‘Skylanders SuperChargers’ Adds Kart Racing, Online Play For Adventure, And Racing Modes

When I was given the opportunity to preview Skylanders SuperChargers in June, the immediate thought that crossed my mind was a Mario Kart­-like kart racing mode as soon as the first vehicle was revealed. Activision confirmed that kart racing is coming to the PlayStation, Xbox, and Wii adventure game. Perhaps more surprising though is this will be the first Skylanders game to fully support online multiplayer in Adventure Mode and Racing Mode.

Skylanders SuperChargers will launch on September 20 in North America with the all-new Racing Mode that gives players the opportunity to race others across Land, Sea, and Air maps. Starter Packs include two maps for each environment type for a total of six. More maps can be added to the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC versions of the game by purchasing Action Packs.

Each Action Pack comes with a character and their signature vehicle, two tracks, four bosses, and a villain trophy. The maps in these packs can be unlocked for use in multiplayer with the villain trophy.

The Skylanders SuperChargers Racing Mode sports four player races complete with each vehicle’s unique stats and abilities factoring in to speed and handling. Players that match characters with the signature vehicle will get an added boost to their weapons.

While described by Polygon as a “streamlined version of Mario Kart,” it has its own unique features. For example, each vehicle comes with two different attacks that is distinct to individual vehicles. The attacks are powered by the blue power cells strewn across the map.

Meanwhile, power-ups can still be picked up around the map, but are triggered automatically. These power-ups include abilities such as a protective shield and the ability to slow-down enemies. Characters and vehicles won’t earn experience in Racing Mode, but players can earn gold and gearbits to buy vehicles upgrades.

Owners of the original Wii and Nintendo 3DS will need to pick up Skylanders SuperChargers Racing. This separate, dedicated game comes with “all-new tracks, augmented with power-ups, boosts, hazards and more, offer up to 50 different and exciting gameplay experiences.”

All of this leads to possibly the biggest addition to Skylanders, the introduction of online multiplayer. Adventure Mode players can play co-op with friends in split-screen locally or online. Meanwhile, Racing Mode supports two-player splitscreen and up to four players online. Support for voice-chat with friends is available in both modes.

“Skylanders fans told us they wanted to go head-to-head in online multiplayer with their friends and family, and we delivered. Skylanders SuperChargers enables gamers to race against friends all over the world and brings an exciting new expansion to the Skylanders gameplay experience,” said John Coyne, senior vice president of consumer marketing, Activision Publishing, Inc. “We continue to be firmly committed to driving Skylanders’ spirit for providing originality, innovation, creativity and fun with each game.”

[Images via Activision]