Play Cars Mater-National Championship Online

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Cover art of Cars Mater-National Championship

3.1 / 5

Platform
Nintendo DS
Developers
Tantalus Interactive
Publishers
THQ
Release date
October 29, 2007

Summary

Cars Mater-National Championship (often shortened to Cars Mater‑National) landed on the Nintendo DS as a faithful port of the console racer. The handheld version keeps the three hub‑worlds—Radiator Springs, Ornament Valley and Tailfin Pass—redesigned with new shortcuts, though some areas stay locked behind race conditions. The graphics retain the bright, cartoonish style of the film, and the controls feel snug enough for quick pick‑ups, making it a solid pick‑up‑and‑play title for younger fans.

Critics gave the DS edition a mixed‑to‑positive reception, hovering around the low‑70s on aggregate sites. Eurogamer scored it 5/10, while GameZone and PALGN were a touch kinder at 6/10 and 8/10 respectively. IGN praised its "cute" and "kid‑friendly" vibe but noted it never really shifts into fifth gear, landing a 6.8/10. Overall, the game sits comfortably between a nostalgic road‑trip and a competent handheld racer, especially for anyone who grew up with the Cars movies.

Storyline

Cars Mater-National Championship picks up after the events of its predecessor and centers on the inaugural Mater‑National Tournament. Lightning McQueen and his buddy Mater host the competition in Radiator Springs, inviting racers from around the globe. Players take the wheel as McQueen, battling international opponents while also managing the construction of his new racing headquarters and an ambitious stadium for the town. The game brings back familiar faces and adds a roster of fresh characters hailing from Germany, Italy, England, Sweden and Japan, expanding the world beyond the original cast. All of this unfolds in a single‑player adventure that blends high‑speed racing with a light touch of management.

Edited by Maya Carter

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  • Screenshot 1 of Cars Mater-National Championship

Game Artworks

  • Artwork 1 of Cars Mater-National Championship

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single