Lego 2K Drive is the spiritual successor to one of the best kart racers ever made
Burning rubber… and bricks
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Lego 2K Drive will soon be upon us as the brick-based kart racer is slated to release in less than a week’s time, May 16. It’s been eagerly anticipated, but its best-looking feature was only properly shown off recently.
That’s because Lego 2K Drive features transforming vehicles, as karts can transform from a standard high-speed street racing car, to an off-road vehicle, to a boat, and even a plane. It adds a new dimension to well-treaded trail blazed by the likes of one of thebest Nintendo Switch games,MarioKart 8 Deluxe, however, it isn’t the first time we’ve seen this innovation.
Revealed in a recent video on theLego 2K Hub on YouTube, we now know exactly how vehicles will transform to suit different terrains after it was first teased in theoriginal reveal trailer, and things bare a striking resemblance toSonic and All-Stars Racing Transformedwhich did this concept over a decade prior to great success.
Sumo Digital’s star-studded sequel gained critical acclaim upon release for the Xbox 360, and PS3 back in 2012 (then later on PC and Nintendo Wii U), withSonic and All-Stars Racing Transformedcurrently sitting at82% on Metacriticregardless of version. Some of the highest praise came from sister-siteGamesRadar, which said: “Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed could have been another mediocre attempt at a kart racer, but its solid controls, plethora of modes and unlockables, and iconic characters allow it to shine on its own podium.”.
Building a better racer
Transforming vehicles absolutely makes sense for Lego 2K Drive as the modes of transport themselves are made out of bricks and can be easily dismantled on the go. That’s been the greatest appeal to having a Lego game focus on racing ever since the days of the originalLego Racerback in 1999. Taking an open world approach, similar in approach to something likeForza Horizon 5andBurnout Paradisebefore it, with an added focus on destruction and chaos.
I haven’t been this excited for a kart racer sinceMario Kart 8since hit the scene almost a decade ago on the Wii U. In a niche genre that’s been dominated in recent years by the two biggest names in mascot platforming, not to mention the likes ofCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, having Lego step up to pole position after decades away from the race makes for some interesting competition.
Next week’s launch will show if Lego 2K Drive is really all its bricked up to be. I’m optimistic based on everything I’ve seen and read so far. If nothing else, it should be a good time for racing games fans regardless of playing on thePS5,Xbox Series X,Nintendo Switch, and PC provided the performance holds up across the board.
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Aleksha McLoughlin is an experienced hardware writer. She was previously the Hardware Editor for TechRadar Gaming until September 2023. During this time, she looked after buying guides and wrote hardware reviews, news, and features. She has also contributed hardware content to the likes of PC Gamer, Trusted Reviews, Dexerto, Expert Reviews, and Android Central. When she isn’t working, you’ll often find her in mosh pits at metal gigs and festivals or listening to whatever new black and death metal has debuted that week.
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