Softonic’s coverage of Nintendo Music adding the Mario Kart World soundtrack only reminded PC players what they’re missing: Mario Kart World is a Switch 2 exclusive, and the only way to play it on a desktop is to be on a console. The good news in 2026 is that the PC kart-racing field is the strongest it’s been in a decade. There are real alternatives that capture the item-and-drift loop, the four-player couch chaos, and the cup-by-cup progression Mario Kart has owned for 30 years.
We tested seven Mario Kart World alternatives on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The list runs from the closest direct competitors that opened against MKW this year, through the established Sega catalogue, to the free open-source option that still holds up at LAN parties.
Why look for Mario Kart World alternatives on PC
The answer is simple — MKW doesn’t exist on PC and won’t. But the deeper question is what you’re trying to replicate. Most people want one of these:
- Couch multiplayer for four players. MKW supports up to four split-screen on one console. The alternatives below differ wildly on local multiplayer support.
- Items, drift, and rubber-band catch-up. The chaos balance of red shells, blue shells, and last-place comeback items is its own subgenre. A serious sim-racer like Assetto Corsa won’t satisfy here.
- Track variety and unlockable content. MKW ships dozens of tracks with retro returns. A two-track racer won’t replace it.
- Online matchmaking. MKW’s online lobbies fill in seconds. Player counts matter for any alternative.
The picks below are ranked by how well they hit those four targets together.
Quick comparison
| Game | Best for | Local multiplayer | Steam price | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | The closest direct competitor | Yes, up to 4 | $59.99 | Travel-ring track-switching mid-race |
| The Karters 2: Turbo Charged | Crash-Team-Racing style on PC | Yes, up to 4 | $29.99 | Drift boost ladder, heavy mod support |
| Disney Speedstorm | Free-to-play with hero-based racers | Yes, up to 4 | Free | Live service, monthly seasons |
| Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed | The classic that holds up | Yes, up to 4 | $19.99 | Land, sea, air transforming vehicles |
| SuperTuxKart | Open-source free option | Yes, up to 8 | Free | LAN multiplayer, no purchase needed |
| Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 | Family pick for younger players | Yes, up to 4 | $39.99 | Slime mechanic, Nick character roster |
| KartKraft | The serious karting sim | No (online only) | $19.99 | Realistic kart physics for sim-racers |
The 7 best Mario Kart World alternatives for PC
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds — closest direct competitor
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is Sega’s 2025 kart racer and the first PC release in years that genuinely tries to match Mario Kart’s tempo. Twenty-four-driver lobbies, drift-boost chaining, items that swing fights, and tracks that switch dimension mid-race via “Travel Rings”. Local split-screen for up to four is supported on PC out of the box, which is the single hardest box to tick on this list. The roster spans Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, Pac-Man, Joker from Persona 5, and a steady drip of crossover guests through 2026.
Where it falls short: Online matchmaking outside peak hours can take 30–60 seconds. The character-balance updates have rebalanced winners more than once.
Pricing: $59.99 on Steam, often discounted to $29.
Platforms: Windows. Steam Deck Verified.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The default pick. Closest to MKW in feel, ships everything you need on PC.
The Karters 2: Turbo Charged — Crash-Team-Racing-style on PC
The Karters 2: Turbo Charged is the indie kart racer that took the Crash Team Racing drift-boost system and rebuilt it on PC with modding in mind. Track design rewards holding drift through entire corners, the boost ladder (sapphire, gold, ruby) gives high-skill players a wide ceiling, and the Steam Workshop has been quietly accumulating community tracks since launch. Four-player split-screen, online lobbies, and a single-player adventure round it out.
Where it falls short: Roster is smaller than the licensed competitors. AI is less consistent than Sonic or Nintendo equivalents.
Pricing: $29.99 on Steam, frequently on sale.
Platforms: Windows. Steam Deck Playable.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick if drift-boost chaining is the part of MKW you most want to replicate.
Disney Speedstorm — best free-to-play option
Disney Speedstorm is Gameloft’s free-to-play kart racer with Disney and Pixar drivers. Hero-based racing means each character has unique active and passive skills, which adds a Smash-Bros-flavor to lobby selection. Four-player split-screen ships in the box. Monthly seasons keep the roster fresh — Mickey, Mulan, Wreck-It Ralph, Donald, the Pixar lineup, plus rotating crossovers. It runs well on modest hardware and on Steam Deck.
Where it falls short: Aggressive monetization. Cosmetics, character upgrades, and time gates are visible the moment you finish the tutorial. Skill-based progression is real, but money accelerates it.
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Founder’s Pack at $29.99 unlocks early characters.
Platforms: Windows. Steam Deck Playable.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick if you want to try kart racing on PC before paying.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed — the classic that holds up
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is the 2012 Sumo Digital racer that still ranks in most “best kart racer ever” lists. Vehicles transform between car, boat, and plane mid-track, which makes every course feel like three races stitched together. Four-player split-screen, deep AI, and a campaign with hundreds of objectives are the reasons it’s still on people’s hard drives in 2026.
Where it falls short: No further content updates. Some online features have wound down — the game shines on local couch play.
Pricing: $19.99 on Steam. Routinely discounted to $5.
Platforms: Windows. Steam Deck Verified.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick for couch parties if you want the most fun-per-dollar on this list.
SuperTuxKart — best open-source free option
SuperTuxKart is the open-source kart racer that’s been quietly improving for years and shipped a long-awaited 1.5 with networked multiplayer overhauls. The roster of Linux mascots feels indie, but the racing is real: drift boosts, items, story mode, a soccer mode, and 8-player LAN parties on cheap hardware. Free, no microtransactions, no account required, and it runs on anything.
Where it falls short: Production values aren’t AAA. Smaller player base online than commercial competitors.
Pricing: Free, open source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Runs on Steam Deck and on most low-spec PCs.
Download: SuperTuxKart
Bottom line: The right pick for cheap LAN multiplayer, or for trying kart racing without spending a cent.
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway — best for families
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is the kid-leaning kart racer that captures the licensed-roster appeal MKW does for a younger audience. SpongeBob, Patrick, the TMNT, the Loud House cast, and a slime-mechanic that powers ramps and shortcuts. Local four-player split-screen, simple drift-boost rules, and a friendly difficulty curve for young drivers.
Where it falls short: Track design is the weakest on this list. AI is gentle. Older kart fans will find it shallow.
Pricing: $39.99 on Steam, often discounted.
Platforms: Windows. Steam Deck Playable.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The right pick if the household includes younger kids and you want a kart racer they can actually win at.
KartKraft — best serious karting simulator
KartKraft is the outlier on this list. It’s a karting sim, closer to Assetto Corsa than to Mario Kart. No items, no rubber-banding, no power-ups. Realistic kart physics, real-world tracks, online time-trial leaderboards. Players who watch real karting will recognize the chassis behavior, and Logitech and Fanatec wheel support is first-class.
Where it falls short: No couch multiplayer. No items. Wholly different game from MKW.
Pricing: $19.99 on Steam.
Platforms: Windows. Wheel strongly recommended.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: Only consider this if “Mario Kart but for sim-racers” was the actual ask.
How to choose
Pick Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds if the goal is to replace MKW with the closest live, well-supported product. It does the most to feel like MKW on PC.
Pick The Karters 2 if drift-boost chaining is the part of MKW you wanted to keep practising.
Pick Disney Speedstorm if you want to test kart racing on PC for free before paying anything.
Pick Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for couch multiplayer on a small budget — it’s still the best $5 you can spend in this genre.
Pick SuperTuxKart for LAN parties and Linux setups, or when the household won’t tolerate microtransactions.
Pick Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 if the kids in the household are younger than 8 and need a gentler difficulty curve.
Stay on a Switch 2 if Mario Kart World specifically (the tracks, the roster, the music) is the actual draw. None of the PC alternatives ship those things.
FAQ
Is Mario Kart World on PC?
No. Mario Kart World is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. There is no PC port and no PC emulation that runs it well as of June 2026.
What is the closest game to Mario Kart World on Steam?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the closest match — same item-based racing, same drift-boost loop, same emphasis on multiplayer chaos.
Are there free Mario Kart World alternatives?
Disney Speedstorm is free with optional purchases. SuperTuxKart is fully free and open source.
Which Mario Kart World alternative has local multiplayer on PC?
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, The Karters 2, Disney Speedstorm, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, SuperTuxKart, and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 all ship with four-player local play. KartKraft does not.
Can I emulate Mario Kart World on PC?
Switch 2 emulation in 2026 is in very early stages and not in a state that runs Mario Kart World playably. Buying a Switch 2 is the legitimate route.
Does Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds run on Steam Deck?
Yes — it’s Steam Deck Verified. The Karters 2 and Speedstorm are Playable.
