There's nothing quite like kart racing to provide gamers with years of friendship destroying entertainment.
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Welcome to Watchmojo.com and today we'll be counting down our picks for the top 10 kart racing games.
For this list, we're taking a look at kart-based racing video games throughout the history of the media
Pinpointing the finest examples of this sub-genre in action
We're placing a limit of one game per franchise as well as leaving out games that feature realistic car racing
This one's unorthodox, we'll say that.
Inspired by Super Mario Kart, like every other game on this list
This particular kart racing game relies on item based races
With racers as zoo animals and karts as lawnmowers.
Wacky Wheels certainly lives up to its name
from the use of hedgehogs and bombs as combative items
to it featuring a cameo from the Commander Keen foe, Dopefish
Yet, it's also endearing in its embracive goofiness
Welcome, I say, welcome to the most spectacular racing extravaganza in the universe.
The Looney Tunes Space Race
Ah, cartoon action at its finest.
Originally released for the Sega Dreamcast
Looney Tunes Space Race pits a variety of Warner Brothers famed cartoon characters against one another
in an intergalactic racing tournament
Take that Earthling!
The game features a small, but reliably entertaining cast that feels on point in terms of personality
From Daffy Duck's sarcastic nature to Yosemite Sam's cantankerous disposition.
Try this one on for size.
Space Race also benefits from its vibrant cell shaded visual style and healthy variety of collectible items
Including elephants for...whatever reason
Developed by Hal Laboratory, this Kirby themed title takes a different approach to kart racing
Kirby Air Ride relies on a basic control scheme
wherein Kirby and other racers automatically move while other actions are handled with the control stick and A button
But this design choice serves Air Ride really well, allowing players to enjoy the colourful tracks, endearing characters,
and a variety of race modes without worry.
All in all, it's simple, yet joyful in nature.
Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.
Relying on similar mechanics to its counterparts in the genre,
Konami Krazy Racers nevertheless distinguishes itself by embracing its backlog of intriguing characters and themes.
12 of Konami's famed characters, from Grey Fox of Metal Gear fame, to Beartank from Rakuga Kids
battle for dominance in a series of kart races, of course.
The game also featured the use of mode 7 effects to simulate a 3 dimensional view of the player's racer.
An impressive technical feat for the Gameboy Advance
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Ah, thus the age of user generated content was ushered in.
Following the example of LittleBigPlanet,
this kart racing game grants players access to track editing and character creating tools alongside its preexisting content.
Said content includes both a campaign mode about the player's character entering the championship
and the mod spot, where players online and off can share and enjoy their creations.
The new speed wagon SUX600D! Ok, the big one's not done yet.
It also helps that the actual kart racing is tight and well designed, built around a 3 tier weapon system and the use of drifting to gain a boost.
We're definitely glad to see Sackboy and company expanding their horizons.
LittleBigPlanet Karting picks up after the events of LittleBigPlanet 2
with the cheery, fabric-based hero Sackboy racing to stop the hoard from stealing his universe's prizes.
In line with the core LittleBigPlanet series, elements such as grappling hooks and the pod as a hub are meshed with the game's combat kart gameplay
Sporting a charming visual style, lively music, and the series patented create mode, it's not hard to get enraptured by the game.
3..2..1.. Go!
Mascot-based racing games seem like a thing of the past.
Yet, gamers were reintroduced to the concept with Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed
Which pits Sonic the Hedgehog against various Sega mascots in intense races.
It tows the line of being a kart racer in two regards,
during races, each character's vehicle will shift into different modes depending on the terrain being crossed.
And after each lap, the tracks dynamically change completely altering your route.
At its core, the game embodies the frantic energy of kart racing matching it with an astounding roster visually and technically creative tracks
and balanced, yet, challenging gameplay.
For Naughty Dog's last Crash Bandicoot game, before the series went third party, it was one heck of a farewell.
The game has Crash and his associated cast competing against the alien Nitrus Oxide who seeks to take the Earth for his own purposes.
Relying on the through line of the player hunting down boss keys in order to challenge Oxide, Crash Team Racing is free to celebrate its series in style.
The races are thrilling through their implementation of boosting and powersliding, yet also smile inducing with visual tributes to the series legacy.
And that's all before getting into the extra modes and unlockables.
Hovercrafts and a wizard pig? How can you go wrong?
Starting from the unusual premise of Diddy Kong and friends being challenged by the evil wizpig,
Diddy Kong Racing embraces its weirdness in full force.
The game's island hub splits off into 5 distinct worlds, each with a variety of races to enjoy.
It's keen on challenging players with special races requiring the use of one of three vehicles,
battle stages, races against boss characters and the increased difficulty of Adventure 2 mode.
Thanks to the varied gameplay and vibrant use of colour though, the game never ceases to engage.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
Though there's much to respect about Mario Kart Double Dash, it's the N64 instalment that most catches our eyes.
First and foremost, Mario Kart 64 marked the series' transition into 3D graphics allowing for track features like elevated surfaces and walls.
Its impact on the kart racing genre cannot be overstated.
Yet, on its own terms, the game also shines.
Featuring memorable characters in its roster, the first tracks that balance charm and challenge, iconic items and built in four player support,
Mario Kart 64 is nothing short of masterful. It's no surprise then that it's a huge hit with the Watchmojo staff.
Do you agree with our list? What's your favourite kart racing game?
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