I’m simply as stunned as you, however DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing is definitely fairly entertaining. It even brings its personal distinctive mechanics to the overpopulated scene, iterating on a style with loaded expectations.

It’s no Mario Kart or Crash Staff Racing, certain, however that’s not what I’m asking for. The Dreamworks racer manages to seize loads of beautiful little particulars I really like about its worlds, and so they’re value a spotlight.

It’s the little issues

As a rule, these tie-in video games learn like an inexpensive money seize, resulting in a disappointing end result: Garfield Kart, anybody?

Nonetheless, DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing actually performs prefer it has some love behind it. Every kart is embellished with references to the flicks these characters come from. Race tracks are fairly charming and happen in places you bear in mind from the flicks, like Far Far Away from Shrek 2 or Berk from How To Practice Your Dragon.

Funnily sufficient, the DreamWorks mascot even rescues drivers along with his fishing rod when falling off the stage. Developer Bamtang Video games clearly took cues from beloved implementations of different kart racers, however much less so within the typical ways in which really feel like cheapened crossover soup.

Nonetheless, what’s most vital is how the driving feels, and I’m pleased to report it’s principally clean. Drifting round a nook on the finish of the race gave me the increase I wanted to win. It’s additionally thrilling to tug off when you’re in narrower sections of a observe.

Admittedly, it does really feel a bit slower than different kart racers available in the market, however it nonetheless manages to ship a rush of pace as you zip by way of a piano-like increase pad and edge out the win.

DreamWorks Kart Racing travels down a magic pathway

DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing stunned me. It might have simply been a run-in-the-mill kart racer, however it folds in a couple of fascinating quirks to the gameplay. Amongst my favorites had been the magic pathways.

Much like mechanics in F-Zero 99, you’ll be able to kind a rainbow path above the everyday observe. Navigating the trail completely makes it an efficient shortcut. Nonetheless, others can leap on the magic pathway, too, and it comes with hazards as paths fade over time. There’s a danger/reward system that’s fascinating on the observe.

The observe design is ingenious, too. In a single observe, you’re attempting to keep away from perilous dragon flames whereas twisting and turning by way of a fort, and one other has you bouncing up and down in a trampoline room. There’s good selection within the combine, shaking issues up between the everyday stretches of street.

You’ll see all method of sights and sounds, shaping as much as one thing surprisingly spectacular as you see acquainted dragons from the franchise flying within the sky. There’s additionally a starry Rainbow Highway-like observe impressed by the intro that performs earlier than each DreamWorks movie. It’s full with a glowing moon and bouncy purple clouds, making it my go-to decide.

Whereas the objects are a little bit lackluster, there are references to Dreamworks motion pictures, like Shrek‘s onions. That was considered one of my larger qualms with Disney Speedstorm, because it lacks these touches and makes use of generic objects as an alternative.

All-Stars get a little bit chatty, too

Prior GameMill Leisure tie-ins like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 lacked voice appearing at launch. Nonetheless, DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing takes benefit of this characteristic. You’ll hear Shrek calling out Tigress on the observe. Some even have some witty banter between them, and there are even references to well-known traces within the motion pictures. Whereas Shrek’s voice actor seems like he’s by no means visited Scotland in his life, a lot of the performances are first rate.

General, I’ve loved my time with DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing. Whereas it’s actually not as polished or enjoyable as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Crash Staff Racing: Nitro-Fueled, I’d nonetheless suggest this to any child or DreamWorks Animation fan. Now, the place’s the Rise of the Guardians DLC?

[A review code was provided by the publisher to the writer]