Game Review: DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing

The world of DreamWorks animation collides in an all-new video game, DreamWorks: All-Star Kart Racing, which brings together iconic characters from various films and franchises from the legendary studio. This is the first DreamWorks-themed kart racing game since DreamWorks Super Star Kartz in 2011.

The game is brought to us by publisher GameMill Entertainment and developed by Bamtang Games, the same developers behind the Nickelodeon Kart Racers series, and is currently available for all major platforms. Is this all-new lineup of characters a worthy follow-up? Let’s find out.

The game uses a similar engine to the aforementioned Nickelodeon Kart Racers games with a few unique mechanics. The game features offline single-player, offline multi-player, and full online multiplayer.

Each race begins with a rhythm mini-game to give you an extra boost at the start. Aside from your standard item pick-up, you also receive “troll surprises,” which are gained by collecting up to fifteen music notes. These notes can also be used as currency to unlock kart pieces in the garage.



Additionally, there are special “magic paths,” which are special shortcuts that open when you collect up to three magic lyres but are only opened for a limited time. There are also special “drift trails” that give players an extra speed boost if they drift on them.

The game features twenty unique race tracks spread across six cups. There are also thirty-six unique challenges that are used to unlock vehicle parts and playable characters. While not playable, there are also six different “Troll Hosts” that give you a different gameplay style.



Overall, there are twenty playable characters in the base roster and two DLC (Downloadable Content) characters:

– Shrek (Shrek)
– Donkey (Shrek)
– Fiona (Shrek)
– Lord Farquaad (Shrek)
– Puss in Boots (Shrek/Puss in Boots)
– Kitty Softpaws (Puss in Boots)
– Po (Kung Fu Panda)
– Tigress (Kung Fu Panda)
– Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda)
– Mr. Wolf (The Bad Guys)
– Diane Foxington (The Bad Guys)
– Hiccup (How To Train Your Dragon)
– Astrid (How To Train Your Dragon)
– Alex (Madagascar)
– King Julian (Madagascar)
– Theodore Templeton (The Boss Baby)
– Tina Templeton (The Boss Baby)
– Bridget (Trolls)
– King Gristle (Trolls)
– Megamind (Megamind)
– Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda) (DLC)
– Wolf aka Death (Puss in Boots) (DLC)

Each racer has a unique vehicle. Meeting certain requirements can unlock more parts for that vehicle that alter the overall stats and look of the vehicle. 



However, once you get past all of that, the game’s issues begin to show. The biggest gameplay problem overall isn’t a bug or broken mechanic, but the extremely slow feel that the game has. You never truly feel like you are racing until you gain multiple speed boosts in a row.

There is also a feeling of a lack of content.

After you beat all of the challenges and win all of the cups, there isn’t much left aside from 100% completion for all unlockables and collectibles. The game also seems to be lacking in the offline mode department. What it really could have used was some story/adventure mode similar to Crash Team Racing or Diddy Kong Racing.

There is also the character roster. With a $39.99 price tag you would think it would have a decent-sized roster, but here it is only twenty. It definitely could have used at least ten more to fill it out.

Certain franchises seem more favored than others. Out of the twenty-two available characters, seven of them are from the Shrek/Puss in Boots franchise, nearly 1/3 of the roster. Aside from that, many characters who you would imagine being present are missing. There are definitely some odd character choices. 



Fan favorite characters like Barry B. Benson (Bee Movie), Oscar (Shark Tale), Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians), Skipper (Penguins of Madagascar), B.O.B. (Monsters vs. Aliens), Chel (Road to El Dorado), Grug (The Croods) and more are all absent, which is surprising considering next year is the studio’s 30th anniversary. Even a Small Soldiers representation would have been appreciated. DreamWorks had also acquired the rights to Felix the Cat in 2014, so that would have been a neat addition.

The last major issue revolves around the DLC. This game has two editions, the “Standard Edition” for $39.99 and the “Rally Edition” (Digital Only) for $49.99, and all you get for that extra $10 is the two DLC racers. But if you buy the standard edition physically or digitally, then you have to pay $14.99 for just two racers. Not a season pass with an extra eight racers and four new tracks, just two racers.



Overall, the game evens out to a 5/10

While the game does feel fun to play and gives some decent fan service, the lack of content and overpriced DLC keep it back from being a great game. Had it included at least ten more racers with the promise of future content and some story, then it would probably be worth the current asking price. But in its current state, I would recommend waiting for it to go on sale.

If not, maybe you’re better off playing Disney Speedstorm, and that game is free.

There will most likely be a sequel/follow-up like their Nickelodeon Kart Racers games, probably in 2025/2026. Hopefully, the developers will take the criticism to heart and give us a truly unique experience the next time around.