Get ready to race, drift, and honk your way to glory — Go Kart Island, the open-world kart racing adventure starring a determined highland cow, is officially revving up for release! Developed by Grumpy Pizza Games and published on Switch by Ant Workshop Ltd, this charming indie racer launches on Steam on November 10, 2025, followed by its Nintendo Switch debut on January 9, 2026.
A brand-new release date trailer is now live, giving fans a glimpse at the colorful chaos, collectible hunting, and cartoony characters that await on the island.
Open-World Karting Meets Wholesome Storytelling
Unlike most kart racers confined to simple tracks, Go Kart Island invites players to explore an open-world island bursting with activities, collectibles, and quirky animal characters. At the heart of the story is Lachlan, a lovable highland cow chasing his dream of becoming the Go Kart Champion. But before he can enter the legendary BIG RACE, he must raise 1,000 coins — a task made tougher by the island’s corrupt mayor.
Players will drift, boost, and crash through a variety of events including races, time trials, chases, deliveries, and more — all while uncovering secrets and chatting with over 32 different animal residents, from turtles to giraffes (and yes, plenty of sheep).
Features That Make Go Kart Island a Must-Play
● A Fully-Fledged Story Mode: Experience 34 events across the island as you chase the championship dream.
● Collect and Explore: Find 150+ collectibles scattered throughout the open world, from hidden coins to cheeky surprises.
● Animal Antics: Interact with a cast of 32 colorful characters, each with their own personalities and challenges.
● Master the Challenges: Take on 84 special challenges that remix story mode events and add hours of replayability.
● Item-Based Racing Fun: Blast, bonk, or boost your way past rivals using a wide range of hilarious power-ups.
● Fully Honkable Kart Horn: Yes, you can HONK — loudly and proudly.
Best of all, players can test-drive the fun before release with a free demo available now on Steam, featuring the first nine story events.
From Hobby Project to Dream Come True
Go Kart Island is the debut title of solo developer Ewan McKenzie, the one-person powerhouse behind Grumpy Pizza Games. What started as a hobby project in 2019 turned into a full-time pursuit after McKenzie was laid off in late 2024 — and now, it’s become a childhood dream fulfilled.
“As a kid, I used to design Mario Kart tracks with pencil and paper,” McKenzie shared. “So releasing my own kart racer on a Nintendo console feels surreal. I wanted to create something fun, colorful, and a bit different — an open-world kart racer starring a cow felt like the perfect idea!”
Though the game draws inspiration from karting classics, McKenzie emphasizes its unique twist: exploration and freedom. Players can spend hours simply racing around, chatting with islanders, or customizing their ride — all wrapped in a joyful, hand-crafted world full of personality.
Release Schedule and Availability
- Steam (PC): Launches November 10, 2025 — self-published by Grumpy Pizza Games.
- Nintendo Switch: Arrives January 9, 2026 — published by Ant Workshop Ltd.
- Demo: Available now on Steam
- Steam Review Embargo: Ends November 10, 2025, at 14:00 UTC.
A New Indie Racer with Heart
Between its quirky characters, open-world freedom, and wholesome humor, Go Kart Island looks set to charm racing fans and casual gamers alike. Whether you’re collecting coins, toppling time trials, or just honking your way through the chaos, this indie gem is ready to leave its mark on the racing genre.
Go Kart Island launches on Steam this November 10, 2025, and on Nintendo Switch January 9, 2026 — start your engines and get ready for a wild ride across the island.
