AiAi is officially joining Sonic Racing CrossWorlds as part of a free update.
The beloved Super Monkey Ball character is bursting into the high-speed world of Sonic Racing along with new tracks, music, and a limited-time collaboration event.
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The now live update adds AiAi as a playable racer. Alongside this, a special Super Monkey Ball Festival collaboration event begins on February 13, 2026, giving players the chance to earn exclusive in-game rewards.
At the same time, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is available at 40% off for a limited time as part of the SEGA Year of the Horse sale.
AiAi rolls in with the Banana Cruiser
AiAi enters Sonic Racing in his signature machine, the Banana Cruiser, staying true to his Super Monkey Ball roots.
The free update also introduces four tracks from the Super Monkey Ball series, expanding the racing experience with familiar environments from the franchise.
Players can also visit the in-game Jukebox to set select tracks as background music during races.
New songs added
- “Race”
- “Menu Theme” (Jukebox only)
- “Jingle from Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble” (Jukebox only)
- “Banana Farm”
Super Monkey Ball Festival Event begins February 13
The collaboration continues with the Super Monkey Ball Festival, running from February 13, 2026 at 8am to February 16, 2026, 7:59am (GMT+8).
During the event, players must join one of three teams and compete to earn the most points. Each race includes different objectives, such as performing the most Touch Boosts or completing special challenges.
By earning Festival Points, players can unlock exclusive in-game items including:
- A new decal
- A horn
- Additional themed rewards
Important notes
- Festival-exclusive gadgets will become available in future updates.
- Alternative methods to obtain Festival rewards may be introduced later.
- Deleting save data will permanently erase Festival rewards. These cannot be reclaimed, so players should proceed with caution.
Free Shadow (Sakura) decal promotion
Players who log into Sonic Racing CrossWorlds between February 13 and February 27, 2026 will receive a free Shadow (Sakura) decal. This promotion is available across all platforms.
The decal becomes available starting March 19, 2026 at 8am (GMT+8).
Players can access the main menu from the title screen to claim it.
What is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds?
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds launched on September 25, 2025, across PlayStation5, PlayStation4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
Developed and published by SEGA, the title builds on the publisher’s long-running arcade racing legacy while introducing cross-world mechanics, customizable Machines and Gadgets, Grand Prix and Time Trial modes, and both online and local multiplayer — including wireless play for up to eight players on Nintendo Switch.
The game continues SEGA’s crossover racing tradition, a lineage that began with Sonic Drift in the 1990s before evolving into modern team-based entries like Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing and Team Sonic Racing.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds expands that formula by bringing in characters and music from across SEGA franchises, including this collaboration with Super Monkey Ball’s AiAi.
What is Super Monkey Ball?
Super Monkey Ball is a long-running SEGA franchise that debuted in 2001, originally developed by Amusement Vision and first released in arcades before launching on the Nintendo GameCube.
The series quickly became known for its unique physics-based gameplay, where players guide characters like AiAi inside transparent balls across floating stages filled with slopes, narrow platforms, moving obstacles, and time-based challenges.
Rather than traditional platforming, success depends on tilting the stage itself, demanding precision, balance, and quick reflexes.
Over the years, the franchise has expanded across multiple console and handheld platforms, introducing party modes, mini-games, and competitive multiplayer features.
