Free kart games on Android include arcade kart racers with powerups, such as Beach Buggy Racing and KartRider Rush+, online kart battles, a go-kart racer closer to the real sport, and the open-source SuperTuxKart. Most are rated Everyone. SuperTuxKart is the only one with no ads or in-app purchases labels.
Kart racing is the friendliest kind of racing game. The karts are small, the tracks are silly, and a well-timed powerup can send the leader spinning, so nobody is ever too far behind.
I read the Google Play listing for each game and noted the developer, installs, content rating, ads and in-app purchases labels and any offline wording. The order is random.
Two games that came up didn't make the list, and the reasons are below. The eight that did are a mix of pure kart racers and a couple of close cousins.
Kart racers compared
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Buggy Racing 2 | Vector Unit | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Beach Buggy Racing | Vector Unit | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| KartRider Rush+ | NEXON Company | 10M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Boom Karts Multiplayer Racing | Zaibatsu Interactive | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| SuperTuxKart | deveee | 1M+ | No ads label, no in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Real Go Kart Karting - Racing | Candy Gaming | 1M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Drive Ahead! - Fun Car Battles | Dodreams Ltd. | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Driving cars in online or offline coop games' |
| Asphalt 8 - Car Racing Game | Gameloft SE | 500M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
The eight kart games
Beach Buggy Racing 2
Vector Unit's sequel, with more than 100M installs. You race drivers from around the world through pyramids, castles, shipwrecks and alien labs, and collect and upgrade cars.
Beach Buggy Racing
The original Beach Buggy Racing is off-road kart racing with rival drivers who each have their own personality and special abilities, plus a collection of silly powerups.
KartRider Rush+
Nexon's kart racer, which you can play with friends or solo across several modes. It shows no Contains ads label, though it has in-app purchases.
Boom Karts Multiplayer Racing
Real-time online kart racing where you drift, boost and fire powerups at other players. It's rated Everyone and comes from Zaibatsu Interactive.
SuperTuxKart
An open-source 3D arcade racer with lots of characters, tracks and modes. Its listing says it aims to be more fun than realistic, and it shows no ads or in-app purchases labels.
Real Go Kart Karting - Racing
A go-kart game closer to the real sport, where you drive, upgrade and customise your kart on a karting tour. It has more than 1M installs.
Drive Ahead! - Fun Car Battles
Not a race at all but a car battle game where you try to hit your friend's driver on the head. Its listing says it supports offline two-player games, which is great for siblings.
Asphalt 8 - Car Racing Game
Gameloft's big car racer, with more than 500M installs. It's licensed cars and motorbikes rather than karts, but it suits players who want speed and stunts. It's rated Everyone 10+.
Powerups, drifting or the real karting feel?
The Beach Buggy games, KartRider Rush+, Boom Karts and SuperTuxKart are arcade kart racers: drift round corners, pick up items and use them on rivals. Real Go Kart Karting is calmer and closer to driving a real kart. Drive Ahead! is a battle game, and Asphalt 8 is a full car racer for players who've outgrown karts.
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Why two popular games aren't here
Hill Climb Racing 2 came up in the search, but it's a hill climbing game rather than a kart racer, and its own listing says its in-app purchases include random items, so I left it out. SmashKarts.io's listing features a Prize Machine minigame for collecting items, which works like a lucky dip, so that one's out as well.
Winning more kart races
- Learn each track's shortcuts in a solo race first.
- Drift through long corners to build up a speed boost.
- Hold a defensive item when you're in the lead.
- Save attack items for the straight just before the finish.
- Don't chase every item box if it takes you off the racing line.
Kart racing is part reflexes and part planning, a bit like slide puzzle games that train memory and patience, because you remember the track and pick your moment.
Racing someone on the sofa
Drive Ahead! is the standout for two people on one device, since its listing says it supports offline two-player games. The other kart racers lean on online play, so check them on a weak connection before relying on them. For more shared-screen ideas, here are Xbox offline co-op games for couch play.
Karts for younger drivers
Six of the eight are rated Everyone, with Drive Ahead! and Asphalt 8 rated Everyone 10+. Most show ads and in-app purchases, so turn on approval for in-app purchases in Google Play before handing over a phone. SuperTuxKart is the cleanest pick, with no ads or in-app purchases labels. For more racing without Wi-Fi, try these free offline car parking games for tablets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free kart games on Android?
Beach Buggy Racing 2, Beach Buggy Racing, KartRider Rush+, Boom Karts and SuperTuxKart are the pure kart racers here.
Is there a kart game without ads?
SuperTuxKart shows no ads or in-app purchases labels, and KartRider Rush+ shows no Contains ads label.
Can two people play a kart game on one phone?
Drive Ahead! says it supports offline two-player games, though it's a car battle game rather than a race.
Is SuperTuxKart free?
Yes. It's an open-source arcade racer that's free to install from Google Play.
Why isn't Hill Climb Racing 2 on the list?
It isn't a kart racer, and its listing says its in-app purchases include random items.
Are kart games suitable for kids?
Six of the eight are rated Everyone on Google Play.
Is there a realistic go-kart game?
Real Go Kart Karting is closer to the real sport than the arcade racers.
