Kart Circuit is a free top down kart racing game that runs in your browser. There is nothing to download or sign up for, it works on phones and computers, and it keeps working offline once the page has loaded. Pick a track, line up on the grid and race three computer karts over three laps.
Inspired by: Top down kart and toy car racers such as Super Sprint (1986) and Micro Machines (1991).
How to play Kart Circuit
- Choose one of three tracks: Sunny Loop, Twisty Run or Hairpin Rally.
- Wait for the countdown. Your kart speeds up on its own, so you only need to steer.
- Hold the drift button while turning to slide round corners. Sparks change colour as your turbo charges.
- Let go of drift to get a speed boost. Blue is a small boost and orange is a super turbo.
- Stay on the road. The grass slows you down and the barriers bounce you back.
- Finish three laps before the other karts. A better position and a faster time give a higher score.
Controls
- Keyboard: Left and right arrows or A and D steer. Hold Space to drift, release for a boost. Down or X brakes.
- Touch screen: Use the left and right arrows to steer. Hold Drift while turning and let go for a boost. Brake slows you down.
Tips to score higher
- Start drifting just before a bend, not in the middle of it.
- Hold a drift until the sparks turn blue or orange to earn a real boost.
- Use the brake on very tight hairpins instead of hitting the barrier.
- Cut inside corners gently. A little grass costs speed.
- If you get stuck against a wall, wait a moment. The game puts you back on the road.
The story behind Kart Circuit
Top down racing games were a favourite of arcades and early home computers. Atari released Super Sprint in 1986, where small cars raced round a single screen track, and Micro Machines followed in 1991 with toy cars racing across kitchen tables and garden paths. Kart racers added power slides and boosts in the 1990s, and many of us remember fighting for the best seat in front of the TV at a cousin's house. Kart Circuit keeps the quick restarts and simple controls that made those games so easy to love.
Questions players ask
Is Kart Circuit free?
Yes. It is free to play with no sign up and no download.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. On touch screens you get left and right arrows plus Drift and Brake buttons below the game.
How does drifting work?
Hold the drift button while steering. After a moment your sparks turn blue, then orange. Release to get a speed boost.
How many tracks are there?
Three tracks: Sunny Loop, Twisty Run and Hairpin Rally.
Do the other karts get easier or harder?
They keep a steady pace and speed up a little when you pull far ahead, so the race stays close.