Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway

Quite simply the best "Mario-Kart-like" for years, ever since Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled in 2019. With 40 tracks serving up a varied gameplay experience, four levels of difficulty, and an extensive selection of characters, karts, and supporting characters, the game also has a challenge mode that promises hours of fun. One to play right away.

Imagine if Sponge Bob, CatDog, Invader Zim, Ren & Stimpy, Danny Phantom, the Ninja Turtles, the Rugrats, Avatar, Jimmy Neutron, and Garfield – to name but a few! – climbed aboard their quirky karts to compete in crazy races along tracks inspired by the Nickelodeon universe; a dream come true for kids who are fans of the channel. In this, the third game in the series, the developers took everything back to the drawing board, and the result is great!

From the outset, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 stands out for the depth of its content. With 36 tracks containing a variety of unique features, from secret shortcuts to underwater sequences, the game delivers a generous gaming experience. But the real cherry on the cake lies in its outstanding roster of 40 characters taken from Nickelodeon's iconic cartoons.

Our favourite part? How the customisation options are key to the game's appeal. Each driver comes with their own kart that you can customise with spare parts (tyres, exhausts, etc.). Once again, the content is pretty amazing, especially because you'll need to either win races or collect slime tokens during a race, which you can then spend in the store.

We liked the introduction of the "support characters" to help your driver (you can choose between a mechanic and an engineer). That's a first for a karting game and it adds a strategic layer to the racing. With 90 characters spread across these two support roles, there's always something new to try.

In technical terms, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 also shines through its varied tracks, flashy graphics, and instant – if unique – playability with a controller. The handling in the game isn't too far off the best in the genre, and Mario Kart in particular, adopting familiar mechanics like using the left trigger to skid and boxes containing bonus items, enabling players to focus on what really matters: the thrilling race to the finish line.

Our tip to help you on your way? The active assist option is vital for younger players who want to enjoy a race without needing to worry about controlling their speed. But don't be fooled: the game features a technical dimension that demands precision drifting and jumping to maximise your speed and overtake your competitors. It is a balanced approach that lets players of any age enjoy the experience.

More than just another Mario Kart clone, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 reminded us of that classic of the genre, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fuelled with its balanced, fun gameplay. The popular Nickelodeon characters, in-depth customisation, and varied tracks make Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 a serious contender for the karting game podium.

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

• 
• 
• 
• 
•