M&M's Kart Racing's gameplay revolves around playing single-player and multiplayergame 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 motion controls, lack of items, and poor implementation of the M&M's license. Retrospectively, it is regarded as one of the worst racing games of all time.
Players can choose from seven different race vehicles which can be selected in the M&M's garage. Races take place in street, dirt, ice and sandy environments which affect vehicle handling in different ways. During races, players can collect cups of coffee to get a small speed boost. The player can also pick up chocolate coins scattered across the raceway. These coins will unlock new vehicles when specific amounts are collected. In the arcade game mode, players must collect a specified amount of these coins to proceed to the next race track. To get a turbo boost at the start of a race, players must shake their Wii Remote. To turn their vehicle a player also must tilt their Wii Remote.
The Nintendo DS version of the game features only 12 race tracks instead of 15 and also features the addition of items.[a] The DS version uses D-pad controls to steer the karts, opposed to the Wii version which uses motion controls. Like many portable ports of console games of the era, this one features simplified graphics and audio.
The Wii version of M&M's Kart Racing was released in Australia on November 29, 2007.[4] The Wii version was subsequently released in North America on December 5, 2007,[5] with the DS version being released in the same region on March 24, 2008.[6] Both versions of the game were released in Europe on April 25, 2008.[7]
M&M's Kart Racing was critically panned upon release. It has a GameRankings score of 23% and 22% for the Wii and DS versions, respectively,[9][8] earning it Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2011's award for the lowest-rated kart game.[15]
IGN cited that "commercial mascots make terrible video games" and that the game "barely uses the license at all".[12][13]GameSpot opined that the game "could put you off M&M's for life".[10] It also awarded the game "Flat-out Worst Game" award in its "Best of 2008" awards.[16]GameZone also panned it,[11] as did Nintendojo.[14]
Gameplay footage of the game was featured as Joystiq's "Today's most hilariously atrocious video", stating that the gameplay footage "is a true testament to the wrong way to build a kart racer".[17]
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.[18]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.[19] The same publication also included the game in its list of "[t]he most forgettable kart racers ever released".[20]
Notes
↑ The back of the Wii version's box incorrectly states that there are 10 race tracks rather than 15.
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