[b]KAMGUSTA's REVIEW[/b]
I know you want to know everything about the "Mario Karts" games on STEAM and how they compare. So here we go!
[b][i]GARFIELD[/i][/b]
[b]Garfield Kart[/b] (2015). [b]Avoid[/b].
The first of the franchise, bare-bones and without multiplayer. Poor gameplay.
[b]Garfield Kart - Furious Racing[/b] (2019). [b]Good enough if really on budget[/b].
The remake, with multiplayer and proper joypad support. While it does not have anything fancy nor refined graphics and mechanics, it's a viable subpar clone of the classic Mario Karts.
[b]Garfield Kart 2 - All you can drift[/b] (2025). [b]Not bad, but not one of the best[/b].
It improves the previous one in graphics, physics, track design and game mechanics, but it has only 12 tracks and was stripped out of fundamental options, like the ability to host games. Too pricey for what it offers.
[b][i]NICKELODEON / SPONGEBOB[/i][/b]
[b]Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2[/b] (2020). [b]Quite good if on budget[/b].
This is the second of the franchise as the first isn't on STEAM. It's a bit better than "Garfield Kart", with prettier graphics, smoother gameplay and some modern mechanics like differently shaped tracks and the ability to make air tricks. It has a good amount of content and replayability but has its flaws, for example there are no audio voices and you have limite graphics options (you can't even change the resolution).
[b]Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3[/b] (2022). [b]Not recommended[/b].
It should have been an improvement, but they failed to deliver. It feels rushed and it's less polished and enjoyable than the previous. Most of the previous flaws remain and the newly added track shortcuts don't add much to the gameplay.
[b][i]DREAMWORKS / SHREK[/i][/b]
[b]DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing[/b] (2023). [b]Not recommended[/b].
It's a modified and partially enhanced version of "Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3", a little more polished and with magical paths instead of track shortcuts. It's not so bad, but it tries too hard to create some "DreamWorks feel" nobody cares about, without really improving the gameplay.
[b][i]DISNEY / MICKEY MOUSE[/i][/b]
[b]Disney Speedstorm[/b] (2023). [b]Not recommended[/b].
It has the most recognizable characters, great graphics, nice gameplay, good physics and it's also free. Well, it really isn't free as you have to pay real money to be able to win (it's made by Gameloft...). Unbalanced and unfair.
[b][i]SEGA / SONIC[/i][/b]
[b]Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing[/b] (2010). [b]Not recommended[/b]
This was the first released on STEAM and plays very similarly to classic Mario Karts. At its time it was very good, but now it shows its age and limits. While better than Garfield Karts, with nicer graphics and more dynamic tracks, there are better alternatives, including its sequels. No online multiplayer.
[i](THIS ONE!)[/i] [b]Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed[/b] (2013). [b]Very Good [/b].
It improves the previous one in every aspect, finally on par with Mario Karts and Crash Team Racing. It innovates the genre with transforming vehicles and tracks that span in land, water and air. A little outdated, but even today can still be entertaining, especially considering all the content it has. Has online multiplayer but it's fun even in single player mode and it's far better than Garfield Karts and Nickelodeon Karts.
[b]Team Sonic Racing[/b] (2019). [b]Very Good[/b].
SEGA tried to improve the previous one, but in doing so they removed the "transformation" part, which was unique. While adding "teams" and improving the graphics, they didn't put enough effort and some "magic" was lost. In some areas, the gameplay improved, while in others it did not. Still far better than Garfield Karts and Nickelodeon Karts, but not better than Transformed.
[b]Sonic Racing - CrossWorlds[/b] (2025). [b]The BEST, if you can afford it[/b].
The latest one, SEGA learned from its past mistakes and addressed all the critiques. It ticks all the boxes: nice characters, great graphics, great gameplay, full voices, good controls and a lot of content. It's on par with the latest Mario Karts, if not better. Very pricey.
[b][i]OUTLIERS / VARIOUS[/i][/b]
[b]Zero Gear[/b] (2010). [b]Avoid[/b].
It was playable only online so when its servers died, it died, too. It's not a big loss, as not only is it outdated, but it wasn't even that good at its time.
[b]Coffin Dodgers[/b] (2015). [b]Avoid[/b].
It's more of a meme than a game. Fun for just 10 minutes due to its humor, then the poor gameplay will force you to uninstall it.
[b]Super Indie Karts[/b] (2015). [b]Good for nostalgics[/b].
Early Access, it's a homage to the old Mario Karts of the 2000s, with pixelated graphics and somewhat slippery controls. It has local multiplayer, but not online.
[b]The Karters 2 - Turbo Charged[/b] (2025). [b]Good alternative[/b].
Early Access that came out of nowhere; nobody knows about the first one. It's a homage to Crash Team Racing, with neat controls and fun tracks. Every kart has same specs, making it a skill based racing. Even in this early stage, it's nice. It has local multiplayer, but not online.
Now, you can pick yours!
[b]Best played with joypad
Recommended buy price: 10$
Score: 8/10[/b]
