What do you get when you mash up the chaotic energy of Mario Kart with the last-player-standing madness of Fortnite? According to its creators, the answer is DeGen Rivals—a free-to-play, kart-based Battle Royale that’s equal parts arcade racer, arena brawler, and Saturday morning fever dream.
Launching in March 2026 on Steam, the App Store, and Google Play—with a playable demo set to arrive during Steam Next Fest in February—DeGen Rivals throws eight players into online chaos across a lineup of wild levels and fast-paced game modes.
A Mad Scientist’s Playground
The world of DeGen Rivals is the twisted creation of “The Doctor,” a rogue scientist who splices together absurd DNA combinations using whatever he can find—pizza, zombies, cats, and more. The result? A roster of unhinged DeGens ready to blast, bash, and body-check their way to victory.
At its core, the game blends kart racing with physics-driven combat. Players fire blasters, trigger over-the-top power-ups, and weaponize their vehicles to knock opponents off the map. In the main Battle Royale mode, competitors must outlast seven other drivers while escaping “The Crush,” a closing threat that ensures matches stay intense until the final kart is rolling.
More Than Just Last Kart Standing
Beyond its signature Battle Royale mode, DeGen Rivals offers a rotating slate of party-style modes designed for quick matches or private lobby showdowns. These include:
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Cops n’ Robbers
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Loot Smash
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Order Up!
Whether you’re chasing down rivals or defending your turf, the emphasis is on fast action and unpredictable outcomes.
Customize Everything
Customization plays a huge role in the experience. In the Lab, players can “DeGenerate” their own avatar by mixing traits into a one-of-a-kind creation. Over in the Garage, vehicles can be tricked out with seemingly endless cosmetic combinations.
Daily Quests reward players with Smash Cash, which can be used to unlock exclusive items and level up. Competitive players can also form Guilds, climb leaderboards, and compete in Seasonal Tournaments for bragging rights and glory.
A Veteran Vision
The project comes from Josh Hassin, a former Sony game director with more than 15 years in the industry. Drawing inspiration from vehicular combat classics like Twisted Metal, Hassin set out to create a new spin on Battle Royale—one built around cartoon chaos, car culture flair, and accessible online play.
Cross-Platform Chaos
DeGen Rivals supports cross-platform multiplayer across PC and mobile devices, including Steam Deck compatibility at launch. Built in Unity, the game will be available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (BR), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
With its blend of kart physics, arena combat, and free-to-play accessibility, DeGen Rivals is positioning itself as a fast, chaotic alternative to traditional Battle Royale shooters.
The demo arrives during Steam Next Fest this February, with the full launch set for March 2026. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when kart racing meets online survival madness, this might be your next arena to conquer.