Ever since Super Mario Kart debuted in 1992, kart racing games, or as they’re sometimes called, mascot racers, have solidified their position as a prominent genre in both offline and online multiplayer gaming.
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but acknowledge that Mario Kart reigns supreme in the world of kart racing, but the competitive spirit within the gaming industry always pushes others to give it a run for its money. They’re never content with letting it hold the throne without a fight.
All kinds of publishers and licenses have taken cracks at the kart racing paradigm over the years.
Among several games, some turn out to be inexpensive and dull, yet a handful have distinguished themselves. Though they didn’t entirely unseat the plumber, they definitely made it challenging for him financially speaking.
10. Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
Wacky, Referential Fun
Similar to Nintendo, Sega boasts a vast library of intellectual properties and characters which aren’t always utilized. In 2010, the company thought, “Why don’t we gather them all for go-kart races?
In Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, characters hailing from different Sonic and SEGA series compete on tracks inspired by iconic SEGA video games.
In addition to familiar faces such as Ulala and AiAi, there are also less common characters like Zobio & Zobiko and the Bonanza Brothers.
Gameplay is the usual mix of items and drifting, though every character also has a unique All-Star.
These actions tend to propel you significantly ahead, often displacing opponents as you go.
9. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Less Wacky, More Mechanical
In contrast to the preceding game, two years later, Sega made a more daring attempt in the kart racing genre by releasing Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. It remains unclear as to why “Sega” was omitted from the title.
In contrast to its forerunner, what sets this game apart is the introduction of transformable vehicles as a key feature.
Given the track’s specifications, your vehicle might adapt to function as a boat or an airplane, featuring modified controls for smooth navigation.
Additionally, there’s a higher level of manual control, giving characters more precise attributes, and modifications adjusting the performance dynamics of the vehicles.
When it comes to characters, we have the SEGA legends along with numerous special guests, such as Danica Patrick, a renowned NASCAR driver, who surprisingly joins the roster too.
8. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Multiple Crash Racers In One
During the late 90’s and mid-2000’s, I found myself immersed in a series of thrilling kart racing games featuring Crash Bandicoot. While these games were consistently fun, the excitement waned as the franchise seemed to take a break.
In the latter part of the 2010s, however, Activision and Beenox made the decision to reconstruct the original game from scratch, resulting in the release of Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled.
This game not only features all the characters and tracks from the PlayStation 1 original, but it additionally includes characters and tracks from every Crash racer that followed, along with plenty of previously underutilized side characters as well.
Indeed, the majority of the characters are primarily found within a spinning in-game marketplace, which might feel somewhat disappointing, however, there’s a decent assortment of items to be obtained by engaging with the game’s extensive single-player storyline.
7. Diddy Kong Racing
The Original Racing Adventure
Regarding solo gaming experiences, it’s worth mentioning that Diddy Kong Racing from 1997 was the initial kart racing game to introduce single-player adventures. If you found yourself not in the mood for Mario Kart 64, this was the racer you’d opt for instead.
Back in its day, Diddy Kong Racing was among the first to introduce many ideas now common in contemporary racing games, such as the fusion of adventure elements and the ability to control several different vehicles.
Fun fact, this game also featured the first appearances of two of Rare’s mascots, Banjo and Conker.
In this revised version, the gameplay featured fewer drifts and fast maneuvers but offered a good amount of mischief with items. The fun part was that collecting multiple identical items would enhance their power.
6. LEGO Racers
Create-A-Kart
In almost every type of video game category, you’ll find that someone has tried to create a LEGO version of it. The LEGO interpretation for kart racing is the game called LEGO Racers, which came out in 1999.
As you’d expect from a LEGO game, customization takes a big role here.
Construct your personal racer and go-kart using innovative LEGO composite blocks; triumphs at the Grand Prix grant access to extra customization packs.
This version maintains the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language, focusing on a conversational tone that is accessible to a broader audience.
In this game, the item collection method was innovative, categorizing pickups by different colors. If you collected an item block first, followed by a white boost block, you could enhance the item’s level up to three times.
5. Mickey’s Speedway USA
Mouse On The Move
After wrapping up Diddy Kong Racing, I found myself diving back into the high-octane world of racing – but this time, teaming up with Disney!
The outcome was Mickey’s Speedway USA from the 2000s, where Mickey Mouse embarked on a cross-country adventure with his pals.
In my perspective, this game felt remarkably similar to Mario Kart 64 when it comes to gameplay, focusing heavily on the strategic use of items and mastering the art of drifting. What truly stood out for me was the diversity of the tracks, which were cleverly designed to resemble iconic cities across the United States.
An intriguing aspect of this game is the integration of collecting coins, which serves to boost your pace as you accumulate them.
In a twist, Super Mario Kart introduced an element that the series later left untouched until Mario Kart 7. One might say Mickey Mouse held onto it in reserve for them.
4. Nightmare Kart
It Could’ve Been Yours, Sony
Nightmare Kart is a downright bizarre game in the best way.
Initially conceptualized as “Bloodborne Kart,” a fan project by the creators of the Bloodborne PSX demake, the game was about to launch when Sony intervened with a cease and desist order. Subsequently, the lone developer made some adjustments, resulting in a new version that is now distinct from the original under copyright law.
Nightmare Kart utilizes a combination of classic kart racing mechanics and Soulslike trappings.
On the trail, you’ll find various weapons and useful items. However, your character also has health and endurance gauges, along with soul fragments that you lose when you die, which can be collected.
In addition to conventional racing options, the game offers a solo arcade-like journey with elements such as battles against foes that seem oddly reminiscent of certain creatures and villains.
3. Kirby Air Ride
Rule The Track, Cruise The City
In his series, Kirby doesn’t participate in many races, however, his iconic Warp Star provides an excellent starting platform for such events. It was this feature that led to the creation of Kirby Air Ride in 2003.
As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you, Kirby Air Ride offers three main ways to play. The first one that grabbed my attention is the Air Ride mode – it’s like a regular kart race but with a twist! Instead of picking up power-ups, I collect Copy Abilities to give my character unique skills during the race.
1. In the second game mode, it’s called City Trial, which features four competitors navigating a vast map in search of power-ups.
2. For the third game mode, we have Top Ride, a condensed, bird’s-eye view racing experience.
In addition to its extensive range of content, what sets this game apart is its unique control mechanism. The spaceship you select will move forward on its own, but pressing ‘A’ enables you to slow down, perform drifts, and build up speed for a powerful boost.
2. Snowboard Kids 2
No Karts, All Mischief
It’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily need karts to make a kart racer.
It’s likely because it goes by another nickname called “Mascot Racer,” but that moniker remains quite apt, as it was indeed suitable when referring to Snowboard Kids 2 in 1999.
Without a motor, you can generate speed on your snowboard by leaping and executing stunts. Performing these tricks will net you cash, a necessity for obtaining items from the boxes scattered across the tracks.
As someone who’s deeply immersed in this game, I can’t stress enough the importance of staying alert because, unlike other games with manual acceleration, here a single shot is all it takes to bring me down hard, instantly halting my progress.
1. Team Sonic Racing
If You’re Gonna Drift, Do It With Friends
After a prolonged absence from the world of racing following Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, Sega re-entered the scene in 2019 with Team Sonic Racing. It’s unfortunate that more Sega characters didn’t make an appearance, but given the circumstances, it wasn’t completely unexpected.
What differentiates this game from its contemporaries is right in the title: teams.
Instead of racing alone, you participate in a trio where team members can exchange items and create trails for one another.
Regardless of whether you come first in the race, if your team members don’t manage to keep up, you’ll miss out on higher average scores because everyone’s points are combined. Therefore, it’s essential that we all collaborate and support each other.
Collaborative efforts can likewise boost your Ultimate ability gauge, especially when it comes to saving your team from the brink of defeat with a sudden surge of swiftness.
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2025-01-23 18:39