When Super Mario Kart was launched for the SNES in 1992, it started a whole new racing genre.

Today kart racing is hugely popular with Mario Kart Wii having sold more than 22 million copies to date — the highest selling kart racer of all time.

Now there’s a new kid on the block aiming to take proceedings to new, more mature heights.

The game’s television advertisements make a big play over it’s more mature approach to karting — the realistic vehicles and lifelike backdrops justify the claims.

The game is made by Bizarre Creations, the Liverpool-based developer that has racing cut right through it. Its Project Gotham Racing series was in pole position for years and now that game has zoomed off into the distance, in comes something even more cool.

You race against 19 opponents in a game of great depth. When you emerge victorious from an event, you earn lights. There are bonus lights if you complete special tasks. The more lights you gain, the more new events you can unlock. And if you’re particular good on the racetrack, you earn fans. And these get you new cars.

So for a new franchise, this is one helluva debut.

5/5