This guide is here to give you simple guidelines to help you figure out things about the game.

This is NOT a cheat sheet, this is NOT a "do this and GG" guide.
The game is complex, has nuances for every track and every build.
Therefore, PLEASE experiment with the content included in this guide.

EDIT: So, actually, there's one "best" way to play the game. Scroll down, read through, test it and you'll see for yourself.

That being said, here are a few tips to lead you the right way.

• [07/10/2025] Added the questionable universal build, which is just better than any set of gadgets you can think of.
  Edited Gadgets recommendation, kept the old one in case you wanna have fun.
  
• [02/10/2025] Several basic driving tips added.
  Video for snaking & GIFs for all major techs added.
  All remaining S-Rank requirements added.
  Chapters reorganised.
  Techs per track coming soon (after my holidays, back 19/10), please be patient!

Snaking, literally going in an S-shape around the track, will help you charge your boost constantly even during downtime.

Drift right, release, drift left, release.
If you're running counter-steer boost, charge a level 2 or even 3.

More boost = more speed, maths are fast.

But here is a comparison video with equivalent gadget slots used, if you need facts.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4J5gMcYhI0


Are you wondering why you can't charge that boost gauge fast enough, even with the same build as the replays you're watching?

The answer is: Soft Drifting.

Instead of holding a direction while drifting, try releasing any directional input while drifting.
Your drift gauge will charge much faster than counter-steering.

This technique can be used on every single straight line or soft turns. You'll still turn, you'll get more boost than counter-steering, it's just... better.

Taking sharp turns while steering the same way as your drift will always be faster. As everything, it's all about adaptability. Add this to your driving skills, and you'll instantly see improvements.
(Can't really showcase this one with a video, so you'll have to try it out by yourself)



Hard turn right after a jump? Try drifting before that jump, you'll turn much sharper.

Some jumps may feel slow or have some downtime after your initial trick boost. When that happens, charging the drift before taking off will let you land with a pre-charged level 1 (or even 2) drift boost.

Careful, this does not work on all jumps.



Any "autoscroller" jump (the ones where your vehicle follows a path that links to the other side of the track, either really high or really low) will most likely break your drift charge. You'll learn which ones can or cannot be jump drifted by experimenting.


Showcase (on Timestamp, 31:46):
https://youtu.be/e1D_BAEOqBw?si=WVy_7mGTdsjJ-iCl&t=1906


If you're hitting the edges of the road in a drift, you are most likely holding your drift for too long.

Drift boosts are a good way to correct that trajectory if you're about to slide out because of a wide drift.
It sure is painful to release your drift earlier than expected, but keeping these 100 rings while taking a tighter turn is much more valuable in the long run.

Common examples would be Wonder Museum's spiral climb, where you most likely end up on the outside line when you didn't intend to. Release your drift earlier, hold left stick, and you'll keep that beautiful inside line with good speed.

• Keep drift boosting when using mushrooms speed wisps. Yes, you're gaining speed on top of the item boost.
  
  
• When flying, Boost Lv.1 is faster than Lv.2 if you're going on a straight line. Alternate L/R drifts and release on Lv.1 to keep the best possible line while always boosting.
  Use Lv.2 whenever the air track has a turn.
  
  
• Your Water Boosts should ALWAYS be Lv.2. This allows you to trick once (twice with Trick Adept/Expert). Lv.1 is to be used only if you need a small boost before setting up for a full Lv.3 sharp turn. As such, Lv.3 is only used after a sharp turn.
  
  
• Charging Lv.2 instead of Lv.1 on straight road is debatable. Don't feel pressured to drift switch if you can't do it, that's not a major time loss (difference as far as I tested is milliseconds, depends on the sharpness of the turn, if you can soft drift, etc...).
  
  
• Do not press the brake input constantly if you need to take a sharp turn. The best way to turn during a drift is to release the acceleration button. Hold your drift, you'll keep most of your speed while being able to turn much sharper.
  Of course, brake if you really need it, but only use light taps.
  
  
• You have air control during jumps and tricks. Holding your stick in one direction will make you turn that way, even mid-air. Don't shake that stick all around to hope for tricks, hold it where you want to go, and you'll trick while turning.

Forget about character differences, Gadgets will actually make significant changes on your racing times.

There are plenty of gadgets, and most of them are useful.
While there's no clear winner so far, here is a list of good ones you will always rely on.

There is a best in slot for Gadgets. Whichever track you wanna hunt, the same set of gadgets will be used. Here it is:




You're still here, so you most likely want to have fun, and actually race for your S-ranks.
Well, here is the entire list of what was once the best Gadgets you could use!

Here's the best plate you can use for any track. Good on all main tracks, extremely good on all CrossWorlds.
Just adapt it a little bit. If you don't trick much, slap something else that gains rings.

The bottom row always stays.
That build bores me to death and killed my interest in Time Trial. For example, the S-rank for White Cave can be obtained without drifting or using any item. The World Record line doesn't drift a single time.



- Ring Gain Boost
- RIng Gain Mini Boost
- Anything else that gives rings.


Don't care. Speed vehicle if you don't drift much, Boost vehicle if you do.


Doesn't matter. Just max out your speed, or boost if you're drifting. That's it.

So, I know why you're here.
I know what you want. You want the best build ever.

I'll keep telling you to adapt your gadgets/vehicles for Time Trials during this entire guide, but... truth is, you can clear all S-Ranks with the exact same build.

Check out my compilation of all main tracks S-rank with this build here:
[CrossWorlds Tracks coming soon]


It's stupid, some S-Ranks are brutal (hi Metal Harbor), but 90% of the tracks are quite easy with this kit.
I did it, so you can certainly do it as well.

- Air Trick Expert (Technique Upgrade)
- Air Trick Bounty (Ring Gain)
- Drift Charge Kit (Standard)

I told you this was a stupid build, didn't I?

Front: Dark Reaper
Back: Speedster Lightning
Wheels: Dark Reaper

Yes, these are default parts. Did I tell you I was really stupid?

Just pick a speed character. Blaze is the correct pick though.

I would've never thought I would write an entire guide for a Sonic game, yet here we are :v

Enjoy the game. Have fun. Experiment with builds and tracks.

Instead of fishing for award points, I'd rather have you rate the game on Steam directly.
Guide ratings are appreciated if it helped you, but please show your support to the devs instead.