Your favorite DreamWorks computer animated movie characters have come together to race each other in this kart game!  Compete with characters and race on tracks based on all sorts of DreamWorks franchises like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Bad Guys, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, Boss Baby, Trolls, and Megamind!  The game is available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

This is your pretty standard kart racing game, and the controls reflect that.  Steer with the L stick and the R trigger is for gas and L trigger for brake.  You can do a powerslide by holding down the L trigger as you turn, then release for a boost.  Jump with the L shoulder button and use items with the face buttons.  The game has all sorts of little nuances and rules of its own, too.  Aside from collecting weapons from boxes, you can also gather music notes and when you have enough, Trolls will attach to your kart and give you a boost when you press the triangle button.  There are also drift pads you can drift on for a bonus as well. And if you collect a lyre, a rainbow path will open up that’ll act as a shortcut.

There are single player modes as well as local and online multiplayer.  You can also buy or unlock new characters and car parts in the garage, or view extras and toggle options.  In single player mode, you have cup races where you compete on four tracks in a row for points.  There are also Free Race and Time Trial modes.  Challenge mode gives you objectives for you to complete, and they get hard pretty early on, but you can unlock car parts and characters from them.  The whole thing is structured a lot like the recent Nickelodeon kart racers.  My only problems with the game are that it’s not terribly original and the Penguins of Madagascar aren’t in this one!  I love those guys!  But otherwise, it’s not bad.  It’s no Mario Kart, but fans of DreamWorks cartoons and character racers may like it.

Kid Factor:

DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing is rated E for Everyone with an ESRB descriptor of Mild Fantasy Violence.  You can hit other racers with silly weapons and they just spin out or tumble when hit.  If you’re OK with your kids watching these movies, they’ll be OK with the game.  Reading skill is helpful for some of the menu text, but not necessary just to play.  Selectable difficulty levels means that players of all ages and skills should enjoy this.

Tags: Game Reviews, Movies with Children, Television