While racing games are in the midst of a golden age, kart racing games have not exactly shared in the prosperity. Sadly, they often come across as franchise extenders more than actual games, and quality can vary widely. At the top end you have Mario Kart, which invented the genre, while at the bottom you have a host of games notable more for the license tacked onto it, rather than the gameplay or production quality. Even Mortal Kombat has a kart racer, for example.

But here comes ModNation Racers, Sony’s blend of kart racing and LittleBigPlanet style design and construction tools, with upcoming versions for both the PS3 and the PSP. I’ve had a chance to check out the PSP demo, and frankly, I’m encouraged. Must-own games on the PSP are few and far between, but ModNation Racers looks like it could provide a near-perfect PSP experience.

The PSP demo features two tracks to race on, plus a shortened version of the track design editor that lets you create a simple oval in the alpine graphic set. It’s an amuse-bouche if you will, just a small taste of the brilliance to come.

First off, the racing is well executed, on par with the best that Mario Kart or any other racer offers. It’s fast paced with just the right feel to the standard kart controls: not too tight, but not too loose. Drifting isn’t the easiest, but I have a feeling that might just be a case of getting used to the PSP’s shoulder buttons, and it should become more natural in time.

The graphics are bright and colourful, as you’d expect in a kart racer, and look great on the PSP’s screen. The two included courses give a nice idea as to the variety of obstacles, jumps and props that can be included in future tracks, as well as in the game’s design component, while the thumbnails of the locked tracks show plenty of variety to be seen right out of the box.

While the game shares LittleBigPlanet’s create and share motif, it does so in a way that feels much easier and accessible than LBP ever felt. The tools on display (while mostly locked in the demo) look extensive, while at the same time quite easy to use. With full access to all the toys in the full tool box, it should be simple and fun to build your own tracks, not to mention designing your own racer and vehicles.

One of the great things about ModNation Racers is that it seems like there are tremendous opportunities for future content, both in terms of generic new objects and what I would assume will be themed releases based on the other Sony properties. There’s something oddly appealing about kart racing with Kratos through hell.

Without a doubt though, my favorite discovery within the game was to be found in the menu. When you choose to start a race, you’ll see three options: standard race, last car standing, and, most delightful of all, the option for a weapon free race. For anyone who’s played Mario Kart, and been cheapshotted with a blue shell right before the finish line (it’s happened to me far too many times), this is a tremendously welcome addition. Personally, I enjoy the challenge of simply driving as much as I do the whole kart experience.

I hesitate to say it, but with the right price and the right promotion, ModNation Racers COULD be the title that saves the PSP in North America (or basically anywhere that’s not Japan). And maybe as a whole, this franchise, with its combination of kart racing, strong on-line community potential, and creation tools can take down Mario Kart from its lofty perch as the best in the genre. From the demo, it’s just that good.