DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 157 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing Game Cover
While DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing doesn't offer much to distinguish itself from other kart racers, it's still a fun and affordable game for the whole family.
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"DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing" is a fun-filled kart racing game featuring popular characters from DreamWorks movies. Race on 20 exciting tracks, including Shrek’s Swamp, New York City Zoo from Madagascar, and Isle of Berk. Choose from 20 iconic characters, such as Shrek, Po, and Hiccup, and customize your kart with various parts and accessory combinations.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 157 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun selection of DreamWorks characters and tracks, appealing to fans of the franchise.
  • Some unique mechanics, like dynamic shortcuts and a two-weapon system, add variety to the gameplay.
  • The graphics and overall atmosphere are visually appealing, with vibrant track designs that reference popular DreamWorks movies.
  • The voice acting is subpar, with many characters sounding off and lacking the charm of the original actors.
  • Gameplay suffers from numerous technical issues, including sluggish controls, frequent glitches, and a lack of controller support.
  • The AI is poorly designed, making races feel unchallenging and often leading to a lack of excitement during gameplay.
  • gameplay61 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of polish and inspiration compared to established titles like Mario Kart. While some mechanics, such as unique paths and battle features, are appreciated, the overall experience is described as sluggish and repetitive, with uninspired item designs and a steep learning curve due to excessive tutorialization. Despite its visual appeal and potential for future improvements, the gameplay currently feels unrefined and lacking in challenge.

    • “The battle mechanics are nice; you got the usual boxes with random items and a team of trolls that have special abilities (all speed related) when you collect enough music notes scattered in the map.”
    • “There's also a lyre mechanic that spawns an alternative path temporarily through the stage, usually allowing shortcuts.”
    • “Controls and mechanics are solid, the sense of speed is there, and the AI is actually somewhat competent.”
    • “While I love the characters and the track design, the gameplay lacks weight.”
    • “The items in the game are visually boring, mechanically uninspired, and are a weak effort when you have all the IPs present in this game.”
    • “As for the gameplay itself, the tracks are very wide with little to no challenge.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players describing it as bland, generic, and unoriginal, often comparing it unfavorably to other titles like the Nickelodeon Karts series. While some tracks are noted to be better than expected, overall, the soundtrack fails to leave a memorable impression, leading players to turn it off during gameplay. The incorporation of different music genres based on character selection adds some variety, but many still find the overall musical experience lacking.

    • “Dreamworks original games and films are known for their original musical scores and orchestra.”
    • “Pros being it's fun and the tracks and characters picked were (mostly) good choices, the music is also better than what you would expect for a game like this.”
    • “Also depending on the host, the genre of the music on the track will try to capture.”
    • “After that, I turned the music off because it was honestly so bland. I'd say it wasn't fitting music, but the tracks are just as bland honestly.”
    • “The music is way too campy and feels like a straight-up copy of the Nickelodeon Karts series.”
    • “I didn't like the music at all; it makes the game feel generic. I don't recognize any melody; they all feel like they were built from modifying some other song.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered attractive, with a solid art style that captures the essence of the DreamWorks characters, though they are not groundbreaking. However, many users criticize the limited graphics settings and poor character models, suggesting that the visuals could benefit from further refinement and additional options. Overall, while the graphics contribute positively to the atmosphere, they fall short of expectations compared to other racing games.

    • “The graphics are very attractive, not mind-blowing or anything, but the atmosphere is there.”
    • “I'd say the graphics overall look better than Nickelodeon Kart Racing, but it might just be that DreamWorks CGI characters obviously translate better to video games.”
    • “The game's graphics are insane, the map design is beyond amazing, and the gameplay is fun and satisfying.”
    • “The ground work could be there if updates were to be implemented for more tracks or fixes of visuals for this game, but for now I just feel it needs more time in the shop.”
    • “Character models are poor and there are almost no graphics options at all.”
    • “Very limited graphical options, with no support for things that should be easy to implement in UE4 games like DLSS/DLAA, and no option for increasing render resolution, and no support for high refresh rates.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is polarizing; while some players find the over-the-top antics and character interactions amusing, others feel that the reliance on screaming and laughter detracts from the experience. Many reviewers noted missed opportunities for clever themed voicelines, leading to a lack of engaging dialogue. Overall, the humor can be overwhelming, making it difficult for some players to focus on gameplay.

    • “Game was waaaaaaaay too fast, with waaaaaaaaaay too much funny haha's.”
    • “Kept me laughing so hard, couldn't play the game.”
    • “+ funny moments like a character screaming while you fly past them ('--aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa--')”
    • “It's not funny bad, it just sucks.”
    • “It's not funny bad, it just sucks.”
  • story6 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional story mode, focusing instead on unlocking characters and kart parts through repetitive missions and challenges, which some players find tedious. Additionally, players have reported numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustrations with gameplay mechanics. Overall, the absence of a narrative element makes the game feel more like a cash grab than a fully developed experience.

    • “Although the game has different modes like cups, challenges, free races, and time trials, the game does not actually have a story mode, which makes it feel like a cash grab.”
    • “The missions to unlock racers and some kart pieces aren't too bad, just a bit repetitive. However, this is also where I encountered many game-breaking bugs, such as my kart getting stuck in mid-air after performing air jumps and falling off the track while being nowhere near the edge.”
    • “So you're telling me that not only do I need to win cups or challenges to unlock characters, but when I do, I also need in-game currency and must complete specific character missions to unlock the ability to buy kart parts to make my kart faster and handle better?”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization of Dreamwork All-Star Racing has been perceived as more genuine compared to other titles like Disney Speedstorm, with players appreciating its unique mechanics and inclusive design. However, there are concerns about its marketing strategy, as many users were unaware of the game's release until shortly before it launched, suggesting a lack of effective advertising. Overall, while some elements may initially appear cash-driven, the game is viewed as offering substantial value.

    • “Dreamwork All-Star Racing is actually a great game, even if it looks more like a cash grab to play.”
    • “One thing could be advertising or the lack thereof; I hadn't even heard this was coming out until a month just before release through word of mouth.”
    • “It does feel like it's not just trying to be a cash grab.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs, unresponsive controls, and issues like data loss and erratic AI behavior. Many players feel the game is unfinished and plagued by glitches, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from gameplay. Overall, the lack of stability significantly impacts player enjoyment and engagement.

    • “Hey, fix this game, it keeps stopping me when I go fast, it makes me stop on ramps and I can't move. Sometimes I fall slowly for no reason, and the game erased my hard-earned data for no reason. Fix your buggy game, I will never play this again.”
    • “The game also seems buggy, with changes to control mapping either not applying at all or becoming randomized.”
    • “The game sometimes feels unfinished with the AI being broken and glitches occurring quite frequently during gameplay. No online scene makes it quite barren and there's nobody to share your experiences with, while kart racers are known for the online competition most of the time.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received criticism, particularly regarding its questionable performance on the Steam Deck, which many users find unsatisfactory. Additionally, the game's design choices and unstable performance detract from the overall experience, overshadowing its admirable attempts at authenticity and references.

    • “Steam Deck performance is very questionable; fix that.”
    • “Its attempts at authenticity and its numerous references are admirable, but it really lets itself down on the track with frustrating design choices, unstable performance, and a forgettable range of power-ups.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is generally considered appealing, bolstered by attractive graphics, though some users feel that subpar voice acting detracts from the overall experience. While the visuals contribute positively, the quality of the audio elements can undermine the immersive quality of the atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are very attractive, not mind-blowing or anything, but the atmosphere is there.”
    • “Doesn't help that the obviously cheap impersonation or AI-powered voice acting ruins the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are very attractive, not mind-blowing or anything, but the atmosphere is lacking.”
    • “The voice acting feels cheap and detracts from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Many users express that the game has limited replayability due to its gameplay mechanics and overall structure, which fail to engage them for multiple playthroughs.

    • “The aspects that drive me away and make me feel that this game has very little replay value are the way the game plays and ties together.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics and overall structure leave me feeling that there is minimal replay value.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express frustration with the excessive grinding in the game, suggesting it feels like a lack of confidence in the core gameplay, as developers resort to adding unnecessary content to prolong playtime.

    • “Was there really not enough confidence in the game that they had to throw in extra fluff to keep the players playing and grinding for these parts?”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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