Free alternatives
Free Alternatives to Mario Kart
Short answer
SuperTuxKart is the best free alternative to Mario Kart: a free, open-source kart racer with power-ups, four-player local split-screen, online multiplayer and a story mode, available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Mario Kart requires Nintendo hardware. The free option runs on any PC, supports split-screen for four players locally, and includes a full campaign plus online racing.
Our pick: SuperTuxKart
RacingArcade900 MBOpen Source (GPL-3.0)
SuperTuxKart is a free, open-source kart racer with power-ups, drifting, local split-screen multiplayer, online racing and a story mode. It is the closest free equivalent to Mario Kart that exists.
How it differs from Mario Kart: Open-source mascots rather than Nintendo characters, and handling is slightly floatier. Track design is strong but does not match Nintendo's polish.
All free Mario Kart alternatives compared
| Game | Genre | Size | Licence | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperTuxKart | Racing · Arcade | 900 MB | Open Source (GPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Hedgewars | Strategy · Arcade | 180 MB | Open Source (GPL-2.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
SuperTuxKart
SuperTuxKart is a free, open-source kart racer with power-ups, drifting, local split-screen multiplayer, online racing and a story mode. It is the closest free equivalent to Mario Kart that exists.
The difference: Open-source mascots rather than Nintendo characters, and handling is slightly floatier. Track design is strong but does not match Nintendo's polish.
SuperTuxKart is the kind of free game that's impossible not to recommend. It's instantly accessible, genuinely fun with friends, packed with tracks and modes, and backed by a surprisingly active community creating new content.
Hedgewars
For the same couch-competitive chaos in a turn-based form, Hedgewars is the other great local-multiplayer pick.
The difference: Turn-based artillery, not racing.
Hedgewars is just damn cute. It's immediately understandable, surprisingly deep, and just weird enough to stick in your head. It takes the artillery mayhem of Worms, replaces the soldiers with homicidal hedgehogs, and turns it into a polished free and open-source multiplayer game.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Mario Kart?
SuperTuxKart is the best free alternative to Mario Kart: a free, open-source kart racer with power-ups, four-player local split-screen, online multiplayer and a story mode, available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Are these Mario Kart alternatives really free?
Yes. Every game listed here is free to start, with no trial masquerading as a full game and no paid competitive advantage. Optional cosmetics and premium extras are allowed. Each game has been tested and played, then assessed against PlayBound's four published criteria — including whether it has That One Thing worth telling a friend about.
Do I need to pay for multiplayer in these Mario Kart alternatives?
No. None of these games charge for multiplayer. Public servers are community-run and free to join, and there is no subscription of any kind.
How is SuperTuxKart different from Mario Kart?
Open-source mascots rather than Nintendo characters, and handling is slightly floatier. Track design is strong but does not match Nintendo's polish.
How is Hedgewars different from Mario Kart?
Turn-based artillery, not racing.
Every game here has been assessed against the PlayBound Bar — four published criteria for whether a free game is actually worth your time. Every title is tested and played before it is added.