Best Racers in DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing

DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing has successfully managed to hit the asphalt running, which means, those with a heart for all things Shrek-based can finally plunge into Duloc and thrash it out for the podium with other franchise favorites. The question is, which racers from said franchise favorites are worth unlocking, and who among them will nudge you closer to obtaining that all-star status?

If you are just starting out in DreamWorks' newest karting entrée, and aren't entirely sure which racer to strap behind the wheel, then be sure to read on for a few quick pointers. Here are the five best characters in DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing.

5. Lord Farquaad

Because mindlessly skinning Mother Bear and having her serve as a rug wasn't enough, eh? As it turns out, Lord Farquaad also has the power to belittle just about any other foe on the track with perhaps one of the quickest karts in the entire game. Does this make the pompous King of Duloc the best character in all of DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing? Not exactly, no. In fact, Lord Farquaad does come with a rather disappointingly low Charisma level, which means, while speedy out on the track, buffs are next to non-existent for the gaslighting tyrant.

When all's said and done, you could certainly do a lot worse than Lord Farquaad, especially when it comes to finding a speedy substitute for all those open circuits with flat and narrow tracks. In spite of Farquad's top speed being ludicrously high, however, his overall Handling and Charisma levels do fall surprisingly short compared to other racers' stats. So, if you don't mind sacrificing a few buffs for a genuinely nippy Turbo power of 2.6, then look no further than Duloc's patriarchy.

• Max Speed: 2.3
• Turbo: 2.6
• Handling: 1.8
• Charisma: 0.9
• Weight: 1.0

4. Diane Foxington

If it's a whole lot of Charisma you're looking to secure, then you ought to focus your attention on fleshing out Diane Foxington, a well-rounded racer who, like Hiccup and Po, excels in situations that involve harvesting large amounts of buffs out on the course. In addition to the Charisma being the highest in the game (that's 2.6, for the record), Diane also comes loaded with a Max Speed of 2.0, and a Turbo Speed of 1.8. The only downside to this particular character, really, is that their Handling is a little worse for wear, with just 1.4 on the slider.

Needless to say, there are several well-balanced characters on the roster, and Diane Foxington is definitely one of the top performers in the class. Is Diane the best overall racer in the game? Not quite. Having said that, the sprightly fox does stack a lot higher than the likes of Donkey and Boss Baby.

• Max Speed: 2.0
• Turbo: 1.8
• Handling: 1.4
• Charisma: 2.4
• Weight: 1.4

3. Shrek

One of the few poster children of DreamWorks' ever-expanding catalog is none other than Shrek, the slightly pessimistic ogre who, although loveable by trade, has the power to instill fear into his rivals out on the track. Suffice to say, Shrek has all the right attributes to make him one of the best jack-of-all-trades characters on the docket, which means, if you are after a racer with a hand in every pocket, then you'll likely find Shrek the most approachable.

There is a downside to Shrek, however, and that's the weight of his kart. As it turns out, the 2.0 Turbo and 2.0 Charisma are often overshadowed by the staggeringly high weight of 2.7. So, while Shrek can indeed pick up the pace on the rarest of occasions, the sheer weight of the actual vehicle does mean the actual handling can be a little, shall we say, sluggish. Even still, Shrek is still worth spending some time with, especially if your mind isn't quite made up on which attribute to pursue.

• Max Speed: 2.1
• Turbo: 2.0
• Handling: 1.6
• Charisma: 2.0
• Weight: 2.7

2. King Gristle

King Gristle is the second-best racer on the roster, falling only slightly short of stealing the top spot from Po, as it goes. Built with a Max Speed of 2.2, a Handling of 2.0, and a Charisma of 1.8, the tiny lord comes with some of the best stats and perks in the entire game—a sight that often gets overlooked due to the sheer size of the character, and, let’s face it, the fact that he’s basically overshadowed by a myriad of doubly popular all-stars.

Having a Max Speed that’s second to only one, it’s fairly easy to see why King Gristle is a common favorite for those wanting to gain an edge over their opponents. It’s a perfect starter character, for sure, and if you’re more than willing to spend some time with them, a racer that’ll also help you claim a slew of consecutive victories over a number of tournaments.

• Max Speed: 2.2
• Turbo: 1.6
• Handling: 2.0
• Charisma: 1.8
• Weight: 2.0

1. Po

It comes as no major surprise to see that Po, the famed Dragon Warrior, has some of the best stats in all of DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing. Aside from having a Turbo of 2.0, the beloved panda also has a Charisma slider locked at 2.2, which is one of the highest on the entire roster. Add the fact that Po also comes with a Handling of 1.2, and you can clearly see why so many opt to flock to the Kung Fu fanatic to launch their careers.

As far as well-balanced racers go, Po is arguably one of the best go-to characters, period. Sure, his weight of 2.0 is slightly bothersome, to say the least, but where he lacks in one area, he most definitely makes up for in every other department — and then some. So, if you have to pick just the one character to bring with you, then consider onboarding Po the next time you're combing the roster for future prospects.

• Max Speed: 2.1
• Turbo: 2.0
• Handling: 1.2
• Charisma: 2.2
• Weight: 2.0

So, what's your take? Have you found your perfect all-star racer in DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing yet? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.