In the early 2000s, the kart racing genre was at its peak. ThePlayStation 2had itsfair share of kart racing gamesthat were beloved by players, but some titles have flown under the radar for many.
RELATED:PS2 Games That Can Be Impossible To Beat
These games offered unique gameplay experiences and a cast of colorful characters that left a lasting impression on those who played them. Taking a closer look at some forgotten kart racing games on thePlayStation 2, this article explores what made them special and why they still hold a place in the hearts of many gamers.
10Antz Extreme Racing (2002)
Antz Extreme Racingisbased on the DreamWorks animated movieAntzand features a cast of ants racing against each other across a multitude of tracks and obstacles. Players can choose from a variety of ants with different abilities and stats, such as speed and handling, and can collect power-ups to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Up to four players can race against each other, as the game also offers a story mode where they can progress through a series of races and challenges.Antz Extreme Racingreceived mixed reviews, with criticism directed at its mediocre graphics and uninspired gameplay, but remains a curiosity for fans of theAntzmovie or those looking for a lighthearted racing experience.
9Cocoto Kart Racer (2005)
Cocoto Kart Raceroftenflies under the radarwhen discussing classic kart racers. Despite this, it has a dedicated fanbase who appreciate the game’s unique aesthetic and enjoyable gameplay. It offers a total of twelve drivers, but from this number, four must be unlocked during the gameplay.
Up to four players could play at once, which added to the game’s fun factor.Cocoto Kart Raceris known for its challenging tracks and AI. Its whimsical and colorful presentation, along with its catchy soundtrack, has made it a hidden gem among kart racing fans.
8Myth Makers: Super Kart GP (2007)
Super Kart GPisoften considered an overlooked gemamong kart racing fans, featuring colorful and vibrant graphics, unique characters, and a variety of power-ups to keep races exciting. The game can be played by up to four players simultaneously, making it a great game to play with friends.
RELATED:Best Xbox Games To Play Local Multiplayer
The game’s tracks are based on various mythological locations such as Mount Olympus and Atlantis, adding an extra layer of creativity to the game. Fans of the game appreciate it for its easy-to-learn controls, upbeat soundtrack, and challenging AI opponents. Despite its relative obscurity,Myth Makers: Super Kart GPis a great game for anyone looking for a fun and quirky kart racing experience.
7Sonic Riders (2006)
The game features Sonic and his friends racing on hoverboards called Extreme Gear, competing against each other in a variety of races and challenges. The game features a story mode where players can unlock new characters and progress through various courses, as well as a multiplayer mode where up to four players can compete against each other.
Sonic Ridersreceived mixed reviews upon release, with praise directed at its unique hoverboard-based gameplay and soundtrack, but criticism aimed at its occasionally frustrating controls and camera.
6Shrek Smash n' Crash Racing (2006)
Smash n' Crash Racingis an unorthodox version of a kart game that allowed up to four players to compete simultaneously. The game offered a variety of characters from the popular franchise, including Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and Puss in Boots, each with their unique abilities and karts.
RELATED:Co-Op Games Parents Can Play With Your Children
The tracks wereinspired by scenes from the movies, and players could pick up power-ups such as speed boosts and items to attack other racers. Fans of the game appreciated the fun atmosphere and the ability to play as their favorite characters from the movies. Despite some criticisms of the game’s mechanics and lack of online multiplayer,Smash n' Crash Racingwas enjoyed by many fans of both theShrekfranchise and kart racing games.
5Cartoon Network Racing (2006)
Cartoon Network Racingallowed up to four players to race against each other on a variety of tracksbased on popularCartoon Networkshowssuch asDexter’s Laboratory,The Powerpuff Girls,Johnny Bravo, and more. Fans of the game appreciate the inclusion of their favorite characters and their unique abilities, such as Johnny Bravo’s hair toss and Courage the Cowardly Dog’s scream attack.
The game also has power-ups and weapons that players can use to gain an advantage over their opponents.Cartoon Network Racingreceived mixed reviews upon its release, but it has gained a cult following among fans of the channel and kart racing games.
4Bomberman Kart (2001)
This game combined classicBombermanelements with high-speed racing action. The game allowed up to four players to race simultaneously, either in split-screen mode or through a LAN connection. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game was the use of power-ups and weapons to take out opponents, such as bombs and rocket launchers.
The game also featured a story mode where players could unlock new characters and tracks. According to fans on the internet,Bomberman Kartwas loved for its charming graphics, solid gameplay mechanics, andfaithful representation of theBombermanfranchise. Despite not receiving much attention upon release, the game has gained many fans over the years.
3Looney Tunes: Space Race (2000)
Space Raceallowed up to four players to play at once, and the game featured the famousLooney Tunescharacters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck,and many others. The game had a variety of courses set in different locations, ranging from space stations to the Wild West. Fans of the game appreciated the colorful visuals, as well as the enjoyable gameplay that required strategy and skill.
RELATED:Best Looney Tunes Games
Additionally, the game featured power-ups, adding an extra layer of excitement to the races. Overall,Looney Tunes: Space Racewas a beloved game among fans of kart racing, and theLooney Tunesfranchise.
2Pac-Man World Rally (2006)
Pac-Man World Rallyfeatured classic characters like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and the Ghosts, as well as other Namco characters like Dig Dug. One of the main attractions of the game was its unique power-up system, where players could collect pellets on the track to earn power-ups and upgrades for their karts.
Fans on the internet loved the game’s vibrant and colorful tracks and the incorporation ofPac-Man’s classic arcade gameplay elements.Pac-Man World Rallyallowed up to four players to race simultaneously and offered a fun and exciting racing experience for fans of the iconic yellow character and his friends.
1Jak X: Combat Racing (2005)
Jak X: Combat Racingallowed up to four players simultaneously in split-screen mode, or up to six players online. The game was praised for its fast-paced and enjoyable gameplay, as well as its impressive graphics and sound design. Fans of the series enjoyed the incorporation of weapons and power-ups into the racing, which added an extra layer of strategy.
It was also well-received for its single-player story mode, which gave players the chance to experience more ofthe world and lore of theJak and Daxteruniverse. WhileCombat Racingis fondly remembered by fans of the series and genre, the spin-off is fairly underrated when compared to, for instance,Crash Team Racing.
