Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2010s, you probably remember the absolute flood of licensed kart racers. Every cartoon, movie, and cereal mascot seemingly had a driver's license and a grudge. But Ben 10 Galactic Racing was a bit different. It wasn't just a reskin of a generic racing engine; it was a bizarre, high-speed collision between the Ultimate Alien era of Ben 10 and the chaotic mechanics of Mario Kart.
Released back in October 2011, it landed on basically everything—Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, DS, and later the PS Vita. Developed by Monkey Bar Games (who, fun fact, also handled the Madagascar Karts game), it tried to do something most licensed games fail at: actually caring about the lore.
Why Ben 10 Galactic Racing Hits Different
Most people dismiss this as a "poor man's Mario Kart." That’s a bit unfair. While the DNA is definitely there—you’ve got your power-ups, your drifting, and your "blue shell" equivalents—the game leans heavily into what makes Ben 10 cool.
The biggest hook? Transformations. Ben doesn't just sit in a kart and throw shells. As you race, you pick up Omni-Nodes. If you're playing as Ben, these nodes let you transform into aliens like Big Chill, Heatblast, or Cannonbolt mid-race. Each form has a specific utility. It’s not just a visual skin change; it changes how you interact with the track. For example, Big Chill can freeze opponents, while Cannonbolt basically turns you into a wrecking ball.
The Roster and "That" New Alien
The game featured 15 playable characters, though the lineup depended slightly on which version you were playing. You had the staples like Kevin Levin and Vilgax, but the real talking point at the time was Fasttrack. This was the first time Fasttrack was actually playable in a video game. For the hardcore fans who were obsessed with the Ultimate Alien roster, this was a massive deal.
🔗 Read more: Why the Pokemon Gen 1 Weakness Chart Is Still So Confusing
If you were playing on the Nintendo DS, you got Diamondhead as an exclusive. It’s those little platform-specific quirks that make collecting these old titles a nightmare (or a dream) for completionists today.
The Drift Problem (and Why It’s Harder Than You Think)
Let's be real for a second: the controls in Ben 10 Galactic Racing are... slippery.
If you come from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the physics here will feel like you’re driving on a sheet of ice covered in dish soap. The drifting is extremely loose. You’ll find yourself oversteering into a wall on tracks like Blizzard Ridge more often than not.
But there’s a weirdly high skill ceiling. The AI in this game is relentless. They don't just "rubber band" to stay near you; they actively try to ruin your life with well-timed ultimate moves. It’s frustrating, sure, but it also means winning a Grand Prix actually feels like an achievement.
💡 You might also like: Why the Connections Hint December 1 Puzzle is Driving Everyone Crazy
The Tracks: A Tour of the Galaxy
One thing Monkey Bar Games nailed was the environment design. You aren't just racing on generic dirt tracks. You're hitting locations like:
- Vulpin: A toxic, jungle-filled nightmare.
- Pisccis: An underwater world that looks surprisingly good on the 7th-gen consoles.
- Kylmyys: The home of the Necrofriggians (Big Chill’s race), which is basically one giant ice hazard.
There are 25 tracks in total, which is a beefy amount for a licensed game of that era. Some layouts are recycled—especially on the DS version—but the console versions felt distinct. The music, while repetitive, fits that techno-hero vibe the show was known for.
Is It Still Worth Playing in 2026?
You won't find this on the PlayStation Store or the Xbox Marketplace anymore. Licensing deals for these types of games usually expire faster than a carton of milk. If you want to play it now, you’re looking at the second-hand market or "alternative" methods.
So, should you hunt it down?
📖 Related: Why the Burger King Pokémon Poké Ball Recall Changed Everything
If you’re a Ben 10 fan, absolutely. It’s a time capsule of the Ultimate Alien era. It’s got the voice acting, the alien powers, and that specific aesthetic that defined Cartoon Network in 2011. If you’re just looking for a solid kart racer, it might be a bit too "janky" for a casual afternoon.
How to get the most out of it today:
- Play the Console Version: The Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions are vastly superior to the handheld ports in terms of physics and visuals.
- Master the Tricks: You get "Sub-Energy" for doing stunts in the air. Don't ignore this. It’s the only way to keep your boost bar filled.
- Learn the Ultimate Moves: Characters like Vilgax have moves that can clear the whole track. Save them for the final lap.
- Check eBay/Local Retro Shops: Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $40 depending on the platform and condition.
Ben 10 Galactic Racing isn't a masterpiece, but it has heart. It tried to be more than a cash grab by integrating the core mechanics of the show—transformation and alien diversity—into a genre that usually ignores the source material. It's a bumpy ride, but for the right person, it’s a nostalgic trip worth taking.
Check your local retro game stores or online marketplaces like eBay or Mercari for a physical copy of the Wii or Xbox 360 version, as these offer the most stable frame rates and the best visual representation of the alien worlds.