Little Big Planet Karting: PS3 Review

Little Big Planet Karting: PS3 Review

Platform: PS3
Released by Sony Computer Entertainment.

Sacky's back - and this time, he's brought a car.

Phenomenally popular on both PS3 and PS Vita, Sackboy's a perennial favourite. So, it was with some trepidation that I approached this Karting game to be honest, because the PS3 already has an awesome Karting game in ModNation Racers.

However, I needn't have worried at all.

In this latest outing for Sackboy, a nasty bunch called The Hoard are invading the Imagisphere via Craftworld and stealing all the stuff for their own nefarious reasons (the clue is in their name). So, it's upto you as Sackboy to get in your cart, power up and beat them in various races, while collecting prize bubbles for your own benefit.

And that's it really - there are versus levels, as well as levels which are battle levels and of course, the racing levels too.

Yet, it's all rather fun and beautiful to behold as Sackboy hits the track. As you would expect with any LittleBigPlanet release, all the elements are there - from Stephen Fry's mellifluous voiceover to gibberish spouting beings of the Imagisphere. There's also the prize bubbles to collect, which give you the usual points as well as various items to help you create and decorate your own kart and world. There's the access through the Pop-It menu to customise ole Sacky and his world, which proves to be good fun if you fancy hurtling around a track wearing a little something different than your usual wool look.

Graphically, it's all very similar to any Karting game but with the traditional LittleBigPlanet aesthetics thrown in as well, giving you the feel of Sackboy's world expanded more than ever before. In terms of gameplay, it's quite addictive - you have to collect weapons to take out the Hoard or you can use them to defend yourself against their attacks.

It's a shame you can't build up weapons strength, a la ModNation Racers, but it's a minor oversight. You can also drift around the tracks as well, helping to build up your own boost, which has to be used the minute you stop drifting. That takes a wee while to adjust to in terms of planning your track strategy.

That said, this will resonate with anyone who really just wants to have fun on a karting game - with co-op modes, 2 player split screens and the chance to go online to muck about with the LBP community, it's certainly one hell of a lot of fun. I'd struggle to deny that each new level left me grinning like a small child as I raced around each track - and it'd be churlish to suggest that this disposably simple game isn't about anything other than delivering insanely simple fun.

Bright, colourful and completely fun, LittleBigPlanet Karting is destined to be one of the favourites come Christmas - with kids of all ages.

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