In a world where cat memes reign supreme, and lasagna is the only food group that matters, Garfield Kart: Furious Racing takes you on a wild ride that aims to be a mash-up of speed, nostalgia, and a heavy dollop of personality. Will this kart racer end up in the litter box of mediocrity, or can it stand tall like Garfield after a satisfying meal? Let's buckle up, and find out!
Much like the Mario Kart franchise (but with more fat and less Italian), Garfield Kart: Furious Racing allows players to race as multiple characters from 'The Garfield Show' through whimsical tracks inspired by a burger-loving cat's imagination. Players can pick characters like the titular Garfield or his loyal sidekick, Jon Arbuckle, originally available at launch. As you speed around the tracks, you can unlock other cast members like Odie and Arlene while collecting items to torpedo your friends-or foes, if you prefer-to ensure your reign of lasagna supremacy. Tracks range from the Lasagna Cup to the secret Ice Cream Cup (truly groundbreaking) with a scattering of humor that makes each race feel just as chaotic as a cat on catnip. There are three difficulty settings: 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. It's like a digital buffet where your skill level can dictate how much lasagna you can consume at once. Customization is also on the menu! Players can modify their vehicles with various parts and paint jobs. Want a pink racing car with Garfield decals? Go right ahead, no one's stopping you. The game also features daily challenges to keep the excitement alive (or at least the illusion of it). However, fair warning: the online mode is exclusively available on Windows, which is just cheeky bad luck for console players in 2023. So you might want to throw a small tantrum before settling into couch races only with your fellow PS4 gamers for the time being.
Visually, Garfield Kart: Furious Racing is a mix of flat colors and cartoonish styling straight from the comic strips. It's charming enough, but don't expect to be dazzled. The graphics stroll comfortably in the 'cute and simple' category. You won't find any hyper-realistic shadows or crisp textures-those were likely left out intentionally for budget reasons. Given that this game feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the design does work... tauntingly reminding you of what great graphics should actually look like while still being just fun enough not to roll your eyes at the screen constantly. Additionally, the animations during races maintain a solid pace, without glitches that could take you out of the immersion, unless you're glancing at Odie trying to win with his tongue hanging out. This level of unintended hilarity does add a charm to the overall experience. Just like Garfield himself, the graphics won't win any awards but definitely bring a smile to your face.
Garfield Kart: Furious Racing certainly isn't reinventing the wheel-or the lasagna cart, for that matter. The quirky humor, entertaining gameplay mechanics, and a cast drenched in nostalgia make it a delightful (if somewhat flawed) foray into the kart racing genre. While it might not reach the dizzying heights of its competitors, it's entertaining enough for those who want a lighthearted experience-especially when throwing well-aimed pies (or course) at friends. Just don't expect serious competitors; after all, this is Garfield we're talking about, the laziest cat on the planet. Children of the meme era will likely enjoy the ride, but adults might find themselves craving something more substantial after a few races. A solid 5 out of 10, embodying the spirit of hungry cats everywhere.