What Nightmare Kart is
Nightmare Kart is a horror-themed vehicular combat racer set on blood-soaked gothic streets. You play a beast hunter who has been conscripted into a local tournament where everyone races on mysterious vehicles built from copper and steam. There are 12 unique vehicles to pick from, and each race puts you against opponents you can tear apart with weapons. Killing beasts on the track raises your top speed, while tricks and drifts generate Æther, which you spend on boosts. Between races you face challenging boss encounters that hold the answers behind the nightmare, and the game has multiple endings depending on how far you push through it. The whole thing runs on a retro, pixel-art look with a soundtrack that fits the gothic mood.
Playing it with friends
The game is built around local multiplayer, so everyone sits in on the same session and races against each other. You can also use Remote Play Together to bring friends in from their own machines while you play locally. Local multiplayer needs a controller for each player, so make sure everyone has one plugged in before you start. The combat side is what makes group races lively: you are not just driving a line, you are shooting at the kart next to you and trying to turn it into scrap before the finish. Expect a PvE element too, since the beasts on the track and the boss encounters are there whether you are racing alone or with company.
Before you start
Set aside time for the tournament structure rather than expecting a single quick race, since bosses and multiple endings gate the story behind your progress. The game carries a violent tag and horror imagery, so it is worth knowing that going in. It is a free game, and the developer accepts donations if you want to support them. Have controllers ready for local play, and be ready to learn how each of the 12 vehicles handles, since weapons, speed from beasts, and Æther from tricks all feed into how you drive.