Mario Kart has long defined the kart-racing genre, but players without Nintendo consoles can still find fast-paced, item-driven racing on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Below are five notable kart-style racers available across those platforms, with platform availability, core mechanics and pricing where provided.
KartRider: Drift — free-to-play, cross-platform
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows.
KartRider: Drift began as a free online racer in 2004 and has reached more than 380 million players over the years. Heavily inspired by Mario Kart, it emphasizes accessible kart racing and battle modes while remaining free to play.
The game includes in-app purchases limited to cosmetic upgrades for karts; those purchases do not affect gameplay outcomes, ensuring balanced competition. As players unlock new modes, the challenge increases, making the title suitable for both casual and competitive drivers.
LEGO 2K Drive — open-world karting with custom builds
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows.
LEGO 2K Drive blends open-world exploration with traditional kart racing. The main campaign spans three worlds, each with its own activities and kart races against regional rivals.
The game features a build system that uses LEGO pieces earned through missions to create highly customizable karts. However, the most desirable engines and tires are obtainable only via microtransactions.
Although targeted at younger players, LEGO 2K Drive includes enough challenge to appeal across age groups. It is available on the Epic Games Store for R$292,82.
Disney Speedstorm — character-driven boost racing
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows.
Disney Speedstorm features characters from Disney and Pixar across nine themed tracks, each offering multiple start points and configurations for variety. The gameplay centers on building and using boost, with brief speed surges tied to an emphasis on momentum.
The title includes a progression system: players collect items in seasonal races to unlock and level up characters, or they can use microtransactions. While multiplayer matches keep players at an even level, ranked races favor higher-level characters, giving those players an advantage.
Disney Speedstorm is available as free early access on consoles through late 2023 / early 2024; the PC version is excluded from that early-access window.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed — dynamic tracks and vehicles
Platforms: Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS.
Released in 2013, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed received positive reception and remains popular among kart-racing fans. The title offers 20 selectable racers drawn from Sega and Sonic franchises, plus guest characters such as the protagonist from Wreck-It Ralph and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick.
The game’s 25 tracks and arenas transform during races—sections change between land, sea and air—adding significant variation to each event. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is available on Steam for R$99,50.
Trailblazers — team-based racing with paint mechanics
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS.
Trailblazers differentiates itself by making paint a core gameplay element. Each vehicle is equipped with a paint cannon that covers the track in the player’s color. Driving over your color grants speed boosts and score, and teams compete to dominate the circuit’s colors.
Scoring in Trailblazers does not rely solely on finishing position; painting the track, overpainting rivals, and using paint offensively are central to victory—making strategy as important as crossing the line first. Trailblazers is available on Steam for R$57,99.
