Ever since Nintendo popularized the kart racer with Mario Kart, the genre has generally been used as a cash-in, me-too gimmick. If there’s a franchise or group of characters people like, the kart racer is an easy way to repackage and sell them in a new game without stepping all over franchise lore.
The kart racer doesn’t require intricate tracks, racing mechanics, or much progression — just lovable characters and some wacky items to disrupt your opponents. From Crash Bandicoot to the Muppets to M&Ms, kart racers are home to a wide variety of franchises — so it’s no surprise that someone is trying to combine iconic indie characters into a new kart racer.
What is a surprise, though, is that it has taken this long — and Nintendo hasn’t yet unleashed its stable of lawyers.Super World Karts mashes up a bunch of indie game characters into your typical kart racer. Some of the characters you’ll recognize, such as the Runner from Canabalt. Most characters, though, you either won’t recognize until you see what game they’re from (such as Tim Burr from Fist of Awesome), or you won’t recognize at all. Aside from developer Paul Hamilton attempting to keep the styles of the characters’ respective games intact, the game’s style looks closer to Mario Kart than most — if not all — other kart racers.
As the campaign page plainly states, aping an SNES kart racer is the point. It will, however, provide modern-day enhancements, such as a 16:9 aspect ratio with a 1080p resolution. It’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo acknowledges the project at all, and what — if anything — the company may try to do about it.
Currently, the game has eight indie characters, but over 20 have been promised upon release. Bonus unlockable characters have also been promised, as well as 30 tracks in the final game. As for kart racing shenanigans, SWK features ramps and boosts, collectible items, drift boosts and shortcuts, rankings, split-screen play, and a bunch of weapons.
The game is attempting to make it through the hell gauntlet that is Steam Greenlight, and as is tradition for many games nowadays, Super World Karts will need your money if you want it to get made. For more details, you can check out the Kickstarter campaign here, which asks for at least $10 in order to get the game on the platform of your choice.