Game Review: Smurfs Kart (Xbox Series X)

The rule for karting games is quite simple. See what makes Mario Kart so successful and so beloved? Do that. It’s really that simple, as there is no innovation to be found in karting games, and often, attempts to do something different just ends up making things worse.

It should be this simple. Provided the developer is willing to try, and so few are, because karting games are just for kids, right? Which, even if that was true, is unacceptable. Thankfully, Eden Games understands this and has worked hard to clone Mario Kart, but give it a smurfing makeover.

It’s one of the rare modern breed of karting games that is both fun and challenging, looks and sounds great, and nails the source material, without doing anything to ‘rock the boat’. If you’ve played any karting game ever (a good one), then you’ll be totally familiar with what Smurfs Kart offers.

Choose out of 12 Smurf racers, featuring the likes of Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Jokey, Chef, and Astro Smurf, and compete in a series of Grand Prix events, time trials, or grab some friends and race split-screen style.

The main bulk of the game comes from the Grand Prix events, and these are split into two speed settings (Fun and Hyperspeed) with three cups in each, and four races to take part in. As far as challenge goes, neither will test seasoned kart players, but Hyperspeed does at least have a bit more of a challenge. Not just because the karts are faster, but because the AI is better and they are more than willing to use the items they pick up.

This is a karting game, remember? So, of course there are pickups and these range from acorns you can fire at players ahead, to a Queen wasp that seeks out the lead racer. Each Smurf also has a special item that relates to their character, often dished out when the player is languishing near the back. Papa Smurf can make all the other racers fall asleep, slowing them down significantly. Handy creates a circling shield of drones that both attack and defend. Blossom can rain arrows down upon the field, and so on.

It’s little things like this, alongside some nice voice acting and kart differences, that give each Smurf their own personality.

None of this would matter though, if the actual karting itself was poor, and happily, that is not the case. Again, if you’re familiar with good karting games like Mario Kart, you’ll feel right at home here. The handling is solid and steering is smooth. There are no floaty feelings, no sense that at any stage, the kart is going to jerk you off a cliff, or that you’re barely in control. Although driving assists for younger players do exist, so if you want to play it that way, you can.

On the ‘Fun’ setting, races can be won easily with basic acceleration and steering, but on ‘Hyperspeed’, a little more skill is needed. Which is where the karting special comes in, power-sliding and drifting. A staple of the genre, and one that Smurfs Kart nails ala Mario Kart, right up to the boost you get from length of drift.

The game features 12 tracks, and the level designs are great. Each is unique enough to stand out, the colours are really vibrant, and the designs are creative. It’s fun to drive them, but it is a shame that there’s not more on offer. Particularly as it limits replay value once the Grand Prix events are wrapped up, and particularly as the game dishes out stickers for getting certain awards, and to 100% the game, you’ll have to replay a lot of the same tracks/events over and over again.

Although players that want a proper challenge will certainly get milage out of the time trials, where the first-place ghost you race, is surprisingly good. If you were half-assing your way through the main game, this mode will have you sitting up straight and gripping the controller that little bit tighter.

Overall, Smurfs Kart is a good game. One that borrows everything good about Mario Kart and hands it in, regardless of the similarities. It’s Mario Kart, but with a Smurfy skin, and that’s nothing to complain about.