ModNation Racers Release Date and Pre-order Bonuses Announced

Sony and Media Molecule announced the release date for ModNation Racers today. We'll be getting to enjoy Sackboy-esque racing come May 25. But there are now going to be some popular Sony-exclusive characters coming along for the ride. Unfortunately for us, there doesn't seem to be a way to get our hands on all of them, as each retailer will be getting their own pre-order bonus character.

Short aside here: Why are there still retailer-exclusive pre-orders? It's just unfortunate for us consumers. Personally, I boycott GameStop and use Amazon more than anything else. And yet, if I want certain pre-order bonuses, I'd be forced to use GameStop or to not get to enjoy them. The era of retailer-exclusive pre-order bonuses needs to end. Instead, the retailer themselves need to give me a good reason choose them. Okay, end of rant.

Anyway, there will be four (sort of three) characters coming to ModNation Racers:

That's right, Ratchet, Clank, Kratos, and Nate Drake are gearing up to be racers. While Amazon gives you two characters, Ratchet and Clank, the others have a character and a special racer to go along with it. Kratos comes with the cool, chariot-looking Kart of Chaos if you go with GameStop, and Nate Drake has his Jungle Jeep that looks as if it was stolen from the military in Just Cause 2 if you go with Best Buy. Each pre-order also includes a mystery Mod and Kart package that includes not only the Mod and Kart, but additional accessories to be used in Kart customization.

Along with all of this news, Sony and MM also showed off the cover art for the game:

Who will you guys be racing as come the end of May?