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KartKraft VR Review

KartKraft is frustratingly brilliant. It offers the best go-kart physics and VR immersion on the market, period. However, the game is effectively "abandonware," with no future updates planned. Buy it for the hot-lapping, but do not expect a career mode.

February 2, 2026 admin No Comments

KartKraft VR Review (2026): Is It Still Worth Buying?

Quick Verdict: KartKraft is frustratingly brilliant. It offers the best go-kart physics and VR immersion on the market, period. However, the game is effectively “abandonware,” with no future updates planned. Buy it for the hot-lapping, but do not expect a career mode.

If you want to know what it feels like to break a rib on a curb at 70mph, KartKraft is the simulator for you. While Dash Dash World and Galaxy Kart focus on fun, KartKraft focuses on violence. Real karting is physical, loud, and vibrating, and this is the only VR title that captures that raw intensity.

However, recommending this game comes with a massive asterisk regarding its development status.

KartVR Rating: 7.5 / 10 (10/10 for Physics, 2/10 for Content)



⚠️ Important Buyer’s Warning

Before you buy, you must know: The development team behind KartKraft was let go by the publisher (Motorsport Games) back in 2023. While the servers are currently online and the game is playable, there will be no future updates. You are buying the game “as is.”

The Physics: Unmatched Realism

This is why you buy KartKraft. The physics engine is terrifyingly good. In most racing sims, suspension so absorb bumps. In a go-kart, you are the suspension.

In VR, you feel every imperfection in the asphalt. The chassis flex simulation is industry-leading; you can visually see the frame of the kart twisting as you corner. If you own a Direct Drive wheel (Fanatec/Moza), the Force Feedback is instantaneous and heavy. You don’t “drive” this kart; you wrestle it.

KartKraft VR gameplay showing realistic chassis flex and tire deformation.


The VR Experience: Visceral Speed

Because you are sitting inches off the ground, the sense of speed in VR is faster than Formula 1.

  • Immersion: Looking down and seeing the engine vibrating next to your elbow adds a layer of presence that car sims lack.

  • The “Look to Apex”: Since karts have no mirrors, VR is essential. You have to physically turn your head 90 degrees to spot your braking marker or check if a rival is diving down your inside.

Performance Note: This game runs on Unreal Engine 4 and is demanding. To get a smooth 90 FPS on a Quest 3 or Reverb G2, you will need a powerful GPU (RTX 3070 or better).

KartKraft cockpit view in VR showing the sense of speed.


Content: The “Tech Demo” Problem

This is where the heart breaks. The core driving is perfect, but there is very little game wrapped around it.

  • No Career Mode: You are essentially limited to Practice, Time Trial, and Single Races against AI.

  • Multiplayer: The multiplayer servers are often empty or buggy. This is a “Hot Lap” simulator, not a competitive racer.

  • Track List: The tracks that exist (like Geelong and Whilton Mill) are laser-scanned and beautiful, but the list is short.

KartKraft features laser-scanned tracks like Whilton Mill.

The Good (Pros)
  • Force Feedback: Incredible detail if you have a high-end wheel.

  • VR Intensity: The sense of speed is unmatched; it's genuinely scary.

  • Visuals: Stunning graphics with photorealistic lighting and textures.

  • The Physics: The best simulation of rubber-to-road contact in sim racing history.

The Not So Good (Cons)
  • PC Heavy: Requires a high-end PC to run smoothly in VR without stuttering.

  • AI Quality: The AI drivers are robotic and often just ram into you.

  • Abandoned Development: No updates, no new content, and a risk of servers closing one day.

Conclusion: Should You Buy It?

If you are a serious sim racer with a VR headset and a steering wheel, yes, you should buy it, but wait for a sale.

Despite being unfinished, the driving experience is so unique that it is worth the entry price just to experience those physics for 10-20 hours. It serves as the perfect “training tool” for real-life karters, even if it fails as a “video game.”


Where to Buy

For PC VR (Steam Only): 👉 Buy Steam Key via CDKeys We recommend buying via CDKeys as it is often cheaper than the official Steam price.

Recommended Gear: 🏎️ Moza R5 Direct Drive Bundle (Amazon) Direct Drive is highly recommended to feel the chassis flex in this game.

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