Playtonic Games has announced Super Yooka-Laylee Kart, a retro arcade racer fuelled by a new revenge mechanic, as well as retro SNES vibes.
The game is fronted by Playtonic’s platforming duo Yooka and Laylee, plus a familiar cast of side-characters. Currently announced for PC with console versions to follow, Super Yooka-Laylee Kart will feature a solo story campaign, plus local and online multiplayer options for up to eight players.
Visually, Super Yooka-Laylee Kart is clearly inspired by Nintendo’s own Super Mario Kart for the SNES. Where things diverge, however, is in the game’s rage system — the source of special abilities that can be unleashed as race positions change, or if you’re attacked by other players.
Playtonic describes its game as “the most skilful, expressive and explosive racer built around mastery, rivalry, and revenge-fuelled comebacks.” Its story campaign features rival races, time trials, endurance events and challenges, while multiplayer options will allow players to create friend lobbies or tournaments, and set race rules using numerous modifiers.
Revealed during this evening’s Day of the Devs showcase, the game will be publicly playable soon on PC via a series of beta tests designed to test the game’s online multiplayer functionality — keep an eye out for further updates.
Founded back in 2014 by a team of former Rare veterans who worked on Banjo-Kazooie, Playtonic Games has since shipped its crowdfunded 3D platforming success Yooka-Laylee and spinoff Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. After a lengthy period which saw the studio enter indie game publishing, Playtonic launched the souped up remake Yooka-Replaylee last year.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
