10 Games Like Mario Kart for PS5

Sony and the PlayStation 5 have a lot of cool things in their corner, but they don’t have Mario Kart. That series has been exclusive to Nintendo for the better part of thirty years, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. What does that mean for anyone who wants to play Mario Kart on their PlayStation?

Well, one thing it doesn’t mean is that you’re out of luck for kart racing excellence on the PS5. From mascot-based kart racers that cover the essentials of games like Mario Kart, to titles that simply emphasize fun and arcade-style excitement, we’ve got tons of games like Mario Kart for PS5 to show you.

 

Games Like Mario Kart for PS5

1. WipEout Omega Collection

Developer: SCE Studio Liverpool
Publisher: Sony

When WipEout Omega Collection was released to the PS4, it continued to prove why the long-running futuristic racing series is so popular.

If you want the fast and relatively loose structure of Mario Kart with a sleeker and more sci-fi edge to the design, Omega Collection is a perfect addition to your library. The game includes two stunning remasters of not only Wipeout HD and Wipeout 2048, but the HD Fury expansion for the first Wipeout titles, as well. That’s a lot of stuff to keep you busy.

With 26 tracks, 46 distinct vehicles, and nine unique game modes, WipEout Omega Collection has depth for days and never forgets to be a blast to grab a control and start playing. Your PS5 will be able to play this game just fine — as long as you can keep up with the speed.

 

2. Team Sonic Racing

Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: SEGA

Team Sonic Racing is a must-play for anyone who really needs that specific style of kart racing that Mario Kart invented in 1992.

This recent entry in the enduringly popular series of Sonic the Hedgehog racing titles isn’t an exact clone, though. You’re just likely to appreciate how the developers of Sonic Team Racing generally stick to understanding what works for these games, and finding some surprisingly creative touches and ideas within that comprehension. It’s fairly easy to pick up and play, the cast of characters is pretty rounded, and the courses and vehicles more often than not are engaging.

Team Sonic Racing races ahead of many of these games simply because it’s a perfect reminder that there’s more to this genre than Nintendo’s iconic kart series.

 

3. Renzo Racer

Developer: EnsenaSoft
Publishers: EnsenaSoft, Joindots

There’s no arguing that Renzo Racer is another PS5 racing game that skews young. The vibrant cartoon characters and colorful tracks will make that pretty clear to you. Even so, Renzo Racer offers meaningful track variety, good controls, and graphics that can at least keep your kids entertained. If you find yourself playing along with them, Renzo Racer will prove to be an enjoyable experience.

Choosing from 16 different cartoon characters, none of whom exist outside of this game, Renzo Racer keeps the action from getting too repetitive with decent challenge and design quality across the 20 different race tracks available.

This isn’t Mario Kart 8 by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s at least a clone that understands what these games need to be worth anyone’s time.

 

4. Race with Ryan

Developer: 3DClouds S.r.l.
Publisher: Outright Games

Despite a title that sounds more like a threat than an invitation, Race with Ryan might be perfect for at least some Mario Kart fans with a PS5. We’re saying “some” because it’s important to keep in mind with this game that it aims for a pretty young audience, as it’s inspired by an extremely popular children’s YouTube series.

As the game deals with the young Ryan and his World Friends in a series of races to come out on top and capture “Mystery Eggs,” it’s pretty clear the age group this game is intended for.

Having said that, if you do find yourself playing Racing with Ryan, don’t be surprised if you find yourself generally having a good time. The characters are bright and cute, the tracks offer some variety, especially for younger players, and it often hits the beats of an entertaining kart racer.

 

5. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway

Developer: Bamtang Games
Publisher: GameMill Entertainment

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is perhaps the better choice between this latest entry and Grand Prix. Get both games if you’re a mascot racer fanatic, but Slime Speedway is a noticeable improvement on everything you’ll like about the second game. There are more racers and tracks, as well as more options and customization possibilities for your vehicles. Slime Speedway is another entry where it’s easy to get into what the game has to offer.

While your emotional investment in watching Raphael from TMNT race with Tommy Pickles, CatDog, and Garfield might not be all that high, it’s worth giving Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 a serious try. There’s more than enough here to keep you busy for a little while, and there’s a lot of effort there that’s worth appreciating.

 

6. Destruction AllStars

Developer: Lucid
Publisher: Sony

Mario Kart 8 has the classic battle mode well-represented, so if that’s one of your favorite things about the game, you’ll want to check out Destruction AllStars. This is a vehicular combat game with sixteen players capable of joining in on the carnage. Four different modes of play add layers to a game that basically comes down to destroying other cars with your car.

It’s been done before, but Destruction AllStars is too much fun to really care about that. Furthermore, the game does not simply stop at banging those vehicles around some very stunning arenas. Up to sixteen different characters each come with the ability to get out of cars, fight on foot, acquire new vehicles, or even make a desperate last stand on your own two feet against a four-wheeled horned deathbeast with your name on it named Cerberus.

 

7. Hot Wheels Unleashed

Developer: Milestone
Publisher: Milestone

For sheer fun and playability, Hot Wheels Unleashed is one of your best bets for games like Mario Kart on PS5. It’s going to hit all the necessary marks for what you’re looking for, even if this is one of the examples we’re covering that’s technically not a kart racer. As long as that specific element isn’t a dealbreaker for you, Unleashed has enough content in the core game and through add-ons and DLCs to keep you occupied for a long time.

The creative potential of Hot Wheels: Unleashed is also worth mentioning. The collecting element of filling your space with every Hot Wheels vehicle imaginable is part of the charm, but it’s the chance to build your own tracks with an exhaustively deep track editor that gives Hot Wheels Unleashed the ability to stand out.

 

8. Coffin Dodgers

Developer: Milky Tea
Publisher: Milky Tea, Wales Interactive, Fuze Technology

As long as it doesn’t give you an existential crisis, Coffin Dodgers should prove to be a pleasing variant on the standard kart racing formula. The main components are here, with humorous cartoon characters and equally ridiculous tracks. However, where Coffin Dodgers gets a little more morbid than most is in its depiction of several elderly characters trying to outrace Death himself.

Yes, you read that correctly. Coffin Dodgers is an interesting idea, featuring a host of senior citizens who each come with their own mobility scooter. The race against the Grim Reaper is combined with the race to come out on top against everyone else, and the end result is a challenging, although somewhat shallow, kart racer. There’s more that could be explored here, but what’s available is fine.

 

9. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix

Developer: Bamtang Games
Publisher: GameMill Entertainment, Ripples Asia Venture Pte, Maximum Games

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Garand Prix is another entry in a series that could have just been a very lazy cash-in on the kart racing formula.

The games feature a number of beloved Nickelodeon properties and characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and several others. The developers could have just made sure these characters were in the game, and that the tracks were functional before calling it a day. Instead, there’s a lot about Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 that’s worth appreciating.

It’s not perfect, but Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 has a deep roster with a number of exceptional tracks, and the gameplay is better than you might expect. It’s a good choice for Mario Kart fans who want to get close to that experience on their PlayStation 5.

 

10. Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure

Developer: Vector
Publisher: Vector

Beach Buggy Racing 2 certainly won’t leave you wanting for content if you’re searching for games like Mario Kart on PS5. While the game’s controls are not as refined as they could be, and the character designs are not quite as bold or interesting as something like Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled or Team Sonic Racing, this game from Vector isn’t a waste of time by any means. The essentials of kart racing are well-handled here, leaving the player with a title that’s ideal for kids and likely solid enough for everyone else.

The element of exploration is one of the best ways Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure gives its players more than just the typical kart racer experience. Those who play every game to get 100% completion will find themselves engaged for ages with Island Adventure, with a degree of challenge that gets surprisingly intensive as you race closer.

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