Garfield Kart 2 Review: Fast, Fun and Frustrating — 12 Tracks, No Private Lobbies
Garfield Kart 2 is a kart racer from Eden Games and Microids that’s out now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The game uses familiar arcade racing mechanics — drifting, boosts and shortcuts — and ships with a set number of tracks, characters and multiplayer options. I played the PC version and focused on what the game includes and how it behaves in practice.
- Core facts: arcade kart racing with drifting, boosts and unlockable kart parts.
- Content: 12 tracks and eight playable characters (local four-player splitscreen available).
- Limits: no private online lobbies, no button remapping and no dedicated volume controls for music.
- Technical notes: review performed on Windows PC; some reported physics and AI issues during races.
What Garfield Kart 2 is
Garfield Kart 2 is an arcade-style kart racer built around licensed Garfield characters. It was developed by Eden Games and released by Microids for current and last-gen platforms. The game offers standard kart mechanics along with unlockable parts and cosmetic items.
Gameplay and mechanics
The core mechanics are straightforward. Drivers can accelerate, drift for boost, use slipstreaming behind opponents and perform short airborne tricks for minor benefits. Karts are customizable with unlockable parts that change basic stats such as acceleration and top speed.
Additionally, players can collect and equip cosmetic items like hats. Races include power-ups and hazards that affect player position and speed during runs.
Modes and content
Garfield Kart 2 includes Grand Prix cups, Time Trials and Free Race modes. The game ships with 12 tracks and a roster of eight playable characters, including Garfield, Odie, Liz and Nermal. Local splitscreen supports up to four players.
Online play is available, but matches are limited: there are no private or player-made lobbies to set up friend-only sessions, and online races can put you into single-course matches with other players.
Tracks and level design
The tracks are themed and include multiple shortcuts and secret paths. Examples in the game show influences from classic kart-racing level designs: a Western-styled town and a pirate-style course with ramps and tight turns. Overall, tracks focus on clear shortcuts and multiple routes rather than open, exploration-style layouts.
Technical behavior observed
The review on Windows PC found some noticeable technical and AI behaviors. In several races, AI vehicles became stuck after collisions and remained immobilized for the rest of the race. Also, when the player was hit by certain weapons, the kart could briefly stop for a few seconds before regaining momentum.
These issues affected race flow at times and made outcomes feel inconsistent. Handling is tuned toward arcade looseness: drifting and acceleration work as expected, but feedback and momentum can feel uneven depending on the situation.
User interface, settings and limits
Certain quality-of-life options are not present. The game does not offer a way to remap controller buttons, and there is no separate setting to adjust the volume of in-game music independently from other sounds. Menus are straightforward and focus on selecting modes and races rather than extensive configuration.
Platforms and availability
Garfield Kart 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X. The version discussed here was tested on Windows PC.
Review logistics
The information above reflects direct play on the Windows PC build. Details about features, track count and multiplayer options are based on in-game menus and testing across the listed modes.
In short, Garfield Kart 2 is a compact, licensed kart racer with a fixed set of tracks and characters, straightforward arcade mechanics, local four-player support and limited online options. If you want a simple kart game with Garfield characters and basic customization, it delivers the essentials; if you need deep online features or extensive settings, you may find those missing.
