The MySims series has launched several entries across a variety of different systems, stepping beyond the casual people simulation elements of the original MySims title to encompass several types of gaming genres including adventure, party games, and now racing. MySims Racing is a light-hearted take on the racing genre, featuring kart style racing inspired by the likes of Mario Kart DS.

While the game does bring some cool customization features to the genre, like the ability to unlock new upgrades and aesthetic changes to your kart and your driver, the game’s mission set is pretty basic and not very deep. Additionally, while pretty colorful, the graphics are disappointing due to a somewhat spotty framerate, a problem that can be a killer for a racing title. Even with the customization features and mission-based gameplay, MySims Racing is a pretty shallow and barebones affair.

You begin your MySims Racing experience by customizing your character. You’ll be able to select through several different designs, choosing your avatar’s face and hair (or helmet) and the design on their racing outfit. You’ll then be able to customize their ride, choosing their model and color and then hopping into the story mode.

The game’s tracks are pretty solid, representing several different environments and each featuring some shortcuts to help you take the lead. The game’s racing is obviously very inspired by Mario Kart, as you’ll have access to special items that will boost your speed, shield your racer, or take out your opponents. Winning races will net you some money that can then be spent on upgrades for your kart and racer. Additionally, you can unlock new blueprints that will allow you to create items and car models in the garage, giving you some good performance boosts for the more difficult races. The on-track mechanics are fairly solid, but overall lacks the depth of Mario Kart DS.

In the game’s story mode, you’ll complete missions in order to gain special currency for upgrades for better racing prowess. However, the majority of the missions boil down to timed fetch quests where you’re required to grab a set amount of a specific item and then return them to the person who gave you the mission. These are fun to do at first and give the player something to do outside of standard races, but ultimately become far too repetitive.

The game also allows you to do a simple quick race outside of the story mode, where you’ll take on a group of other drivers in a certain track with your created character from the story mode. This mode is also playable via Nintendo WiFi connection.

Graphically, the game sports a pretty solid look, and the character models are light and colorful, in line with the other titles in the MySims franchise. The environments are also nicely varied and colorful. The framerates aren’t nearly as solid as Mario Kart, sticking to 30 frames per second and often dipping below that during races.

The sound effects are what you’d expect from a casual racing title. The music is very cheery, and whatever voice work there is is delivered in babbling “Sim-lish”.

While Mario Kart DS was a light kart racer, it still presented some tight driving mechanics and broad appeal. Unfortunately, even with the added customizations and mission-based gameplay, MySims Racing is still a pretty barebones and basic affair, and one that gamers will likely get bored of quickly.

Gameplay: 6.5
The game adds in some interesting elements to the traditional kart racing formula like side missions and customization, but these elements feel pretty shallow and don’t carry the game beyond its peers in the genre.

Graphics: 7.0
The character models are pretty simplistic and boast a light and colorful look, as do the tracks. The laggy framerates are problematic and can disrupt the flow of the racing.

Sound: 6.0
The voice acting is delivered in Sim-lish, and the music is light and cheery, basically what you’d expect from a casual racer.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 6.5
While the customization features and mission structure are a nice addition to the genre, they don’t really provide the substance you’d hope for.

Multiplayer: 6.0
The online features are basic, allowing you to take your custom avatar online in a quick race with other players.

Overall: 6.5
MySims Racing has some customization elements that keep it in line with the other MySims titles on the market, but the racing is pretty lackluster, and the lack of variety in the missions isn’t likely to hold your attention for very long.