the cherry on top.

If you’re into racing games, this was your golden moment. Three major titles in 2025, all lined up and ready to rev our engines. Honestly, some fans felt like kids in a candy store, just spoiled silly. The cross-ties between these games? Let me tell you, it’s like a dream come true for old-school GameCube lovers out there. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Kirby Air Riders, and Mario Kart World—all dropping in the same year? Somebody pinch me. It’s a GameCube renaissance or something. If you squint, anyway.

So, weirdly, all these racers have roots in GameCube classics. Kirby Air Riders, literally a sequel to Kirby Air Ride, a good 22 years later! Like, what even? Sakurai is back in action, which screams quality, right? His touch practically guarantees something stellar. On the flip side, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is grabbing the best bits from the Sonic racing archives, mixing it all up with a nod to Sonic Riders’ EX Gear. It’s not been touched since the Kinect’s Sonic Free Riders. Feels like forever ago. We all loved that wild, dizzying ride from the original Sonic Riders, and CrossWorlds is aiming to crank up that nostalgia level. Anyone else getting goosebumps?

And, oh, Mario Kart World—it doesn’t miraculously reconnect with Double Dash, but still, the timing is wild, isn’t it? Could Nintendo’s heads be cooking up some online GameCube magic along with it? I mean, they gotta throw Double Dash in there sometime, right? Especially with the new Switch 2 on the block. Anyway—wait, where was I heading with this?

Ah, yeah. 2025’s lineup—it’s like a friendly showdown among legends. Sonic, Kirby, and Mario fans all get their slice of the fun pie. Naturally, each game will find its crowd. Mario Kart World’s practically the poster child of kart racing and bundles with Switch 2, adding instant street cred. Sonic Racing’s broad appeal across platforms is sure to hook even those sidestepping Mario and Kirby. Kirby Air Riders, though? Bit trickier spot there, as the Kirby vibes have evolved since the old days. Wonder if Sakurai’s got a few surprises hidden up his sleeve.

Whatever the case, die-hard fans are gonna be feasting. Kirby fans especially—they’ve had a dry spell long enough, wouldn’t you say? Everyone’s got their favorite, but those who can’t pick just one? Man, they’re in for a treat. High-speed action until your thumbs are sore. And hey, with these powerhouse characters holding the wheel, lacking in thrills? Not a chance.