The upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has stirred up controversy among fans with its recent announcement of pre-order bonuses. While the game promises an exciting roster of characters from Sega's iconic franchise, the decision to include Sonic's Werehog transformation as exclusive content has left many players dissatisfied.

Scheduled for release later this year, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will feature not only classic Sonic characters but also crossover racers from popular titles like Persona 5, Yakuza, and Minecraft in post-launch DLC. However, it's the pre-order offerings that have become the center of attention.

The Werehog, originating from 2008's Sonic Unleashed, comes packaged with a special Beast Spike vehicle. While this might seem like a treat for fans of the original game, many are questioning why this content wasn't included in the base game, especially considering the $70 price tag.

Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have become battlegrounds for this debate. Fans argue that locking a character from the Sonic universe behind a pre-order wall while offering crossover characters as regular DLC seems counterintuitive. Some have gone as far as calling this move 'anti-consumer.'

Adding fuel to the fire is the Werehog's complete lack of voice acting in the game. Unlike other characters who engage in pre-race banter, the Werehog remains silent throughout gameplay. This stands in stark contrast to recent Sonic titles like Sonic X Shadow Generations, which featured high-profile voice talent like Keanu Reeves.

As of now, Sega has remained silent on these controversies. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to launch on September 25, 2025, for most major platforms, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version expected during the holiday season.