All-Star Fruit Racing Review

When I first started my playthrough of All-Star Fruit Racing, I heard a tiny gasp from behind me. It was my 8-year-old, who then yelled, “It’s Venelope!” She was a little disappointed to learn it was not a game based on Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, but she was still enthralled with the bright colors and fruit aesthetic. I learned pretty quickly that, while I may not be the intended audience for All-Star Fruit Racing, I can easily see that a younger generation might really enjoy this kart racing experience.

All-Star Fruit Racing is definitely sweet. You are bombarded with plenty of bright, cheery colors the minute you start the game. The music is upbeat and lighthearted. Overall, the design of the game is all about the fruit, which is featured everywhere possible. All of the tracks, karts, power moves and racers are all fruit-themed, for better or for worse. Again, my daughter loved it, which is all that really matters.

But how does it play? All-Star Fruit Racing has checked off all the modes that you would expect to find in a kart game. You have your single and multiplayer tournaments, create-your-own tournament and time trials. Each track has its ups and downs (literally and figuratively). The development team tried to get some variation in the tracks by adding plenty of forks and paths in the road. With some repetition, you will learn very quickly which path is shorter. The tracks are pretty fun to race as well.

The big gameplay mechanic that All-Star Fruit Racing introduces that is different from its counterparts is referred to as The Juicer. Basically, the Juicer is your special ability wheel. When racing the various cups, the game will randomize how you fill the Juicer. Sometimes, you will run over bubbles with question marks, meaning your ability will be randomized. In other instances, you will need to collect specific fruit to unleash a special ability. Mid-level abilities include creating a block of slick ice on the track or getting a boost of speed. The highest ability is special to the specific racer you select. All of the character special abilities have their pros and cons, so it encourages you to try different racers.

Another aspect that encourages you to keep playing is the customization options. The more you race, the more racers and customization options you will have at your disposal. Kart customization includes body shape, wheel design, and overall color. You can get pretty crazy with the customization. And yes, you can get some fruit attached to the cart antennae, in case you need more reminders of the fruit theme. I wish there was a bit more variety in the sounds the drivers make. When you get a chorus of the same type of laugh during a match, you know you may need to add a few more options.

Going back to the Juicer, the biggest issue I have with it is the ability to turn off different valves. For example, you can choose to disconnect one of the valves that collects a specific fruit. Now, in theory, this can cause you to unlock a specific special ability. But in reality, it seems unnecessary, especially when racing a track that has an ability randomizer turned on. I’m not 100 percent sure if younger gamers will pick up on the need to use this feature, so I found it interesting that it is included.

In the long run, the Juicer is the least of your worries. It is most likely the racing itself that may give some gamers a headache. Races ran pretty well on the Nintendo Switch. There is a drift mechanic that is supposed to give you a speed boost; however, I found the boost comes a bit later than expected, which may cause you to boost into a wall and ultimately slow you down. It should be an immediate boost, so it’s a shame that the delay can alter the race. I do, however, like that the drift is sensitive to how long you hold it. Hold it too long and your engine will blow out and stop you for a few seconds. It keeps things fair. I noticed a few frame-rate issues while racing on the Switch as well. Nothing that completely messed up the race, but it was noticeable throughout my playthrough.

Overall, All-Star Fruit Racing is a cute kart racer for younger gamers. It’s aesthetically pleasing and has some fun racing moments. The game mechanics could use some work, but I don’t think it will stop the younger crowd from enjoying it. Serious fans of the kart racing genre may want to look elsewhere.

Editor’s Note: Rectify Gaming Editor Scott Anderson received a code from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing the game. Any code or product intended for reviews is distributed to the team to review and stream for our audience.