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M&M's Kart Racing

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M&M's Kart Racing
Wii version box art, featuring all five playable M&M's characters (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, and Orange)
Wii version box art
Developer(s)Frontline Studios
Calaris Studios
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Jakub Goryszewski[1]
Producer(s)James Davis[1]
Programmer(s)Sebastian Zielinski[1]
Artist(s)Dominik Zielinski[1]
Composer(s)Lukasz Stasinski[1]
Platform(s)Wii, Nintendo DS
ReleaseWii
  • AU: November 29, 2007
  • NA: December 5, 2007
  • EU: April 25, 2008
Nintendo DS
  • NA: March 24, 2008
  • EU: April 25, 2008
Genre(s)Kart racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

M&M's Kart Racing is a 2007 kart racing game developed by Frontline Studios in co-production with Calaris Studios and published by Destination Software. Based on the M&M's license, it was published for the Wii in 2007 and for the Nintendo DS in 2008. The sixth entry in the M&M's video game series, it followed M&M's Break' Em, a 2007 puzzle video game for the Game Boy Advance and DS, and was succeeded by M&M's Adventure, a 2008 action-adventure game for the Wii and DS.

M&M's Kart Racing's gameplay revolves around playing single-player and multiplayer game modes in which each player controls one of five M&M's playable characters, racing go-karts on race tracks varying in shape and theme. Both the Wii and DS versions of the game were widely panned by reviewers, who criticized its poor graphics and vehicle handling, lack of items and music, and underwhelming implementation of the M&M's license. Retrospectively, it is considered to be one of the worst racing games of all time.

Gameplay

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M&M's Kart Racing is a kart racing game in which each player controls one of five sentient M&M's (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, or Orange), who serve as the game's playable characters.[2][3][4] The remaining characters are all controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).[4][5] Although a player's character has no effect on their performance,[3][5] the racing vehicles vary in speed, acceleration, handling, and braking.[4]

All of M&M's Kart Racing's game modes are centered around at least one player racing across one or more race tracks based on unique environments, including a chocolate volcano, a chocolate factory, a forest, a farm, a sea carrier, a house, a city, the Arctic, an alien spacecraft, and a colosseum based on that of Ancient Rome.[3][4][6] The Wii version of the game features a total of 15 tracks.[7][a] Although there are not any items that can be used to attack other racers, players can collect chocolate coins scattered across each raceway, which can be used to unlock additional vehicles in the garage, such as a hovercraft and an SUV. Each player controls their vehicle with a Wii Remote, tilting to turn and pressing a button to accelerate.[2] While on the starting line, a player can quickly spin their Wii Remote for a turbo boost that lasts between three and five seconds.[8]

One of the Wii version's single-player game modes, Quick Race, revolves around racing against computer-controlled opponents on a single track.[9] Another single-player experience, Training Mode, allows the player to drive alone on any chosen track for practice. In Arcade Mode, the player must accumulate as many points as possible by collecting items and performing stunts,[7] such as jumping or driving on two wheels.[8] In Tournament Mode, the player competes against computer-controlled racers on all 15 tracks, with their finishing positions, performed stunts, and collected items all factoring into their score.[7] Playing through Tournament Mode is required to unlock certain advanced tracks.[9] There are two multiplayer game modes with split screen gameplay: Quick Race, a one-lap race with only human players, and Full Throttle, a three-lap race with human and AI racers.[7]

The Nintendo DS version of the game differs from the Wii version in multiple ways. One of the single-player modes is "Tournament Mode", in which the player races on several tracks, being allowed to replay tracks as well as swap vehicles and characters between races. The other single-player mode is "Time Trial", which tasks the player with racing as fast as possible while collecting time boosts, reaching certain areas before their timer expires, though their time is not actually recorded.[5][6] Although single-cartridge multiplayer is not supported, up to five human players can race via local multiplayer, provided that they each have their own copy of the game.[4][5]

Additional differences include the DS version featuring 11 race tracks instead of 15, the D-pad being used to steer the vehicles,[4] and tracks being shrouded in mist to cover up the draw distance.[6] The bottom screen displays a map of the track while the player is racing,[5] and there are arrows on tracks that greatly but briefly boost the player's speed. Moreover, there are additional power-ups, including a homing missile that allows players to slow down racers in front of them, a barrel of oil for slowing down racers behind a player, a cup of hot chocolate that provides a brief speed boost, and a bag of M&M's that refills a fuel tank, which causes the player to slow down as it depletes. Additional collectibles include rainbow-colored M&M's that improve a player's score, as well as giant M&M's that appear in the Time Trial mode as checkpoints.[4]

Development and release

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M&M's Kart Racing was developed by Frontline Studios in co-production with Calaris Studios. The game was published by Destination Software,[1] which had previously published M&M's Break' Em, a 2007 puzzle video game for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.[10] M&M's Kart Racing was also published by Zoo Digital Publishing in the United Kingdom.[11]

The Wii version of M&M's Kart Racing was released in Australia on November 29, 2007.[12] The Wii version was subsequently released in North America on December 5, 2007,[13] with the DS version being released in the same region on March 24, 2008.[14] Both versions of the game were released in Europe on April 25, 2008.[15]

Reception

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M&M's Kart Racing was critically panned upon release. On the video game review aggregation website GameRankings, the game holds scores of 23% and 22% for the Wii and DS versions, respectively,[16][17] with its average rating of 22.5% earning it Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2011's award for the lowest-rated kart game.[18][19] Gameplay footage of M&M's Kart Racing was featured as Joystiq's "Today's most hilariously atrocious video" of November 17, 2007, with Scott Jon Siegel referring to it as "a true testament to the wrong way to build a kart racer".[20] GameSpot named M&M's Kart Racing the "Flat-Out Worst Game" in its "Best of 2008" awards.[21]

Reviewing the Wii version of the game for IGN, Lucas M. Thomas deemed it a clone of Mario Kart and criticized the level design, noting a lack of items and shortcuts,[2] with Louis Bedigian of GameZone adding that the levels were "awkward, overcrowded, and do not make much sense".[3] Thomas and Bedigian singled out the interior areas as being difficult to navigate due to having narrow doorways. The reviewers also criticized the game's frame rate,[2] especially in multiplayer modes.[3] Thomas additionally found fault with the lack of a four-player mode, the long loading screens between races, and failure to incorporate "the playful personalities of the M&M's characters" into the gameplay.[2] Bedigian also voiced displeasure with the game's camera, as well as its repetitive music and voice acting.[3]

Retrospectively, M&M's Kart Racing is regarded as one of the worst racing games of all time. The game was chosen as one of GameZone's "most abysmal racing games ever", due to the sluggish pace of the game and the dialogue.[22] GamesRadar ranked it 32nd on their "The 50 Worst Games of All Time." They criticized the Wii's motion controls making the karts difficult to handle and the absence of items to use in races, saying most Mario Kart rip-offs include the use of items.[23] The same publication also included the game in its list of "[t]he most forgettable kart racers ever released".[24] In 2020, Nintendo Life deemed it one of the nine strangest choices for licensed kart racing games.[25] Screen Rant deemed it one of the nine worst racing games of all time.[26] TheGamer criticized the game's visuals.[27]

Notes

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  1. ^ The back of the Wii version's box incorrectly states that there are 10 race tracks.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Destination Software 2007, p. 9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Thomas, Lucas M. (May 12, 2012) [March 3, 2008]. "M&M's Kart Racing Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Bedigian, Louis (January 7, 2008). "M&Ms Kart Racing – WII – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 27, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Calvert, Justin (April 15, 2008). "M&M's Kart Racing Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Campbell, Evan. "M&M's Kart Racing". Nintendojo. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Devries, Jack (May 12, 2012) [April 2, 2008]. "M&M's Kart Racing Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d Destination Software 2007, p. 6.
  8. ^ a b Destination Software 2007, p. 7.
  9. ^ a b Destination Software 2007, p. 5.
  10. ^ David, Mike (May 3, 2007). "M&M;'s Break'Em". GameZone. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  11. ^ Riley, Adam (May 23, 2007). "Nintendo News | Zoo Digital Reveals Extensive Wii/DS Line-Up". Cubed3. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  12. ^ Kozanecki, James (February 10, 2008). "AU Shippin' Out November 27-30: Super Mario Galaxy". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  13. ^ "M&M's Kart Racing". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "M&M's Kart Racing". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Garratt, Patrick (April 21, 2008). "Worldwide releases: Friday April 25". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "M&M's Kart Racing for Wii". GameRankings. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  17. ^ a b "M&M's Kart Racing for DS". GameRankings. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  18. ^ Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2011. Guinness World Records. 2011. p. 80. Retrieved October 25, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ Jellyman, Chris (June 30, 2022). "10 Video Games That Promote Food & Drink". Game Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  20. ^ Siegel, Scott Jon (November 17, 2007). "Today's most hilariously atrocious video: M&M's Kart Racing". Joystiq. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  21. ^ "Best of 2008: Dubious Honors – Flat-Out Worst Game". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. December 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Haske, Steve (16 November 2010). "The Most Abysmal Racing Games Ever". GameZone. Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  23. ^ "The 50 worst games of all time". GamesRadar+. 2017-08-09. Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  24. ^ Gilbert, Henry (May 28, 2014). "The most forgettable kart racers ever released". GamesRadar+. p. 8. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  25. ^ Scullion, Chris (July 23, 2020). "Feature: The 9 Strangest Choices For Licensed Karting Games". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  26. ^ Chrysostomou, George (February 21, 2021). "9 Of The Worst Racing Games Of All Time, Ranked". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  27. ^ "Last Place: 20 ABSOLUTELY Horrible Racing Games". TheGamer. Valnet. April 27, 2017. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2025.

Booklets

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