How to Use All Items in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds

Like most kart racers, *Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds* features item boxes that give players random power-ups. But with fast-paced racing, drifting, flying, and trips to different worlds, it can be tricky to figure out what each item does – especially if you’re new to *Sonic Racing* games.

This guide will teach you what every item in Sonic CrossWorlds does, how to use them effectively, and how to protect yourself when other players use them against you.

How To Use Items In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

To use an item, press:

Xbox: LB
PlayStation: L1
PC: Q
Switch: L

Players can also use the Left Stick on some items to determine whether they go ahead or behind.

You can only change which items you’re holding by using the Inventory Swap Gadget, which will show you the button to press. Usually, you can hold two items at a time, but the Inventory Plus Gadget lets you hold three.

All Normal Items In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Boost

Gain a burst of speed.

Each blue wisp gives you a speed boost. It’s best to use these boosts on straight sections of the track, rather than curves. You can also use them while driving off-road to take shortcuts, because the slower speed of the rough terrain doesn’t matter when you’re boosting.

Triple Boost

Gain a burst of speed. Can be used three times, and the final burst is the strongest.

Try to save the final burst, depicted by a crown, to cut a large corner.

Laser

Transform into a laser to dash forward along the charted path and pass Machines ahead.

Aim to finish the section with a tight turn, because the game won’t let you fall at this point – it will simply keep the challenge going longer.

Drill

Transform into a drill. Move automatically toward the finish line.

This is essentially Bullet Bill from Mario Kart. Move aside when other players use it.

Monster Truck

Transform into a Monster Truck. Crush Machines in your path.

You’re quicker, bigger, and can’t be hurt. It’s best to activate this ability when you’re surrounded by enemies. You can also save it to block incoming attacks.

Omochao

Creates a path of Rings. Pick them up to accelerate.

Collecting rings boosts your top speed. You can venture off the main path to utilize Omochao, and the rings you collect while doing so will grant you temporary invincibility.

Bonus Ring

Get the number of Rings shown in the icon.

Rings boost your top speed. Unlike power-ups from item boxes, you find these directly on the race track, so be sure to drive through them.

Homing Punch

Fire an attack that locks onto the Machine ahead.

I recently discovered that with Homing Punch, you can actually throw it backwards! It’s awesome for hitting enemies behind you or even knocking incoming projectiles off course. It honestly reminds me a lot of the Red Shell from Mario Kart – that same guided missile feeling!

Triple Homing Punch

Can use Homing Punch three times.

Don’t spam them and try to save at least one for defense.

Rocket Punch

Fire an attack that fires straight and bounces off walls. Becomes a homing attack when locked onto a target.

Lock on with a red circle before firing. Rocket Punch is depicted by green boxing gloves.

Triple Rocket Punch

Can use Rocket Punch three times.

Try not to spam them and save one for defensive purposes.

Slicer

An attack that locks onto the Machine ahead, cuts it in half, and makes the racer drop an item.

Keep an eye out for a red square appearing over an enemy – this indicates they’re vulnerable and can be attacked. After you damage a vehicle, it will take a few seconds to regain its full speed.

Bomb

Fire a bomb that travels in a straight line. It gets bigger and stronger the longer it’s held.

Try to use this on long straights and fully charge it. It’s one of the least reliable items.

King Boom Boo

Summon King Boom Boo to attack the Machine in 1st place.

King Boom Boo soars ahead of the leader and unleashes a massive blue wave, causing them to spin out of control. This attack can also affect other nearby racers, making it perfect for disrupting the frontrunners. Only a shield can protect against it.

Slime

Block the vision of all other Machines, slow them down, and make them drop all items.

Think about activating this feature when players reach challenging parts of the track where seeing clearly is crucial. It’s also a good idea to use it after a lot of players have collected items.

If you’re attacked, quickly rotate the Left Stick in a circle to clear away the slime. The Tornado, Void, and Shield abilities can also deflect it.

Weight

Drop weights on the machines in 1st and 2nd place, crushing them and making them drop 1 item.

This can be used from any distance. Weights can be deflected by the Shield and Tornado.

Dark Chao

Dark Chao forcibly grants items to all Machines. If they already have an item, a new item will be redrawn.

This affects the player using it, so if you have this item and something else you don’t want, or nothing else at all, it’s best to use it and try for better items.

Void

Sucks in Rings and item boxes from a distance. Negates some item attacks and course obstacles.

The void spawns around your machine.

Shield

Negates all attacks for a duration. Become harder to get knocked away when colliding with other Machines.

Like the gold star in Mario Kart, this makes you invincible and pushes other players away. It’s often best to hold onto it, particularly if you’re in the lead. Try to steer clear of other players who already have the shield activated.

Tornado

Create a tornado around the user, negating some incoming attacks. Deal damage to other Machines that come in contact while active.

Tornado halts all enemy actions except for King Boom Boo. Be careful to stay away from enemies surrounded by a tornado.

Spiked Iron Ball

Place a road hazard that deals damage on contact.

This item can be thrown in front of or behind opponents and will stop some projectiles that are flying low to the ground. It works a lot like the banana peels in *Mario Kart*. To use it effectively, place this trap in narrow spaces where players have no other way around, and where there aren’t any alternative routes they can take.

Magnet

Place a road hazard that draws in Machines around it.

It can be thrown ahead or behind. It will slow down players it catches.

Items become shorter in length as you move towards the beginning of the list. This stops players from holding onto defensive items for an extended period.

Gadet-Only Items In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

In *Sonic CrossWorlds*, you can only get certain items by having specific Gadgets equipped. These Gadgets work like special abilities and can affect how you race.

Other Gadgets improve some items, such as Giant Spiked Iron Ball.

Double Boost

Gain a burst of speed. Can be used twice.

You can get the Double Boost right away at the beginning of the game if you have the Double Boost Specialist Gadget. It gives you a quick start! Plus, while you have the Gadget equipped, the Double Boost will also show up in item boxes throughout the game.

Warp Ring

Warp to the Machine ahead and crush it.

You get this ability with the Warp Ring Specialist gadget. Don’t use it on someone who’s just a little bit ahead of you, unless you’re in second place. It’s better to pass a nearby opponent through normal racing, then use the Warp Ring to jump ahead to the next one. When you use this gadget, Warp Rings will also show up in item boxes.

2025-09-23 20:38