Joystiq

LittleBigPlanet Karting arriving in 2012 from ModNation Racers devs

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST

After briefly hearing about LittleBigPlanet Karting in early February, Sony decided to share some new details this morning on the upcoming adorable kart racer. United Front Games is handling production duties - which makes sense given the developer's track record with ModNation Racers - and the team promises the same level of dedication and attention to detail that Media Molecule lavishes on its main franchise LBP titles.

Like those main titles, LBP Karting will support a full creation system, which allows players to craft new levels, racers, and even "to modify the rules of the game itself to create completely new modes and challenges," according to UFG senior producer James Grieve. He also says that some form of "community experience" will be included, though he stops short of saying whether LBP.me will play some part in that experience.

When we first heard about LBP Karting, the game was said to feature PlayStation Move functionality as well, a la Mario Kart for Wii. However, neither Sony nor United Front Games mentions as much in this announcement. What we do know for sure is this: LittleBigPlanet Karting will launch at some point in 2012 on the PlayStation 3.

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet Karting

LittleBigPlanet Karting arriving in 2012 from ModNation Racers devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blur trailer takes a lap around the world, pulls into the virtual garage

David Hinkle — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:14:00 EST

Xbox 360 owners can actually sample Blur's particular brand of chaos right now -- a decision we'd say is "most wise." For the rest of you, the only solace we can offer is via a new trailer, admittedly awesome in its own right due to a high volume of hot whips.

From licensed cars to completely fictional autos, it's all covered in the video above. There's even a rundown of the 14 different locations you'll be able to deposit some burnt rubber, if that's what you're after. Check it all out in the video above.

Blur trailer takes a lap around the world, pulls into the virtual garage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

Justin McElroy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST

It could just be our lowered expectations for games including kart racing, Sonic or "All-Stars" in the title, but we were pretty surprised by the positive buzz for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing; the Wii, PS3 and 360 versions are all doing well with a 79 percent average on Metacritic. Here's what's being said:

GameSpot (80/100): "Although the core of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is obviously pulled straight out of Mario Kart, this wacky racer can stand on its own four wheels. The tight controls and excellent track design ensure that head-to-head competition is always exciting, but it's so fun just to play around with these karts that it's easy to lose hours climbing the online leaderboards in Time Trial mode."

1UP (B): "Though it has some hiccups, unexciting party modes, and a questionable difficulty curve, All-Stars Racing is a respectable effort that makes a good kart racer at its core (and is at least much more cohesive than Sega Superstars Tennis)."

Nintendo Power (8/10): "It isn't quite the fan paradise it could have been, but it's a very good racer that makes great use of classic Sega franchises. We wouldn't mind a sequel with more franchises and tracks included."

IGN: (8/10): "It's pleasantly surprising to find out that the Nintendo Wii edition - apart from the lower resolution - gets similar treatment with close to the exact same features as the stronger hardware."

Metareview: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ModNation Racers expanding to PSP

JC Fletcher — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST

Sony's customizable PS3 kart racer, ModNation Racers, is being shrunk down for a PSP version, to be released alongside its big brother sometime this spring. According to SCEE product manager Liam Quigley, the PSP game will have the same creative tools as the console iteration -- meaning you'll be able to mod and not just race, with the ability to create your own tracks, cars and racers. In addition, "You will also be able to upload, download, remix, and race creations by the PSP ModNation community," Quigley said.

Once you've created or downloaded your own (likely vulgar) avatar, car and racetrack, you'll be able to race on your new track with up to 6 other PSP players online. That's some pretty big functionality for a handheld game!

ModNation Racers expanding to PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco registers Japanese trademark for 'Pac-Man Kart Rally'

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:04:00 EST

Pac-Man World Rally for PS2

Namco Bandai has registered trademarks in Japan for Pac-Man Kart Rally -- and Pac-Man Rally Kart. It just couldn't decide! Siliconera notes that the previous Pac-Man kart racer, Pac-Man World Rally (not Rally World) was never released in Japan, so if this one is intended for Japan, it'll be the nation's first Pac-Man vs. ghosts racer.

As for what Namco Bandai will use this trademark for, we have no real information. It makes sense for Namco Bandai to be thinking of releasing new Pac games on the 30th anniversary of the arcade original. Were we to guess, we would point out that there have been a lot of iPhone games out of Namco lately, and Konami recently put a mascot kart racer on the platform.

Namco registers Japanese trademark for 'Pac-Man Kart Rally' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Banjo-Kazooie hit the track in Sega All-Stars Racing trailer

David Hinkle — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:15:00 EST

Rare's bear and backpacked bird make their debut in this latest Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing trailer. The Banjo-Kazooie team tear up the track big-truck style -- mainly because they're in a big friggin' truck. The trailer also takes care to remind us Avatars will be playable in the Xbox 360 version of the game -- but, really, who cares? Banjo and Kazooie are in a big friggin' truck!

Banjo-Kazooie hit the track in Sega All-Stars Racing trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision announces Madagascar Kartz, misses crucial naming opportunity

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

How it is that a company as business savvy as Activision misses the staring-them-right-in-the-face opportunity to name a kart racing-themed Madagascar game "Madagaskartz," rather than Madagascar Kartz? That's just what the company has named its upcoming kart racer, starring the cast of the animated movie, coming to current-gen consoles on October 27.

Worried that the game might only be for kidz? Activision's David Oxford claims the game was designed for all ages, saying, "With the whole family competing against each other as their favorite zoosters, you have never seen action this wild." Clearly Mr. Oxford doesn't know about our weekend trip to Tijuana a month back.

Gallery: Madagascar Kartz

Activision announces Madagascar Kartz, misses crucial naming opportunity originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Krazy Kart Racing: Pyramid Head vs. Frogger

JC Fletcher — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:52:00 EST

Konami's mascot kart racing game Krazy Kart Racers materialized on the iPhone App Store last night. Why would you possibly want to pay $8 for a 3D kart racer on iPhone, if you're not one of the few people dying for a successor to Konami Krazy Racers on GBA?

Well, the roster includes not only Pyramid Head, but Robbie the Rabbit from Silent Hill, making this officially the creepiest kart racer ever. In fact, the App Store description says, "If you have trouble staying on course try using Robbie the Rabbit. He's a bit slow but easiest to control." He's not just in the game, he's the beginner character!

Other confirmed characters ("confirmed" meaning we see them in screens) include Power Pro-kun, Frogger, Evil Rose from Rumble Roses ( ... ), Sparkster, Pentarou, Goemon, and Tako from Parodius.

Krazy Kart Racers (Konami, $7.99)

Krazy Kart Racing: Pyramid Head vs. Frogger originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE's Free Realms closed beta now open

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:50:00 EST

As per Sony Online Entertainment's word, the free-to-play MMO unironically named Free Realms has opened the doors of its closed beta to the world. Aside from the kart racing and pet raising, we imagine users will start flooding into the online world and immediately partake in our time-honored tradition of Quincying. (Go, Joystiq Hive Mind!)

Like most betas, this one's asking its users to keep quiet on the inner workings of the game, though, ironically, SOE is asking participants to blabber on to their hearts content on the game website's public forums. For those of you looking for hot scoops on Free Realms, now you know where to go. And did we mention we have a tips box that guarantees anonymity?

SOE's Free Realms closed beta now open originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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