As far as kart racers go, it's difficult to beat the mustachioed plumber. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best racing games of all time (based on its 92 Metascore), offering a robust selection of courses, characters, and unlockable content. Regardless of if you're a racing veteran or stepping behind the wheel for the first time, you're all but guaranteed to have a blast with Nintendo's iconic game.

Half the reason for its continued success (Nintendo recently revealed the game has sold more than 45 million copies) is its approachable demeanor. With a quirky cast of characters and inviting, cartoon graphics, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is easy on the eyes. It's also surprisingly easy for newcomers to keep up with seasoned racers. Thanks to a laundry list of randomly selected power ups, no one is ever truly out of contention for first place. This brings an added element of suspense to every race, as you never know if the person in last will catapult to the top of the podium.

Anyone seeking a deep kart racing experience won't be disappointed either. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has several nuances to master, which have kept the community strong and coming back eight years after its release. From learning each course to taking the action online, there's always a new challenge for dedicated players. But despite all it's accolades and awards, sometimes you just need to hit the brakes and check out a new title. Whether you're looking for another fun party game or realistic racing sim, there are plenty of great games on the market that are a great fit for fans of the Mario Kart series.

Here are 10 games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to play next, ranked by Metascore. 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)

Metascore: 93
Best for: Fans of action-packed party games
Where to buy:

Few party games can stand toe-to-toe with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of them. If you can look passed the lack of cars, Nintendo's arcade brawler is actually a perfect fit for Mario Kart fans. Not only does it give you an even larger roster of characters to master and stages to learn, but it offers a similar, fast-paced playstyle that's enjoyable for all skill levels. The goal of the game is to knock all the other characters out of the floating area, with each successful blow increasing the odds of sending your target flying off the screen. Unlockable characters, a thriving online community, and Nintendo's usual sense of polish all add up to make this one of the best games on Switch.

"Smash Ultimate is not only the ultimate Smash game, the ultimate fighting game, the ultimate party game, and the ultimate collection of videogame nostalgia: it's the ultimate video game." — Power Unlimited

Forza Horizon 5 (XBX)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of open-world freedom
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Forza Horizon 5 gives you a garage filled with cars and lets you loose in a gorgeous landscape that sprawls across Mexico. You'll barrel down mountainsides, cruise along coastlines, and dodge cacti in the desert. Aimlessly riding through its open world is enough fun on its own, but a lengthy campaign and dozens of unlockable cars ensure there's always something meaningful to pursue. There are also a few multiplayer modes to test out, letting you and a few friends get into adrenaline pumping action that encompasses both competitive and cooperative gameplay.

"An unparalleled driving experience that also happens to be a graphical showcase like no other." — Player 2

Gran Turismo 7 (PS5)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of authentic racing sims
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Unlike Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Gran Turismo 7 is a bona fide racing simulator. Each of its 400-plus cars are meticulously crafted to look like their real-life counterparts. They also carry unique attributes, meaning each one feels different when you take it on the track. When you're not speeding through solo or competitive races, you can check out the history behind a variety of vehicles, automotive companies, and the technology backing some of the world's fastest supercars. Part simulator, part encyclopedia, Gran Turismo 7 is an homage to all things racing, and any car enthusiast will find much to love about its nuanced world.

"Polyphony Digital's latest outing puts itself into pole position with a game that brings the series back to its roots." — PC Games

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (PS4)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Kart racing enthusiasts
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Mario might hold the kart-racing crown, but Crash and his band of lovable misfits aren't far behind. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a surprisingly deep racing experience, with a family-friendly demeanor that belies its challenging gameplay. Learning to master its powerslide technique is key to victory, and it's a move that take several hours to master. Once perfected, you'll be catapulting around corners and slipping ahead of your opponents with ease. Deep kart racing mechanics are coupled with stunning courses, difficult boss fights, and enough multiplayer modes to keep you busy for quite some time.

"Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is another remarkable remake of a true timeless classic." — Daily Star

KartRider Rush+ (iOS)

Metascore: 82
Best for: Kart racers on the road
Where to buy: App Store
Also available on: N/A

Few mobile games can capture the charm of kart racers like KartRider Rush+. The fast-paced title is built specifically for short play sessions, making it the perfect game to play while on the train to work or waiting for your flight at the airport. You'll have a chance to check out several game modes, including a casual Arcade Mode or a limit-pushing Ranked Mode. Graphics are vibrant and eye-catching for a mobile title, and a slew of unlockable cosmetics reward you for completing a variety of different objectives. Best of all, you can install and play KartRider Rush+ without dropping a dime — although a premium Item Shop is available.

"A feature-complete kart racer with excellent multiplayer out of the box and clever avoidance of off-putting pay-to-win mechanics." — Pocket Tactics

Super Mario Party (Switch)

Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of board games
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Super Mario Party swaps out its roster of vehicles for 80 ridiculous mini games. You'll be running around a board game-inspired map as you compete with three other players to earn the most Stars. These are earned in a variety of ways, but victory boils down to mastering its quirky mini games and strategically planning out your moves. On your turn, you'll roll some dice, move around the game board, and deal with whatever obstacles are thrown your way. Not all 80 mini games are of the same caliber, but whether you're sprinting down a track, kicking a soccer ball around a field, or facing off against a mechanical crab, there's no shortage of fun in Super Mario Party.

"[Super Mario Party] perfectly utilizes the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch, providing a fresh and innovative iteration of what a party game should be." — GameOver.gr

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (Switch)

Metascore: 75
Best for: Fans of RC cars
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Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a bold new installment in the Mario Kart franchise. Instead of racing around a virtual track, you'll race a real-life RC car around your real-life home. The RC car is equipped with a camera that captures footage and relays it back to your Switch. From there, your home is turned into a bonafide Mario Kart course, complete with various obstacles, other racers, and the usual Mario décor. There are a few limitations to the technology (and the RC car doesn't play well with gigantic ramps and stunt jumps), but its 75 Metascore is nothing to scoff at.

"Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit does nearly everything it can to offer a commendably fun-filled AR racing experience." — Video Chums

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (PS4)

Metascore: 75
Best for: Fans of car chases
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As an updated version of the 2010 classic, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered knows not to mess with a good thing. You'll still be barreling down the pavement as either a cop or racer (with both sides given unique skills and abilities to outwit the other), but you'll be doing so with markedly improved graphics. Better car models, improved resolution and shadows, and more detailed environments make the game more immersive than ever. When you're not running through its single player campaign, you can take the action online for some tense multiplayer action.

"Ten years after its original release, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit remains one of the best games of the IP." — JeuxActu

Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of video game workouts
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Nintendo Switch Sports is the successor to Wii Sports — the ultra-popular party game that earned high marks from both critics and consumers. And despite having some big shoes to fill, Switch Sports doesn't disappoint. You won't find any kart racing here, but you'll be treated to soccer, bowling, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and chambara games that get you up off the couch and moving. The title is a lot of fun solo, but you'll have the most fun when breaking it out during a party and sharing the experience with a few friends.

"Nintendo Switch Sports does the impossible — it builds on Wii Sports in clever ways, creating a new version for a new generation while also breathing life into dormant rivalries over a decade on." — Dexerto

Team Sonic Racing (PS4)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of Sonic
Where to buy:

Sonic fans won't want to miss out on this fun spin-off game, which sees Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and plenty of other familiar faces jumping into supercars and blazing around a variety of courses. Many of the courses are modeled after different games in the series. That means dedicated fans won't just have a fun kart racer on their hands, they'll also want to be on the lookout for Easter eggs around every corner. Team-based gameplay adds a fun twist to the action, and a deep story mode drives the action forward without ever slamming on the brakes.

"Team Sonic Racing refines and advances the genre in creative ways that make it a must play for both kart racing and Sonic fans alike." — CGMagazine