Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest schedule
  • Future Games Show
  • GTA 6
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games

Recommended reading

Mario Kart Baby Park map
Super Mario Mario Kart's infamous Baby Park was inspired by the 2002 Olympic ice skating track, and Nintendo knew it was going to be "a love-it-or-hate-it kind of course" even during development
Mario Kart World screenshot
Super Mario A new Mario Kart World track remakes 1981's OG Donkey Kong with parkour that would make Titanfall 2 blush
The infamous "you're winner" trophy from Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
Racing Games 22 years ago, the worst game of all time launched to a Metacritic score of just 8, and now it's on Steam with 83% positive reviews from a whole new generation of garbage lovers
Princess Peach on bike with Mario and Bowser on track in backdrop.
Racing Games Mario Kart World gets my gold medal thanks to the thrilling 24-player Knockout Tour, and I can't wait for another lap
Mario performs a boost in Mario Kart World as he approaches a new circuit alongside other racers. The number '20' is lit up in front of them.
Racing Games Mario Kart World's free roam needs to take the lead from Forza Horizon if it wants to win me over
Several racers battle for the win in official art for Mario Kart: Double Dash
Racing Games Nintendo wasn't sure about Mario Kart: Double Dash's central 2-driver gimmick, so the devs made a single-driver version simultaneously as an "emergency escape hatch"
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Racing Games 8 years since making the jump from Wii U to Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 is more essential than ever
  1. Games
  2. Racing
  3. Homie Rollerz

The most forgettable kart racers ever released

Features
By Henry Gilbert published May 28, 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Have mascot, will travel

Have mascot, will travel

Mascot racers were popularized more than 20 years ago with Super Mario Kart, and despite it being one of the most overused genres in recorded history, games like Mario Kart 8 and Sonic All Star Racing Transformed proves theres still a lot of fun packed into those tiny cars. Given Nintendos sustained kart success, it isnt surprising that mascots like Pac-Man and Crash Bandicoot starred in arcadey racers of their own, even outdoing Mario and company on occasion. But respectable competition like that is nothing compared to the army of kart pretenders that had no business behind the wheel.

Decades of kart games have starred forgotten cartoon characters, Jedis, pieces of candy, and cats who hate Mondays, all of whom had no business appearing in forgettable mascot racers. These were cheap cash-ins at the time, and have only become more unnecessary with age. These are the least asked for kart racers of all time; look back on these mistakes and be happy that theyre mostly limited to mobile these days...

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing

Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing

Long after everyone realized The Phantom Menace was actually terrible, the Episode I characters refused to be ignored, further sullying the Star Wars universe with their goofiness. That includes spin-offs like a kart racer reinterpretation of pod racing, a move that seems inevitable given the direction of the first prequel. In case youre wondering, the Bombad in the title is derived from Jar Jar Binks language, which is a dead giveaway that Star Wars fans under 10 need not play.

What makes this unnecessary? LucasArts was foolish not to quit while it was ahead; it had Star Wars Episode I: Racer--a pod racing game that was far better than anyone could reasonably expect. Then theres Bombads roster, which had legends like Yoda and Obi-Wan driving next to hideous prequel trash like Sebulba and Boss Nass. Even Darth Maul, the demonic Jedi slayer, got defanged by a superdeformed makeover. Sadly, the simplified racer didnt restrict its roster to The Phantom Menace either, dragging down badasses like Darth Vader and Boba Fett with its mediocre kart action. Good thing Star Wars fans had already learned how to deal with disappointment by the time this game came out.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Inspector Gadget Racing

Inspector Gadget Racing

Remember Inspector Gadget, the mildly entertaining 80s cartoon starring a bumbling cybernetic policeman who couldn't walk five feet without falling down a manhole? Reruns of the show aired for years, and Gadgets mainstream appeal reached critical mass with a 2000 film adaptation starring Matthew Broderick. But if youre too young to have any clue what Im talking about, would you believe that the aging animated series got its own ugly kart racer in 2003? I dont blame you if youre still drawing a blank, because Gadgets GBA adventure was never released outside of Europe.

What makes this unnecessary? Gadget may have more fans in Europe than the US, but Im thinking quality concerns had more to do with it not coming stateside. By 2003, most of the world had stopped watching Inspector Gadget chase after the diabolical Dr. Claw, especially in GBA games that wouldve been considered hideous on the SNES. It didnt help that the kart racer barely had enough memorable characters to support a roster of seven--including nobodies like Agents Bruce and Abdul. But beyond the mundane driving of Inspector Gadget Racing, its biggest misstep may be that the iconic theme song isnt used as the title music.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Homie Rollerz

Homie Rollerz

There are many ways to celebrate Chicano culture, like artist David Gonzales choice to do honor it via a series of tiny, controversial figurines called Homies. The large roster of characters is undeniably cartoonish, with some complaining that the cutesy trinkets celebrate dangerous gangs. The Homies creators counter that the characters backstories show them to be good people who give back to their community, but Im betting some of that positive impact was likely undone by this very broken DS game.

What makes this unnecessary? The obvious answer is that Homie Rollerz is one of the worst games of all time, but theres more to it than that. Homies were designed to be impulse purchases that cost under a dollar, so its odd that the publisher expected people to pay $30 for a kart racer featuring an anthropomorphic red pepper driving around East L.A. Then theres the severely unneeded use of the letter Z in the title. Years later, the Homies seem to have moved past their horrendous game, with nary a reference to the title on their official site.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
South Park Rally

South Park Rally

The recent South Park: Stick of Truth shows that, with a lot of effort and involvement from the creators, a great South Park game is possible. That was quite the revelation for gamers that grew up when South Park was still new and the adorably profane children had garbage games. The now-defunct publisher Acclaim snagged the South Park license in the late 1990s, making several crappy titles to quickly cash-in on a franchise that, at the time, seemed to be a flash in the pan.

What makes this unnecessary? Beyond a handful of brief voice clips, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had basically nothing to do with the game, ensuring a certain level of mediocrity. Instead of anything clever, Acclaim haphazardly mixed in references to the early years of the show along with some messy race tracks and confusing objectives. Why exactly would Big Gay Al task drivers to shoot each other with arrows? Matt Stone himself summed up this era of South Park releases pretty well: Acclaim did such a good job of fucking up the games

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Heracles Chariot Racing

Heracles Chariot Racing

Mascots are expensive to create, and its even harder to build any kind of legacy for them. Most of the kart racing games in this feature sidestep that problem by using famous cartoon characters, but what if you cant afford anyone on the scale of Cartman or Yoda? Thats when you turn to characters no one owns, like those in Greek myth. You dont have to pay anyone to drop Heracles, Medusa, or Poseidon into a virtual go kart.

What makes this unnecessary? This has all the faults of other lackluster kart games, but without any of the warm memories associated with a particular franchise. The Greek pantheon is very generically designed, making the tracks and weapons even more forgettable, even if the gameplay isnt painfully awful. Whats especially unnecessary about this game is that it didnt see release stateside until a 2009 WiiWare port, which virtually guaranteed no one would ever play it.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Smurf Racer

Smurf Racer

The Smurfs have an impressive longevity for a group of blue creatures that annoyingly replace every other word with smurf. The collective of friendly creatures first appeared in a Belgian comic series before expanding into animated shows that occupied Saturday mornings for generations. Papa Smurf and company have starred in multiple (terrible) games, including one of the earliest sidescrollers, so the whimsical bunch was bound to end up with a kart racer of their very own.

What makes this unnecessary? If youre going to bother cloning Mario Kart, you should try to design a game that supports more than four karts per track. Smurf Racer is seemingly unable to handle more than a quartet of Smurfs at one time, but it does have the capacity for spoken dialogue, as shown by the almost constant Smurfy tutorials by Brainy Smurf. However, while Brainys know it all explanations fit the series, the kart gameplay isnt as natural. For a group known for teamwork and friendship, the Smurfs are more than ready to Smurf their fellow Smurf off the road with an Smurfsplosive.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
M&M's Kart Racing

M&M's Kart Racing

When I think of M&Ms, I imagine a sugar rush followed by a long stretch of guilt for eating a whole bag in one sitting. Many others think of the dopey, giant humanoid versions that have been selling the candies for years. The commercials are endearing in 30 second increments, but I think the chocolate makers were a bit delusional in assuming the candies could support multiple promotional games. Since 2000, M&Ms have starred in platformers, party games, and--you guessed it--a kart racer.

What makes this unnecessary? Released in 2008, the M&Ms went beyond inoffensively bad. Their karts drove like you the tires were coated in molasses (not an ingredient in M&Ms, fyi), the graphics were relentlessly mundane, and the courses were as straightforward as could be. The game is too lazy to even include items, a gameplay aspect that even the worst offenders on this list bothered to use. Lastly, the game decides that the best way to incorporate the candies personalities is to have then repeat a few stock phrases over and over again during each race. Its enough to make you swear off chocolate forever.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Garfield Kart

Garfield Kart

Your local newspapers comic page may be on life support, but Garfield still seems unstoppable as a brand. Long after the world stopped being entertained by the Monday-hating cat, Garfield endures, and will likely outlive newspapers, persisting mainly thanks to the internets ironic love for him. But if you think kids today arent aware of Garfield, consider that 2013 saw the release of Garfield Kart, the cats long overdue entry into the genre.

What makes this unnecessary? You expect a game called Garfield Kart to come out in 1996, not 2013, though it still plays like its 16 years old. The kart racing is pretty boilerplate, only the controls are set-up mobile devices, so dont expect much precision--though I guess an overweight cat like Garfield should have poor reflexes. The mascot racer also illustrates that beyond Garfield and Odie, the comic strip is strapped for recognizable characters. Im doubting many were dreaming of seeing Nermal battle Arlene for first place.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
The finish line

The finish line

I hope all those most unneeded kart racers put into perspective how lucky we are to live in an era when those quick cash-ins are no more. And if there were some kart titles that were so forgettable that even I missed them in this list, be sure to let me know about them in the comments!

And if you're looking for more comic book fun, check out the 9 worst X-Men games of all time and the every single Mario Kart item ranked from worst to best.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms Mobile Gaming
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
Mario Kart Baby Park map
Mario Kart's infamous Baby Park was inspired by the 2002 Olympic ice skating track, and Nintendo knew it was going to be "a love-it-or-hate-it kind of course" even during development
Mario Kart World screenshot
A new Mario Kart World track remakes 1981's OG Donkey Kong with parkour that would make Titanfall 2 blush
The infamous "you're winner" trophy from Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
22 years ago, the worst game of all time launched to a Metacritic score of just 8, and now it's on Steam with 83% positive reviews from a whole new generation of garbage lovers
Princess Peach on bike with Mario and Bowser on track in backdrop.
Mario Kart World gets my gold medal thanks to the thrilling 24-player Knockout Tour, and I can't wait for another lap
Mario performs a boost in Mario Kart World as he approaches a new circuit alongside other racers. The number '20' is lit up in front of them.
Mario Kart World's free roam needs to take the lead from Forza Horizon if it wants to win me over
Several racers battle for the win in official art for Mario Kart: Double Dash
Nintendo wasn't sure about Mario Kart: Double Dash's central 2-driver gimmick, so the devs made a single-driver version simultaneously as an "emergency escape hatch"
Latest in Racing
Screenshot from Mario Kart World's reveal trailer showing a Moo Moo Meadows cow on a bike.
Mario Kart World has rail-grinding, wall-riding, and a ska remix of a classic Super Mario Bros 3 song so I think it's an unofficial Tony Hawk's Pro Skater game now
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
8 years since making the jump from Wii U to Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 is more essential than ever
Mario Kart World screenshot showing a racer almost getting eaten by a dinosaur
Nintendo has finally shown us a real-life Mario Kart World Switch 2 cartridge, and it sure does look like a Switch 1 cart, but red
Mario Kart 64 image with Bowser, Mario, Peach, and Toad.
Mario Kart 64 could be the next N64 game in line for an unofficial PC port as the classic racer has been fully decompiled, following in the footsteps of Zelda and Star Fox
Mejiro McQueen is neck and neck with a rival horse girl in Umamusume: Pretty Derby
I walked an hour in the rain to play horse girl gacha game Umamusume: Pretty Derby at the actual Kentucky Derby
Forza Horizon 5 Lamborghini Revuelto driving on highway at high speed
How to get the Lamborghini Revuelto in Forza Horizon 5
Latest in Features
A large hole in a grassy garden with GamesRadar's Indie Spotlight logo in the corner
For just $4, A Game About Digging A Hole will make you feel like god and grant domain over the vast soily kingdom we call Earth
Koichi Haimawari and Kazuho Haneyama looking shocked in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes rejuvenates the series by making it weirder, and there's never been a better time to jump in
A boxy green cubey enemy attacks Remi in Hell is Us
With "multi-map spanning secrets" and "phantasmagorical" horrors, Hell is Us wages a brutal civil war that already has me on edge
Secret Wars art by Alex Ross
Sure, Avengers: Doomsday has a massive cast, but these important Secret Wars characters are still missing from the MCU
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Fantasy Life i, the sequel to a life sim RPG that boldly asked 'What if Animal Crossing was a Zelda game?,' was more than worth the 11-year wait – it might be my GOTY
Elden Ring: Nightreign launch trailer
Elden Ring Nightreign is an extension of FromSoftware's philosophy, director says, not a revision: "We're always looking to make something valuable in our games, something that feels worthwhile"
  1. Elden Ring Nightreign key art
    1
    Elden Ring Nightreign review: "An uncharacteristically frantic and fast-paced ride that boils down the core Elden Ring experience"
  2. 2
    To a T review: "Like standing in a warm spill of sunbeams and eating your favorite home-cooked meal all at once"
  3. 3
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown review: "Radically slick brawls barely feel turn-based, but I'm left wanting more depth"
  4. 4
    Monster Train 2 review: "A truly first class ride through deckbuilder roguelike heaven, and I'm already going off the rails"
  5. 5
    Blades of Fire review: "Following up Metroid Dread with a dark fantasy soulslike full of inventive ideas that I find delightfully infectious"
  1. Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, and Ralph Macchio in Karate Kid: Legends
    1
    Karate Kid: Legends review: "Better than Karate Kid (2010), nothing on Karate Kid (1984)"
  2. 2
    Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning review: "Wraps up this spy franchise in spectacular style with Tom Cruise in peak condition, even if its villain lacks terror"
  3. 3
    Final Destination Bloodlines Review: "Meticulous murderous mayhem"
  4. 4
    Thunderbolts review: "Makes good on the promise of a new start for the MCU"
  5. 5
    A Minecraft Movie Review: "Jack Black's irrepressible star turn helps elevate this video game adaptation"
  1. Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor – or is he John Smith? – in Doctor Who: 'Wish World.'
    1
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision
  2. 2
    Rick and Morty season 8 review: "Largely plays it too safe after years of crossing boundaries"
  3. 3
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 6 spoiler review: 'The Interstellar Song Contest' is "a blast and sets the stage for a thrilling season finale"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 5 spoiler review: 'The Story & The Engine' is "one of the most original and ambitious episodes this show has produced in years"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 4 spoiler review: 'Lucky Day' has a "genuinely surprising" mid-episode reveal

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers
  • Do not sell or share my personal information

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...