The 10 Most Heinous Mario Kart Rip-Offs
Posted at 5:03 AM Nov 19, 2008
When Super Mario Kart debuted on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992, it delighted players with sharp graphics, catchy tunes, addictive gameplay and a cool cast of video game veterans. In the sequels that followed, the game used improving technology to build on a winning formula of Mushroom Kingdom charm, selling tens of millions of units in the process. Intrigued and desperate to cash in on the "licensed characters in go-karts" concept, competing video game studios started shoving every entertainment property available into cartoony conveyances. While many kart games are harmless and even entertaining diversions for racing fans, these ten Mario Kart rip-offs show that imitation is not always the most sincere form of flattery.
10) Konami Krazy Racers
Even though 90 percent of the playable drivers from Konami's kart game come off as B-listers, the concept of playing as Goemon from the Legend of the Mystical Ninja Series along with Ninja from Metal Gear is fairly appealing. As inexpensive Game Boy Advance titles go, KKR is actually a pretty fun game. Problem is, the reason it's fun is because it's EXACTLY like Mario Kart. Almost every aspect of the game is analogous to MK to the point of distraction. "I just got a missile, um…that's like a green shell, right?" Worst of all, the features this game doesn't steal, it drops entirely. For example, rather than listing the differences between each playable kart, KKR leaves driver differences up to the player to discover. Is KKR worth the price of admission? Perhaps. It just doesn't bring anything new or different to the table.
9) Sonic Drift 1 and 2
Forget for a moment that Sonic can tirelessly run at mind-boggling speeds and imagine the blue hedgehog having fun behind the wheel of a novelty racecar. Then imagine an Emerald Hills Zone paved over with Robotropolis' finest asphalt. Throw in some of Mobius' most colorful characters and that's the premise behind Sonic Drift 1 and 2, both on Sega's doomed handheld, the Game Gear. 1994's Sonic Drift was never released in the US, instead it was repackaged with other Sonic titles throughout the years. Sonic Drift 2 hit stateside in 1995, with the name change to Sonic Drift Racing (as not to send die-hard Sonic fans into a state of panic for somehow missing the first game). This game incorporates amassing rings into the racing aspect of the game and has appropriate power-ups from Sonic lore. This game made the list because 1) The Game Gear, despite being the only color handheld gaming console at the time, could only be viewed at a perfect 180-degree angle, and 2) the incredibly low horizon line in each game negates any sense of depth and diminishes gameplay. At a time when Sega was a credible threat to Nintendo's US supremacy, it wouldn't have killed Sega to try a little harder and release a better version of these games on the more powerful Genesis.
8) Pac-Man World Rally
In Pac-Man World Rally, the characters from the Pac-Man World series of 3-D adventure games hop into wacky racing vehicles and vie for first place. This PlayStation game borrows from Pac-Man's classic, orb-munching origins to give drivers something to swerve into while lapping 15 or so obstacle-laden tracks. The game comes off as uninspired in its MK borrowings, but the game gets some credit for logically throwing Pac-Man and family into yet another course full of power pellets. But to what end is Pac-Man racing? He and his female counterpart already competed with Mario and friends in the far superior Namco offering, the Mario Kart arcade game. Perhaps renewed passion for sweet, yellow loving blossomed between the two parties behind the wheel, and PWR is just a married couple's attempt to stoke the embers of a waning romance?
7) Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour
If there's one thing working against this game, it isn't a lack of profitable source material—it's Disney, for cripes sake! That said, one would think this game would be a slam-dunk for Eidos Interactive, especially considering the bevy of platforms it hit, including the PlayStation. This just isn't the case, though. The list of tracks is impressive, consisting of many of Disney World's best rides as racing courses—it's the driver list that leaves a gaping wound in the hearts of gamers. There are 13 drivers to choose from, but for some reason only three of them are anybody anyone's ever heard of. Chip and Dale are okay choices, especially when donned in their Rescue Rangers garb, but eternal guilt-tripper/buzzkill Jiminy Cricket isn't exactly the spokesperson for daring driving exploits. In fact, ol' Jiminy seems more likely to nag other racers to buckle up than he does to haul-ass for speed supremacy. This game could have had it all, but it stuck players with character names like "Ned Shredbetter." Such a waste.
6) Woody Woodpecker Racing
To be even remotely fun, racing games require proper controls to simulate performance steering on all kinds of terrain. This kart incarnation of the smart-ass Woodpecker's animated adventures just flat-out doesn't have it, leaving painfully jerky gameplay to instigate as much rage as Woody's maddening guffaw. Adding injury to insult, the characters are animated in the rich spirit of gross overcompensation. Each driver's head warbles dramatically from side to side through turns, resulting in vicarious player whiplash. The graphics are also second rate (even for a rushed 2001 PC game), resulting in a sad experience for everyone involved, much like a woodpecker hitting a nail.






Comments
I think (dis)honorable mention should go to that horrible Mortal Kombat kart game included in Deception. I can see where it doesn't deserve a place on the list, since it's not a stand-alone game, but jesus, it's terrible. The physics in that one are akin to those toddler toys with the plastic car that moves back and forth with the steering wheel while you "race" on a wind-up track conveyor belt with cheap graphics printed on it.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 07:09:33 AM"So when confronted with a cast of Muppet racers, legs and other off-camera appendages hanging out in plain view, it's a damn unwelcome sight."
lol, There is such truth in that line.
Good list too, there are so many MK copycats out there, but none seem to ever be able to achieve the greatness of the originator.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 07:57:52 AMWoah, what about STREET RACER! I read that title and the absolute first thing I thought of was Street Racer, the SNES cart game that was exactly like but slightly inferior to Mario Kart! I can't believe it's not here.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 08:15:36 AMCaleb Goellner can only write negative about stuff he doesn't excell at. You suck at racing games bitch!
Posted 11/19/2008 at 08:38:19 AMWhen I don't have Mario Kart around, my little brothers and I can still pick up Muppets Race Mania and have at least a little fun.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 09:26:06 AMAnd Statler and Waldorf as Marley and Marley in the Muppet Christmas Carol stage are pretty tough as bosses.
This game did have loads of unlockables though.
By having a Playstation instead of a Gamecube, I lived without Mario Cart, living instead on Crash Bandicoot's Crash Team Racing. My only consolation was the weaponry was a good bit more badass (tnt, acid, bombs) than the standard Mario tortoise shell.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 10:04:51 AMI half-expected Mega Man Battle & Chase to be on here, though I've heard it's more average than bad.
Also, rumor has it that Sonic would have been in Mario Kart Double Dash!!, but that Yuji Naka stubbornly insisted that Sonic should be able to run, rather than drive a kart. Which seems kind of against the spirit of kart racing.
--LBD "Nytetrayn"
Posted 11/19/2008 at 10:34:05 AMi can't believe you all left out that one PC game from korea called KartRider.. its actually pretty sweet as u can play online. i used to play it till it got old as all games do.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 11:37:35 AMNo mention of Atari Carts for the Jag?
Posted 11/19/2008 at 01:54:39 PMDoes anyone remember the Star Wars Episode I Chibi racing game? I know how that sounds, but it was awesome.
Posted 11/19/2008 at 03:27:05 PMWhat about Skunny Kart? That was one of the most blatant copies. A PC shareware game based around a Sonic/Mario wannabe character named Skunny the Squirrel, who had several platform games under his belt. Admittedly, it was a free alternative to actually buying Mario Kart, so I did play it a lot, but as a rip-off it was pretty heinous.
Posted 11/20/2008 at 01:59:45 AMPocketbike redemption lies in Planet Terror, with the most and only badass pocket bike scene on the planet.
Posted 11/20/2008 at 06:53:59 PM"Caleb Goellner can only write negative about stuff he doesn't excell at."
If you're going to try and criticize someone you should probably use correct grammar and spelling.
Good list!
Posted 11/27/2008 at 09:00:26 AM