One of the world’s most active party game genre has to be that of the racing simulator. From the glory days of Mario Kart to the updated style of Crash Team Racing & Need For Speed, there’s something about gathering all together in the living room and racing each and every one of your friends. For bragging rights, of course!

I’ve recently discussed the concept and recent trend of nostalgic games being put through the remaster /remake/re-release cycle, and it appears that this title has had the same treatment! Originally released 15 years ago by Nexon Korea Corporation, this week’s review is your first look into the BETA version of the upcoming KartRider: Drift!

Straight off the bat, KartRider: Drift looks, feels and plays like your stereotypical racing/party simulator; Pick a character, a kart, a course and start your engines! However, you’d be amiss to think the game stops there.

Much like it’s genre sharing titles Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled & Need For Speed, customization options play a heavy and fun part of KartRider: Drift. Each character and cart has a plethora of different variants, colours and skins to play with and unlock. This is such a joy to muck around and play with, and it really does set your rider apart from the pack. Given that cross-play will be applicable with this title, it’ll be so wonderful to see each car/opponent uniquely different from each player.

See, unlike most other racing games, KartRider: Drift will actually take some getting used. No, no it’s not hard to play or difficult to control, it’s more or less a very timing-sensitive title. What I mean by that is; You will need to break, drift, steer and have your wits about you to conquer these mean in-game streets!….well, courses really, but you get what I mean.

You’ll find yourself venturing on the turf or off-road the first couple of times during play-through, which is normal, considering it will take some timing and getting used to before drifting like a lunatic, leaving your fellow races literally in your dust! Similar racing elements are present in this game, such as various pick-ups items along the tracks. Time trials are also present in KartRider: Drift, however, that game mode goes by the name ‘Speed mode’.

The graphics are also so joyful and cute! If you can remember back to when kids toy cars came with a driver behind the wheel, but it was only a big head that was stuck in place. Well, that’s essentially how most of the characters look in KartRider: Drift. The scenery and levels are very well animated and coloured, leaving each world with its own loveable and diverse sense of feeling. Sure, some do feel cartoonish in nature, but it’s done in such a creative way, that you’ll find yourself restarting the race on any one particular course, over and over, just to be able to drive through and experience it all again!

The sound is definitely very complementary to the world around it. From the kart engine to the drifting, to the sweet little jingle that materializes when picking up an item, it’s so incredibly sweet, clear and enjoyable to listen too.

KartRider: Drift Beta makes it’s valiant return after 15 years away from the gaming world. If the beta is anything to go off, then this famous Korean-based title will keep you and your friends gaming for hours on end!

Written by: Brutaleo