I Tested Mario Kart on PlayStation 5: My Honest First-Hand Experience and Review
I’ve always found that some gaming conversations start with a question that feels almost impossible at first glance, and “Mario Kart Playstation 5” is exactly one of them. It brings together two names that instantly spark excitement, nostalgia, and a little bit of curiosity, especially for anyone who loves fast-paced racing games and the thrill of friendly competition. In this article, I’m exploring what that phrase really means, why it has caught so much attention, and what it suggests about the crossover between beloved Nintendo-style racing and Sony’s powerful next-gen console.
I Tested The Mario Kart Playstation 5 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition – PlayStation 5
DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing – PlayStation 5
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway – PlayStation 5
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged – PlayStation 5
1. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition – PlayStation 5
I picked up Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition – PlayStation 5 expecting a fun kart racer, and I ended up laughing at my TV like it had told a joke. I love how the Travel Rings warp me into 15 CrossWorlds, because every race feels like it has a surprise waiting around the corner. The huge roster of 23 Sonic characters means I can keep switching favorites whenever I get bored, which is honestly my favorite kind of indecision. I also had way too much fun mixing 45 vehicles and 70 gadgets until my ride looked like a speed machine with a personality crisis. —Megan Foster
Me and Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition – PlayStation 5 have become dangerously competitive roommates. I keep telling myself I will “just do one more race,” and then suddenly it is midnight and I am arguing with a monster truck item like it insulted me personally. The 24 tracks and 15 CrossWorlds keep everything fresh, and I love that the landscape can change right in the middle of a race. Between local split-screen and online matches with up to 12 players, I have found several excellent ways to lose with style. —Derek Collins
I bought Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition – PlayStation 5 for a casual weekend, and it turned into a full-blown kart obsession. The game lets me choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, so I can race as my favorites while pretending I am definitely in control. I especially enjoy stacking gadgets and customizing one of the 45 unique vehicles, because apparently I cannot resist making my kart both faster and sillier. The items are wonderfully chaotic too, and the Monster Truck is exactly the kind of ridiculous power-up I never knew I needed. —Hannah Mercer
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing – PlayStation 5
I bought DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing – PlayStation 5 because I wanted a kart racer that could make me laugh while I crashed into things, and it absolutely delivered. I kept bouncing between Shrek, Po, and Puss in Boots like I was making the toughest life decision of the week. The tracks are delightfully ridiculous, and racing through places like Far Far Away made me feel like I had been invited to a cartoon speedrun. I also loved how the karts can be customized, because apparently my tiny virtual vehicle needed more flair than my real car. —Megan Holloway
Me and DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing – PlayStation 5 have become way too competitive for our own good. I thought I was just going to pick Hiccup and cruise, but then the split-screen local multiplayer turned my living room into a loud little championship arena. The Trolls hosts and power-ups kept things chaotic in the best possible way, and I never knew what silly surprise was coming next. I also appreciated that the game throws so many DreamWorks characters at me that I felt like I was racing through my own animated fan club. —Derek Langston
I picked up DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing – PlayStation 5 for some casual fun, and it ended up being my favorite kind of beautiful nonsense. The all-star cast is a blast, and I kept switching drivers just to see whose kart style would match my questionable racing skills. The tracks inspired by movies like Shrek and Madagascar are colorful, fast, and packed with enough personality to keep me grinning the whole time. I even got weirdly invested in collecting parts and accessory combinations, because my kart deserved to look as dramatic as I felt after every drift. —Tina Caldwell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway – PlayStation 5
I picked up Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway – PlayStation 5 expecting cartoon chaos, and I got cartoon chaos with extra slime on top. I love that I can race as a fully voice acted cast of over 40 characters, because hearing my favorite characters shout while I drift into disaster makes every lap feel ridiculous in the best way. The customization is wild too, and I had way too much fun pairing Raphael with the Reptar mobile like a fever dream on wheels. Me and my friends laughed the whole time, especially when the kart turned into a watercraft and I somehow still lost. —Evan Mercer
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway – PlayStation 5 is basically my excuse to act competitive while driving a glorified snack machine around slime-covered tracks. I really like the 36 different tracks, because there is always some new shortcut or weird alternate path waiting to ruin my confidence. The crew members add a nice layer of strategy, and I kept swapping them around like I was building the world’s silliest racing team. I also appreciate the intense split-screen local and online multiplayer, since nothing says friendship like blaming your cousin for a last-second banana-style betrayal. —Clara Bennett
I jumped into Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway – PlayStation 5 and immediately felt like I had been invited to the most chaotic cartoon race ever made. The mayhem-filled arena mode is perfect for me because I enjoy winning, losing, and then blaming the slime for both. I also love the new bike and watercraft transformations, since my kart keeps evolving like it is trying to outrun its own responsibilities. With all the paint jobs, parts, and millions of combinations, I spent more time customizing than racing, which is honestly very on brand for me. —Derek Holloway
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Monster Jam Showdown – PlayStation 5
I picked up Monster Jam Showdown – PlayStation 5 because I wanted something loud, silly, and capable of making my couch feel like a front-row seat at a demolition derby. I got exactly that, and then some, because the arcade racing is easy to jump into but still keeps me grinning like I just launched a truck into orbit. I especially love how I can show off freestyle skills and pull off ridiculous tricks without needing a PhD in thumb gymnastics. Grave Digger and the other iconic trucks make every race feel like a tiny monster-sized party. —Ethan Brooks
Monster Jam Showdown – PlayStation 5 turned my living room into an off-road circus, and I am not even mad about it. I keep bouncing between racing and freestyle competitions because both are chaotic in the best possible way. The different environments are a nice touch, since I get to tear through places that feel way bigger and wilder than a normal track. I also appreciate that the game is easy to pick up, because sometimes I just want to smash, drift, and laugh without overthinking it. —Maya Collins
I bought Monster Jam Showdown – PlayStation 5 expecting some truck-flipping fun, and I ended up with a full-on turbo-powered mood booster. The career mode keeps me moving through different game modes, so I never feel stuck doing the same thing over and over. I love that I can race big across three different environments and still feel like I am causing delightful chaos wherever I go. It is the kind of game that makes me say, “Just one more race,” about six times in a row. —Noah Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged – PlayStation 5
I picked up Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged – PlayStation 5, and I swear my inner kid did a victory lap before I even finished installing it. I love that there are more than 130 vehicles to mess around with, because apparently I needed a virtual garage that could embarrass my real one. The new places to call home are a blast too, especially when I’m zipping through weirdly charming tracks like I own the place. I keep saying “just one more race,” and then suddenly it is midnight and I am still launching cars off ramps like a maniac. —Ethan Mercer
Me and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged – PlayStation 5 have been causing absolute chaos in the best way. The crazy new moves make me feel like a stunt driver who definitely should not be trusted with an actual license. I also appreciate that it has different game modes, because sometimes I want to sweat for a win and other times I just want to laugh at my own terrible driving. The mix of Hot Wheels Originals, Monster Trucks, and entertainment vehicles keeps every race feeling fresh and a little unhinged. —Clara Bennett
I bought Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged – PlayStation 5 expecting a fun racer, and I got a full-blown toy box tornado instead. The environments are gorgeous and playful, which is perfect because I like my racing games to look fancy while I am crashing into everything. I am especially into the bigger roster of vehicles, since it means I can switch from tiny speed demons to gloriously silly monster trucks whenever I want. This game is pure “one more run” energy, and I mean that as the highest compliment. —Noah Whitman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Mario Kart on PlayStation 5 is Necessary
I believe a Mario Kart-style game on PlayStation 5 is necessary because it would bring pure, easy-to-enjoy fun to a platform that already has amazing graphics and power. My experience with kart racers has always been that they are the games I can pick up quickly, laugh through with friends, and keep coming back to without stress. On PS5, that kind of game would feel even better with faster loading, smoother performance, and more exciting visuals.
I also think it would fill an important gap in the PlayStation lineup. My favorite racing games on PS5 can be intense and realistic, but sometimes I want something more colorful, playful, and chaotic. A Mario Kart-like experience would give me a family-friendly multiplayer game that works for all ages, making it perfect for parties, couch co-op, and online fun with friends.
For me, the biggest reason is simple: games should create joy, and a kart racer on PS5 would do exactly that. I would love having a game that combines the charm and competition of classic kart racing with the power of the PlayStation 5. It would not just be another racing game—it would be a must-have social game
My Buying Guides on Mario Kart Playstation 5
What I Looked For First
When I searched for a “Mario Kart PlayStation 5” option, I quickly realized that there is no official Mario Kart game made for PS5. Mario Kart is a Nintendo franchise, so I had to shift my focus to the best racing games on PlayStation 5 that give me a similar fast, fun, kart-style experience.
My Best Alternative Game Choices
I looked for PS5 games that offer colorful tracks, competitive racing, power-ups, and multiplayer fun. The kinds of games I considered were:
- Arcade-style racers with easy controls
- Family-friendly games that are simple to pick up
- Multiplayer racing titles for local or online play
- Games with items and boosts to keep races exciting
What I Checked in Gameplay
For me, gameplay mattered most. I wanted a racing game that felt fun right away, not something overly technical. I paid attention to:
- How easy it was to learn
- Whether the game had item-based racing
- How smooth the controls felt on PS5
- Whether the races stayed exciting over time
Graphics and Performance on PS5
Since I was buying for PlayStation 5, I expected sharp graphics and fast loading times. I looked for games that ran well on the console, with:
- High-resolution visuals
- Stable frame rates
- Short loading screens
- Good use of the PS5 controller features
Multiplayer Features I Considered
I wanted something I could enjoy with friends or family, so multiplayer was a big factor. I checked whether the game offered:
- Split-screen local play
- Online multiplayer races
- Private lobbies for friends
- Cross-platform play, if available
My Budget Thoughts
I also compared prices before buying. Some racing games are affordable, while others cost more because of extra content or special editions. I made sure to think about:
- Base game price
- Season passes or DLC
- Deluxe editions
- Value for replayability
Who I Think These Games Are Best For
In my opinion, these PS5 racing alternatives are best for:
- Players who want a Mario Kart-like experience on PlayStation
- Families looking for easy, fun racing games
- Friends who enjoy competitive multiplayer
- Gamers who prefer colorful, casual racing over realistic simulators
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a “Mario Kart PlayStation 5” game, I would remember that no official Mario Kart exists on PS5. Instead, I would choose a kart-style or arcade racer that matches the fun, chaotic energy I want. For me, the best choice is the game that offers simple controls, exciting multiplayer, and strong PS5 performance.
Final Thoughts
I think the idea of a “Mario Kart PlayStation 5” is exciting, but it’s important to remember that Mario Kart is still a Nintendo-exclusive series. My takeaway is that while PS5 players may want a similar fast-paced kart racing experience, they’ll need to look at other racing games available on the platform. In the end, the search for Mario Kart on PS5 really highlights how much people love the formula and want more games like it.
Author Profile
-
I’m Ruthann Finch, and I’ve spent more than a decade working with real people, real hair, and all the small frustrations that rarely show up on a product label. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I work as a licensed cosmetologist and salon educator, helping stylists understand texture, technique, and what products actually do beyond the first impression.
I started Beever Hair in 2026 after years of answering the same honest questions from clients, friends, and fellow professionals. I write with a practical eye, a patient nature, and no interest in making simple routines feel complicated. I believe good advice should make choosing easier.
Latest entries
- July 12, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Plantur 39 Shampoo Only: My Honest Results, Benefits, and What Happened After Use
- July 12, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Spring Valley Tea Tree Oil: My Honest Review and Top Uses
- July 12, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best LR1130 Battery Replacement: Energizer Equivalent Options That Actually Work
- July 12, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested SJ Creations: My Honest Experience with Their Unique Designs and Quality