Welcome! Today we’re counting down our picks for the best kart racing games that you should check out.
And without further ado, let’s dive right in.
#25. SRB2Kart (Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart)
- Release Date: 2018
- Platform: PC
Alright, now this Mario Kart ripoff is a kart racing mod for Sonic Robo Blast 2, which itself is a fan-made platformer built on the Doom engine. It’s highly respected by the hardcore kart racing community, especially by old guys who grew up playing kart racers.
Not only that, players can run their own servers and use mods directly on their PCs. That said, the engine isn’t the best, and some people do experience lag and other issues. But still, it’s free to download, and there are tons of mods available. So yeah, you should definitely check it out.
#24. Dr. Robotnik’s Ring Racers
- Release Date: 2024
- Platform: PC
Now, this one is basically the sequel to the previous game I mentioned, but this time, it’s much more difficult. Yes, you heard that right—this one is significantly harder to play. And that means a lot of fans of SRB2Kart won’t be able to enjoy this one.
However, for actual hardcore kart racers, this game will definitely satisfy their itch for a more challenging experience. So yeah, finally, these basement dwellers can flex their skills and pretend it’s some kind of meaningful achievement.
In short, if you hate childish kart racers, this one’s for you.
#23. F1 Race Stars
- Release Date: 2012
- Platform: PC
Okay, this one is basically F1 Mario Kart, and yeah—it was a blast back then, and honestly, it’s still fun today. You’ve got exaggerated drivers, power-ups, goofy tracks, and pure arcade chaos, all wrapped in official Formula 1 branding.
However, the one thing kart racing fans still complain about is the lack of a proper drifting mechanic. I mean, adding that would’ve been insane. But yeah, I get it—it’s F1, and drifting isn’t exactly part of the sport. Anyway, the game was never ported to modern platforms, but you can actually still get it through Steam key websites.
#22. Chocobo GP
- Release Date: 2022
- Platform: SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Okay, this game had a rough launch, and yeah, a lot of the hate was deserved—I mean, those microtransactions rubbed everyone the wrong way. But here’s the part people forget: a year later, it was re-released with the full content unlocked, no live-service nonsense attached. And yes, the game itself is actually very decent.
It’s a solid, very serviceable kart racer with its own personality. And sure, it’s not Mario Kart, and it’s competing on the same console, which is a tough spot to be in. But it brings a unique flavor, especially if you’re a Final Fantasy fan.
#21. Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
- Release Date: 2010
- Platform: PC
Now, this game tends to get overlooked, mostly because its sequel, Transformed, dropped just two years later and stole all the spotlight. And yeah, it’s not as good as the sequel since it doesn’t have crazy vehicle transformations and has less variety overall. But that doesn’t mean this game is bad.
I mean, it’s still a really fun kart racer with solid tracks and classic Sega fan service. And let’s be real, the real highlight here is the announcer. That energetic, over-the-top commentary is pure charm, and honestly, nothing in the sequels ever topped that.
#20. Oh Baby! Kart
- Release Date: 2024
- Platform: PC
Alright, now this is one of the newest indie kart racers out there, and it’s already doing a lot of things right. The dev is super active on Discord, which is always a good sign, especially for a small indie project.
The game feels like Mario Kart at first, but the drifting mechanics make it feel like Crash Team Racing at times too. And as expected, once you’ve mastered the drifting, it’s hard to go back to casual kart racing.
Oh, and it’s free to play. So yeah, definitely try this one.
#19. Super Indie Karts
- Release Date: 2015
- Platform: PC
Okay, just like SRB2Kart, this one is clearly made for people who grew up playing old-school kart racers in the 80s or 90s.
I mean, the visuals, the music, the simplicity—it’s all designed to bring you back to that carefree era when your biggest problem was missing a shortcut, not paying bills. And honestly, it nails that vibe really well.
So yeah, give it a try and enjoy the nostalgia trip. Just don’t forget that when you turn the game off, you’re no longer a kid—now you’re a balding dude with responsibilities waiting for you.
#18. DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing
- Release Date: 2023
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Now, let’s be honest, the driving and track design in this game are pretty average at best. The real selling point here, however, is the DreamWorks brand itself. You’re playing this to race as Shrek, Megamind, and a bunch of other familiar faces, and that’s totally fine.
So yeah, this game isn’t made for hardcore kart racing enthusiasts who obsess over drifting lines and item strategies. It’s more of an okay-ish, casual experience meant for fans of the movies and characters. So, if your expectations aren’t that high, you’ll have fun with this one.
#17. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway
- Release Date: 2022
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Alright, now this one is pretty much in the same boat as the DreamWorks kart game. You’re not here for deep kart racing mechanics—you’re here because you want to race as SpongeBob, the Ninja Turtles, or other Nickelodeon icons. And that’s perfectly fine.
The racing itself is super accessible, simple, and easy to pick up, which makes it great to play with kids. However, I know most of you watching are in your 30s or 40s and just want to feel like a kid again. So yeah, get this and play it alone for old times’ sake.
#16. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix
- Release Date: 2020
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Now this one is very similar to its sequel, but funnily enough, a lot of people agree that this one is much more optimized. That alone makes it more appealing. The downside, though, is the lack of voice acting, which can be a real buzzkill—especially if you grew up watching these cartoons and expect them to sound like, well, themselves.
And gameplay-wise, it’s pretty simple and straightforward, nothing too deep or technical. So if you’re not a kart racing enthusiast and just want a casual game with familiar Nickelodeon characters, it does the job without causing too many headaches.
#15. Team Sonic Racing
- Release Date: 2019
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Alright, now this game is always labeled as the downgrade, especially when people compare it to Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, which was crowned the best in the series for years—at least until CrossWorlds finally dropped in 2025.
And yeah, compared to those two, this one feels smaller and more focused on team mechanics. But, if you just want a solid Sonic kart racer that’s available on basically all modern platforms, this one still gets the job done.
That said, let’s not pretend otherwise—CrossWorlds is the hottest thing right now, and that’s where most fans are heading.
#14. Disney Speedstorm
- Release Date: 2023
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Okay, this game gets trashed a lot, mostly by people who see “free-to-play” and start foaming at the mouth about microtransactions. And yeah, the complaints aren’t completely wrong. But here’s the thing—if you’re actually a Disney fan, this game is genuinely fun.
The characters feel great, the tracks are colorful, and the racing itself is fast and chaotic in a good way. Plus, it’s available on all modern platforms and supports full crossplay, which makes it super easy to race with friends… assuming you have any. Anyway, ignore the drama, manage expectations, and it becomes a solid kart racer.
#13. Garfield Kart: Furious Racing
- Release Date: 2019
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
This is, without a doubt, the best kart racing game in history. Hell, I could even say it’s one of the best inventions of the modern era. If any of your friends say this game is garbage, get them to see a psychologist, because clearly they’re not thinking straight.
I mean, just look at it for yourself. Even Nintendo tried to copy it by creating the Mario Kart series, only to fail miserably. And mark my words, one day, this game will be in the history books, marking the advancement of humanity thousands of years from now.
#12. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
- Release Date: 2020
- Platform: SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Okay, now this is easily the most unique game on this list. You’re not just racing on a screen—you’re literally turning your living room into a Mario Kart track using real RC karts and cardboard gates. But of course, that uniqueness comes at a price, because this isn’t a cheap game by any means.
And on top of that, you’ll need a pretty good imagination to fully enjoy it. Still, that’s kind of the charm. It’s creative, different, and honestly magical for the right audience, especially kids. Overall, this is a perfect gift for birthdays or Christmas.
#11. Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure
- Release Date: 2021
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Now, this game comes from a series that was originally built for mobile, and yeah, you can definitely feel that DNA. But that doesn’t automatically make it bad. As long as you know what you’re getting, this game is actually pretty enjoyable.
The controls are simple, the races are funny, and everything is bright and easy to understand. Just don’t go in expecting the depth of Mario Kart or the skill ceiling of Crash Team Racing—because that’s not what this is.
This one is a very accessible casual kart racer, especially for kids or if you’re playing with one.
#10. The Karters 2: Turbo Charged
- Release Date: 2025
- Platform: PC
Finally, this game is basically the answer to everyone asking for a PC version of Crash Team Racing. I mean, just look at it—it’s heavily inspired by it, and the developers aren’t even hiding it. The Steam page straight-up says it’s inspired by Crash Team Racing, and yeah, it shows.
The real magic, though, is the mod support. With tons of community mods, you can practically recreate the full Crash Team Racing experience, especially once you start installing the maps. Overall, this one isn’t for casual players—it’s for kart racing enthusiasts who want depth, skill-based driving, and endless content.
#9. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
- Release Date: 2012
- Platform: PC, XSX/S, X1
This title was the Sonic racing game for years. Back then, if someone asked for a great kart racer, this was always the answer—especially before the Crash Team Racing remake released. I mean, it nailed all the aspects of what makes a kart racing game great.
And for a long time, this was the gold standard people wouldn’t shut up about, and honestly, for good reason. And sure, now fans are slowly migrating to the newer game, but let’s not rewrite history. Transformed left a massive mark, and a lot of people still hold it close to their hearts.
#8. Kirby Air Riders
- Release Date: 2025
- Platform: SWITCH 2
Okay, this game is basically the Super Smash Bros. of kart racing. It’s chaotic, fast, and packed with randomness, which is exactly why it split fans right down the middle.
You either love it, or you hate it because it’s not Mario Kart. There’s no constant drifting, no item-heavy chaos—just pure momentum, power-ups, and madness.
And honestly, that’s the point. It does its own thing, and it does it well. Still, I won’t pretend it’s for everyone. This one’s definitely niche. But if you were a fan of the original, yeah… you’re going to love this.
#7. Blur
- Release Date: 2010
- Platform: PC
Alright, this was the go-to split-screen racing game back when the PS3 ruled the console world. Back then, if you wanted chaotic couch multiplayer, this was it.
And sure, it doesn’t have cute karts or cartoon characters, but let’s be honest—it checks all the kart racing boxes. You’ve got weapons, power-ups, boosts, shields, and pure combat chaos at high speed. That alone earns it a spot on this list.
Also, the racing is fast, aggressive, and perfect for trash-talking friends on the couch. So yeah, it may not look like a traditional kart racer, but it absolutely belongs here.
#6. Mario Kart 64
- Release Date: 1996
- Platform: SWITCH 2, SWITCH
This is the game that popularized kart racing as we know it today. And now, thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, you can actually play it again on your Switch without dusting off your old N64. But, let’s be honest—it’s absolutely outdated. It came out in 1996, after all.
And yes, the controls are janky, the visuals are rough, and the physics are… questionable. But it’s still playable, especially if you grew up with it back when you still had hair.
Overall, this one isn’t about perfection—it’s about nostalgia. And for that reason alone, it deserves a revisit.
#5. Nightmare Kart
- Release Date: 2024
- Platform: PC
Okay, this is one of those games that feels like it shouldn’t exist, but somehow does. Originally, it was straight-up called Bloodborne Kart before the name got changed for very obvious copyright reasons.
But make no mistake, the Souls DNA is still all over it. This is basically kart racing mixed with Souls-like vibes, weird lore, and yes—actual story elements. Because why not? It’s dark, it’s strange, and it takes itself just seriously enough to work.
And the best part? It’s free to play. So yeah, there’s no reason not to try this gothic, unhinged kart racer.
#4. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
- Release Date: 2019
- Platform: PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Now, this is my personal favorite kart racing game of all time, and yeah, I’m not even trying to be humble about it. I’ve played this thing so much that I rarely lose, and I’ve basically memorized every shortcut on every track—well, only the classic ones honestly.
But, if you don’t master the drifting mechanics and memorize the shortcuts, this game will destroy you. And I mean it. The skill ceiling here is insanely high for a kart racer, which is exactly why it’s so good. Put in the time, and nothing else even comes close.
#3. Mario Kart World
- Release Date: 2025
- Platform: SWITCH 2
This is the hottest Mario Kart game right now, simply because it dropped recently and everyone’s talking about it. Of course, the old hardcore fans will still swear Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is untouchable—and yeah, they’re not completely wrong.
But if you’re actually willing to try something new, this is where Nintendo is pushing the series forward. And the open world lets you drive around freely between races, kind of like Crash Team Racing’s hubs but on a much bigger scale.
So if you’re done playing it safe, Mario Kart World is the one to jump into right now.
#2. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Release Date: 2025
- Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, X1, SWITCH 2, SWITCH
Finally, this is the game that finally dethrones Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed after all these years. And it’s not just hype—the user reviews make that pretty clear. A lot of people are straight-up calling this the Mario Kart killer, and for once, that claim doesn’t sound completely crazy.
The tracks are wild, the racing is chaotic, and the Sega fan service is on point. If you grew up with Sega IPs, this game feels like a victory lap. So yeah, whether you’re tired of Mario Kart or just want something fresh, CrossWorlds is an absolute must-play.
#1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Release Date: 2017
- Platform: SWITCH 2, SWITCH
This title was the Mario Kart game for years, right up until Mario Kart World finally showed up. A lot of old-school fans who’ve dumped hundreds—if not thousands—of hours into this game will still tell you it’s better. And maybe they’re right… or maybe it’s just hard to let go of something you’ve mastered for years.
Either way, this game is still ridiculously polished, packed with content, and insanely fun. Plus, let’s be practical—if you don’t own a Switch 2 yet, this is still your Mario Kart. So yeah, it hasn’t gone anywhere.
So, do you agree with our picks?
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