We could fill a starting grid with all of the Mario Kart-esque racers which have sought to ride in the plumber's slipstream over the past few years, and Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart looks to be the latest to join the fleet.
Published by Outright Games in collaboration with Cyber Group Studios, the team has today announced that the Disney Junior show will be taking to the virtual tracks soon, with a new trailer (above) showing the game in all of its familiar action.
The studio has somehow managed to pull itself back from the car-crash (no pun intended) release of 2020's Gigantosaurus: The Game (which we generously provided a 3/10 review). Although we praised the release's driving sequences as 'a decent way to break up the repetitive nature of the main game', we can't say that this was really enough to get the engines running on a kart racing sequel - but here we are!
Let's come clean, we have never had the privilege of watching the TV series. Apparently it follows four dinosaurs who explore their world in an attempt to find out more about the titular big boi. Importantly, it is aimed at children of pre-school age.
Quite why this age group has been the latest audience targeted for a racing game is somewhat beyond us, though it looks like this has been of little concern to the developers, who have taken the format made popular by Mario Kart, thrown in their bankable IP, and ensured that the quality is decreased substantially enough that the game can be unequivocally deemed child friendly.
For the official rundown, check out the following summary from Outright Games:
Be your favourite dino and speed around Cretacia in a kart championship for up to 4 players. Race on 15 tracks full of thrilling obstacles – including the great Gigantosaurus himself! Pick up awesome power-ups that give you a shortcut, or a jetpack-powered boost… or a way to knock out your rivals. There’s a play style for all ages, including steering help for younger players. So, get the whole family together for a fast and fun party that’s almost as big as Gigantosaurus’s appetite!
Multiple tracks, championship races, 'awesome power-ups' including a 'jet-powered boost', ring any bells? Of course, Gigantosaurus isn't going to reinvent the wheel, but it looks like it is going to throw it back onto a kart and force it round a well-frequented track.
We have no news of a release date for Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart just yet, though looking at the trailer we would imagine that we will get word in 2023.
What do you make of this kart racer? Start your engines in the comments and let us know!
[source youtube.com, via outrightgames.com]
Comments 14
Though I don’t think it’ll be remotely close to Mario Kart in quality - It doesn’t look as bad as some games graphically... It has decent color gradients and shadows. I’ve seen worse looking 3D racers launch on Switch.
The races in Gigantosaurus were fun enough, as was the game itself. If I can get this game for 20€, why not give it a try?
I understand why these games exist on Playstation/Xbox... but who is buying this on a console where Mario Kart exists?
Mario Kart and Smash Bros knockoffs are the new Mario 64 and Mario Party clones.
Wow the kart racing genre is starting to heat up this gen, we already got Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled, Team Sonic Racing, Chocobo GP, Nickelodeon Racing 1 & 2, Beach Buggy Racing 1 & 2, and Disney's Speedstorm, but now here comes Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart and Smurfs Kart, etc. Seems like there's no shortage of that kart racing pie.
(Saw PS5 version available)
I will get the PS5 version ! 😆
@HolyGeez03
"who is buying this on a console where Mario Kart exists?"
Me and I have picked the PS5 version.
Good luck on switch, you're gonna need it
@Anti-Matter
So you are NOT buying it on a console that has Mario Kart.
@HolyGeez03
Well, for 3rd party multi console games, when the games have PS4 or PS5 version I will pick those version instead of Switch version after I have experienced with downgraded quality from Switch version for certain 3rd party games.
I just have no idea why you'd buy this unless you've played Mario kart tracks to death. Even then, there are a handful of other kart racers on the switch with IPs that kids know and like rather than random dinosaur people.
oof that looks rough especially with the choppy framerate. talking of MK alternatives i'd be down for a Yooka-Laylee Racing.
Ugh. My kid LOVES Gigantosaurus. Now I have to make sure he never sees anything of this game in the eShop or in the news feed thing.
The game looks decent enough, but the trailer is terrible. Those voices are unbelievably annoying. And that T rex sounds like a TIE fighter.
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