curationlistsPC

The Best Kart Racers on PC Right Now (That Aren’t Mario Kart)

UUnknown

2026-02-24

10 min read

PC players finally have great kart alternatives to Mario Kart. From Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to indie party hits, discover the top PC kart games in 2026.

Frustrated by fragmented storefronts and the lack of Mario Kart on PC? Here are the best kart racers you can actually play on PC in 2026 — led by Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and cherry-picked indie gems.

If you want couch chaos, tight drifting, and explosive item sprees without buying a console or tracking down a used Switch, PC kart gaming in 2026 is in a much better place than most people think. The niche exploded after late-2025 releases and crossplay pushes: big-studio entries, free-to-play racers with serious live-service support, and small indie titles that nail local co-op and controller-first design. Below you'll find curated picks that cover every priority — online multiplayer, split-screen, controller support, mod friendliness, and competitive play.

Why Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds leads this list (and what it means for PC karting)

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds arrived on September 25, 2025, and it’s the clearest signal yet that big-budget karting can thrive on PC. It’s not perfect — online balance and some launch stability issues stirred debate — but its core systems, track design, and customization depth put it at the top of PC kart options in 2026.

"Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the closest we've ever gotten to Mario Kart on PC… for better and worse." — PC Gamer (review excerpt)

Why this matters in 2026: CrossWorlds shows how major IPs can deliver PC-native kart experiences that support controller-first inputs, custom vehicle tuning, ranked matchmaking, and Steam Deck verification. SEGA's post-launch support through late 2025 and early 2026 improved matchmaking stability and item balance, making CrossWorlds the benchmark against which many indie and mid-tier racers are now being judged.

Top picks: PC kart racers you should try (and who each is for)

Short list first — then deep dives with setup tips and trade-offs.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds — Best all-around PC kart for competitive and casual players
KartRider: Drift — Best free-to-play technical racer with crossplay and esports pedigree
Team Sonic Racing (2019) — Best for physics-driven team tactics on PC
Hotshot Racing — Best retro-arcade racer with crisp controller feel
All-Star Fruit Racing — Best indie for goofy local multiplayer and mods
Trailblazers — Best cooperative paint-and-speed twist for team play
GRIP: Combat Racing — Best high-octane combat racer if you want aggression over items

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds — The new standard

What to expect: polished tracks with branching routes, deep vehicle and loadout customisation, and a robust online ecosystem that supports ranked ladders and seasonal events. It supports full controller remapping and is Steam Deck Verified, making it an excellent pick for handheld and couch play.

Strengths:

Track design rewards experimentation and optimisation
Vast vehicle cosmetics and tuning — real depth for collectors
Clean handling that feels fair even in chaotic item matches

Weaknesses:

Item balance can still swing wildly in public lobbies
Online sandbagging/hoarding tactics are a meta issue to watch
Launch-day stability required several patches; keep the game updated

Best for: players who want a modern, feature-rich kart with esports-ready tools, plus solid controller and Steam Deck support.

PC tip: Prefer wired connections for ranked. Use Steam Input to fine-tune dead zones and vibration for precise drifting.

KartRider: Drift — The free-to-play contender

What to expect: Nexon’s KartRider: Drift leans hard into technical fundamentals: tight drifting, a large roster of karts, and deep progression. Crossplay and frequent seasonal content make it a lively choice for competitive players on PC.

Strengths:

Rollback netcode in many regions — excellent online responsiveness
Free-to-play with generous content streams and cosmetic drops
Strong esports community and time attack leaderboards

Weaknesses:

Live-service monetisation can feel aggressive to completionists
Learning curve for drift mechanics is steep

Best for: competitive racers who want zero cost of entry and a scene that supports ranked play.

PC tip: Turn on rollback/netcode-friendly modes if available, and use the in-game sensitivity options for consistent drift inputs across controllers.

Team Sonic Racing — Team tactics and physics focus

What to expect: A more physics-forward cousin to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Team Sonic Racing emphasizes cooperative team play (shares boosts, item trading) and arcade physics.

Strengths:

Team mechanics introduce a unique layer of strategy
Solid single-player roster and local party support

Weaknesses:

Less live-service support than newer releases
Online population can be thin compared to CrossWorlds and KartRider

Best for: groups that want coordinated team-based karting and reliable local multiplayer.

Hotshot Racing — Clean arcade vibes

What to expect: If you miss crisp arcade handling and neon 90s aesthetics, Hotshot Racing is tactile and immediate. It feels like classic Dreamcast-era racers but tailored for modern controllers.

Strengths:

Excellent controller feel and responsive handling
Low barrier to entry with tight tracks

Weaknesses:

Not heavily focused on items — more about pure racing lines
Smaller community for online matchmaking

Best for: players who prioritize mechanical skill and clean input over chaotic item spam.

All-Star Fruit Racing — Indie local-party gold

What to expect: A goofy, colorful indie kart racer that nails local four-player split-screen and welcomes modders. If your primary need is couch chaos for friends with controllers, this is a budget-friendly champion.

Strengths:

Fun, family-friendly modes with creative power-ups
Mod-friendly community and active Steam Workshop content

Weaknesses:

Production values aren’t as high as AAA titles
Online features are limited compared to live-service racers

Best for: party nights, local multiplayer, and players who love tinkering with community mods.

Trailblazers — Team paint-racing that rewards cooperation

What to expect: Not a classic kart, but Trailblazers shares the spirit: cooperative lanes, painting mechanics that boost speed, and split-screen support. It’s perfect for co-op partners who enjoy teamwork-based scoring.

Strengths:

Unique paint-based mechanics create fresh play styles
Excellent split-screen and LAN support

Weaknesses:

Less focused on items and weapons

Best for: friends and couples who want cooperative strategy with a bright, arcade sheen.

GRIP: Combat Racing — When you want aggression over charm

What to expect: GRIP trades cute mascots for high-speed combat and vehicular mayhem. It’s heavier and more aggressive than a traditional karter, with strong controller and wheel support on PC.

Strengths:

High skill ceiling and satisfying physics
Robust mod support and custom server options

Weaknesses:

Not a kart racer in the strictest sense — expect heavier handling

Best for: players who want action-packed arena matches and customizable servers.

How to pick the right PC kart racer for you (practical checklist)

Not all kart games are made equal. Pick a title based on what matters most to you:

Local couch multiplayer: Look for split-screen verification and controller-friendly UI (All-Star Fruit Racing, Trailblazers).
Ranked online play: Prioritise games with rollback netcode, active seasonal ladders, and regular balance patches (KartRider: Drift, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds).
Controller & Steam Deck support: Check Steam Deck verification and Steam Input mappings before buying.
Mods & custom content: If you want community maps and skins, pick titles with Steam Workshop or mod tools (All-Star Fruit Racing, GRIP).
Crossplay: Want to race friends across platforms? Choose racers advertising crossplay support and unified progression.

PC setup & optimization tips for maximum racing performance

To get the tightest feel and lowest input latency on PC, follow these practical steps that matter for 2026 setups.

Prefer wired controllers or official docks: USB connections reduce input jitter; Steam Deck wired USB-C or a docked Bluetooth with low-latency profiles is excellent.
Use 120Hz or higher displays: Higher refresh rates reduce perceived input lag. In many modern kart titles, 120–240Hz unlocks a crisper drift feel.
Disable unnecessary post-processing: Motion blur and aggressive AA can add latency — trim them for better responsiveness.
Enable GPU low-latency modes: Nvidia and AMD both offer low-latency and frame generation options; test presets to avoid stutters.
Network: wired > 5GHz Wi‑Fi > 2.4GHz: For ranked matches, a wired Ethernet connection to your router is the gold standard. If not possible, use 5GHz Wi‑Fi and close background network apps.
Rollback/netcode options: If a racer exposes rollback or delay-based netcode choices, pick rollback where available for smoother online play.
Use Steam Input remaps: Create or import community controller layouts for consistent drift and item maps across games.

2026 trends shaping kart racing — what to watch next

Several industry moves through late 2025 and early 2026 have changed how we pick kart games:

IP holders embracing PC-first launches: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds proved that major kart IPs will treat PC as a primary platform, not an afterthought.
Rollback netcode adoption: More indie and mid-tier racers are shipping with rollback or hybrid solutions to improve online fairness.
LiveOps and seasonal content: Kart titles now use seasons, battle passes, and cosmetic streams to keep communities engaged, a trend that’s here to stay.
Crossplay and unified progression: Players expect friends lists and ranks to be consistent across PC, consoles, and handhelds.
Indie renaissance: Better engines and middleware have made high-quality indie kart racers cheaper to produce — expect more creative variants that mix mechanics (paint, parkour, combat).

Practical recommendations for different players

If you want the closest thing to Mario Kart on PC

Play Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. It provides the mashable items, cinematic moments, and depth that make Mario Kart great — with the added advantages of PC tuning and Steam ecosystem features.

If you want free-to-play competitive racing

Start with KartRider: Drift. It’s free to try, has strong netcode in many regions, and a mature esports-ready rule set.

If you host local parties

Pick All-Star Fruit Racing or Trailblazers for easy-to-join split-screen fun and low-friction controller support.

If you want to tinker or mod

Choose titles with Workshop integration. Community-made tracks and cosmetics can extend replayability by months.

Advanced tactics & house rules for better public lobbies

Public multiplayer can be a mess — here are strategies that turn chaotic sessions into better experiences:

Host private lobbies for learning: Run custom races with friends and tweak item frequency to practise mechanics without griefing.
Vote on meta bans: If an item or kart is consistently broken, make it a house rule until a patch arrives.
Use voice moderation: Encourage civility and coordinated drift practice — teams that communicate climb ladders faster.
Record and review: Use short replays to analyse line choices — most PC racers have replay modes that help you refine racing lines and drifting windows.

Where to buy and how to find deals in 2026

Stores are less fragmented than they were in 2023–2024, but deals vary:

Check Steam sales and bundles — indie kart packs often pop up in mid-year sales.
Free-to-play entries are typically best downloaded from official launchers or Epic/Gog storefronts to ensure you get the latest anti-cheat and matchmaking updates.
Game Pass for PC occasionally adds kart racers; if you subscribe, check new catalog drops before buying.

Final takeaways: The best kart experience depends on your priorities

PC karting in 2026 is healthy and diverse. If you want a modern, polished kart with esports tools and continuous updates, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the leading choice and the best single buy. For free-to-play competition, KartRider: Drift remains a top pick. And if you want local couch chaos or community-driven content, indie racers like All-Star Fruit Racing and Trailblazers deliver unbeatable party value.

Whatever your pick, focus on controller configuration, network setup, and whether rollback netcode is available — these three factors will define your day‑to‑day racing experience more than flashy graphics or roster size.

Call to action

Ready to pick your kart? Try Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds if you want the full modern package — or hop into KartRider: Drift for a free dive into competitive play. Join our PlayGo community for weekly kart nights, curated controller configs, and deal alerts so you never miss a seasonal drop. Share your favorite kart racer in the comments and tell us how you tune your drift — we’ll feature top setups in next week’s guide.

Unknown

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.