Hashire HEBEREKE: EX

Sunsoft’s oddball mascot racers return in a lively remake that treats chaos as the main event. Hashire HEBEREKE: EX turns a simple race to the finish into a slapstick contest of hazards, shortcuts, and disruptive pickups, with the familiar Hebereke cast bringing plenty of cartoon personality to every track. Its colorful presentation and mischievous sound effects keep the tone light, even when a well-timed obstacle sends a leading player tumbling. Character-specific story routes give the solo campaign a little extra flavor across its ten-stage run.

Races demand more than holding the accelerator: players dodge course gimmicks, grab useful items, and look for opportunities to ruin an opponent’s momentum. Local split-screen supports two to four competitors, while online matches expand the mayhem to eight players in randomly selected courses. Beyond standard racing, Engacho turns one unlucky contestant into a tagger marked by an absurd visual punishment, and Popoon Battle becomes a compact arena fight where repeated projectile hits decide each round. Time Attack offers a more focused challenge, letting solo players chase personal bests against their own ghost data, while the included rhythm mode tests button timing with reactive effects, combos, and a Fever state.

What separates it from more polished kart racers is its gleefully strange identity: it feels closer to a fast, competitive party game than a careful driving simulation. Tracks are built around immediate interference and recovery, so a match can swing quickly without requiring deep genre knowledge, although experienced players still benefit from route memory and item awareness. The remake’s expanded online support, multiple side modes, rankings, and adjustable accessibility options make it a stronger package than a nostalgia-only revival. Fans of Super Bomberman’s frantic local energy, retro Japanese character games, or accessible multiplayer rivalries should find plenty to enjoy, especially with friends on the couch.