Introduction

Developed by Bamtang Games, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 is the best kart racing game I have ever played. 

From the moment the tutorial starts, you’re greeted with smooth controls, excellent track design, and an art style that’s to die for. 

I should’ve bought this game for full price because these devs deserve it. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 is full of Easter eggs, references, and characters that everyone can love. 

For my first race, it was hard to pick a character, from Aang to SpongeBob and even characters from CatDog; there is a character for everyone. 

The kart customization is excellent, too! You can do it before every race and unlock more customization using coins. Let’s dive right in.

Color is everything 

A lot of games have been dark. Nick Kart Racing 2 changes that, and in a beautiful way. You can tell the color palette mattered on every level and with every kart palette. Karts are based on the character you’re playing as, and usually, the color palette is made to match them. When choosing the color for pre-existing characters, I feel it’s important to stay true to the show and the show’s theme while making it blend well with the game.

Colors have been pulled from the various universes of the hit Nickelodeon shows. The blues and greens stand out, and they’re used often: However, in different shades. Nickelodeon’s signature color is green, mainly because of the slime: Their logo is orange, so you will see a lot of both while you play the game. 

Each track stays true to the palette of the show it’s based on: The Southern Water Tribe track is a perfect example of blues being used to make the map pop. The Southern Water Tribe track stands out no matter who you’re playing as because each track was designed to fit the overall theme. 

Staying true to the source material 

Each Kart was designed after the show the character comes from. For example, Sandy’s kart looks like her spaceship from when SpongeBob thought everyone was an alien. The color of each kart matches the palette from each show. 

Kart upgrades follow a similar theme. For example, you can choose multiple engines, and the designs used for the engines come right from the source material. The glove world engine and air nomad engine are standouts in that regard. 

You can customize your pit crew, and every member comes from a different Nicktoon; there are 70 non-playable characters in the game. You could set Phil and Lil as your chief, Bebop and Rocksteady as one of your crew members, and top it off with Pearl as your last crew member. Crew members will support you as you race: For example, Splinter will give you invisibility after attacking opponents. 

All of this comes together to create a fantastic experience. No matter when you watch Nickelodeon, you will know at least one character; from Rocko to Lincoln, there is a character for everyone to enjoy. References can be made as far back as Double Dare! There is something for everyone in this kart racer. 

A few issues 

Nick Kart Racers 2 does not have any voice acting, and the characters don’t even grunt or make sounds. This makes the game feel silent after two races, and the music doesn’t help. 

The music in this game is boring, repetitive, and uninspired. You’re better off listening to music over the game because you won’t miss much anyway. The sound effects are cool the first few times you hear them, but after that, they get old. Both of these issues could be fixed with more in the sound department. 

Nickelodeon Kart Racers also includes JoJo Siwa as a playable racer, and I find this weird. She has done things for Nickelodeon, but she isn’t a true standout in a game all about the Nicktoons.

Framerate drops and stuttering are present through most races and worsen depending on the track you’re playing on: The framerate drops are not too jarring, but the stuttering at the start of the race is annoying. I was facing these issues on the PS5. 

In Closing 

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix is a fun game with a lot of charm. Each track creates a beautiful and inviting atmosphere and beautifully plays to the source material. The style of the game plays to the Nicktoons well, and the vibrant colors give the game an upbeat feel, no matter what track you’re playing on. 

Each character offers something for everyone because at least one person will know each show. You might not get all the references right away, but the ones you do get will feel special. 

Despite all the positives, the game has no voice acting, bad soundtracks, and stuttering at the start of races that can be jarring for some. However, the plethora of different game modes gives you a reason to come back for more. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 allows you to unlock all characters by completing races and challenges. There is always a reason to come back and play. 

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 scores an 8/10. If you like kart racers, be sure to give this game a try.

Score

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 is scoring a Silver Token. It is scoring a 75/100.