Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart 2002

Welcome to an early contender for the tenuous licence of the year. Yes, the Teutonic four-time Formula One World Champion used to race karts back in the day, but it’s not exactly what he’s most renowned for. It’s the equivalent of releasing Tiger Woods Pitch 'TPutt or David Beckham’s Back Garden Headers & Volleys. And besides, few people in this country are likely to be swayed by Schumacher’s gob on the box, the square-jawed one generally looked upon with the kind of disdain usually reserved for a freshly laid turd attached to your sneakers.

However, if you’re prepared to put reservations aside, there is a solid if unspectacular karting game lurking beneath the spurious German-oriented endorsement. Whereas the sporadic appearance of Schumacher’s beaming face does nothing to improve the experience, it can’t really be said to detract from it, offering little more than a footnote to the simplistic arcade thrills.

Ghost In The Machine

It’s not exactly Mario Kart, but while there are no banana skins or bunny hops, there is also no tampering with the hydraulics or tweaking the camshaft co efficient. What you see is what you get: three classes of kart, 16 apparently authentic tracks, and a variety of playing modes. The driving model is robust enough -if a little rigid - and it really is game development by numbers. Just add lens flare. Perversely, the one-player modes - including time trials and ghost car - can be more enjoyable than the championship mode, unencumbered as they are by witless opponents who don’t so much cut you up as simply career mindlessly into you, showing barely a flicker of artificial intelligence. On your own, it’s a different story. The key is to avoid getting out of shape and to steer clear of the fences, as one clip can put an end to your prospects thanks to the kart’s lack of acceleration.

The Lawnmower Man

Initially a pedestrian affair, it’s worth persevering with in order to open up the faster classes, which zip along at a fair old lick, despite sounding like ill-tended lawnmowers. Developed by Germans for Germans, Schumacher Kart offers no new ideas whatsoever, but in taking this safety first approach they have created a game with no major flaws.