23 years after launch, classic RTS Warcraft 3 is now a racing game

Have you ever wondered what Warcraft 3 would look like if it got the Mario Kart treatment? No, neither have I. But a surprise map for Blizzard's classic RTS answers the question nobody was asking, transforming the top-down strategy game into an almost unrecognizable third-person karting experience.

As seen in the video below, YouTuber 'egodbout2' has created a brand new open-source custom map for Warcraft 3, which is equipped with impressive 3D physics and multiplayer capabilities, with up to 20 players able to race at once. Or, if you somehow can't find 19 other Warcraft 3 players to kart with, then you can compete against AI instead.

There's also an awful lot of familiar, Mario-inspired items to use against your competitors, including a short blast, similar to Super Horns in iconic racing game, Mario Kart, and an intimidating pick-up of ten green shells. Instead of hitting a box once to claim an item, however, you have to hit multiple boxes of the same color to get better items.

The physics in the custom map allow for collision with other karts, but also items in the environment like ice blocks that temporarily freeze you, and snowmen obstacles that slow you down. There's also kart honking, of course, which was shown off liberally in the YouTube demonstration. However, one classic Mario-themed staple that didn't make the cut is jumping. Mario can keep that one, apparently.

Egodbout2's map is called Warcraft Racing Adventure, and it's completely open-source, so you can have a go at making your own races with custom UI. You can download the map here.

If you're looking for something a bit more akin to Warcraft 3's usual gameplay, then take a look through our picks for the best RTS games on PC right now. Alternatively, if World of Warcraft is more your thing, check out our list of the best WoW addons.

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