This years pick of racing games for me has been Hot Wheels Unleashed.

True, it released a couple of years ago, but whenever I have had a spare hour or two it has been my go to on both console and PC.

Now hot of the heels of Hot Wheels Unleashed comes Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged.

At the start you’ll have a selection of bikes, cars and even a monster truck. Each vehicle has its own unique set of features and drawbacks, from Boost level, to drifting prowess, handling and speed.

Then the game literally throws you into your first race.

Up against other similarly spec’d vehicles it’s within this tutorial race you’ll get a feel for the game.  But someone should tell Milestone it’s not great to throw full screen prompts and tips throughout a fierce race to the finish.

Nonetheless, for players of the first Unleashed title you’ll notice a few new additions have been added. Such as the ability to bump your competitors into a railing, an obstacle or each other.

Boost handles a bit different as well. And then there’s the ability and need to jump. Car physics have been revised to more real world. Boost right up behind an opponent to make them flip as would happen to a real plastic toy car.

Completing races earns you Coins, Spin Tokens and all important Skill Points. Spend your hard earned Coins in the game’s Shop. The vehicles offered in there refresh constantly.

Spin Tokens are used within the Hot Wheels Spin. A casino like affair where you get a random prize from the spin wheel.

Skill points add to your tally and you’ll level up.

You can upgrade your existing vehicles and also sticker them up too.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has an easy to use main menu. Everything is tiled, from quick race modes, track builder, shop and more.

Quick Race features a myriad of gameplay options, including multiplayer split screen. Time Attack, Elimination, Drifting, Single Race and more.

Don’t like the tracks on offer, or tried them all, then build your own and test them out with friends. And all tracks tend to have a few environmental hazards.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged also has an odd story mode; Creature Rampage.

You’re a part of a squad that uses a Professor’s Shrinkatron.

You’ve been shrunk down to micro size and take on differing courses, challenges and even bosses.

While the story was a bit weird, the game it offers is a whole lotta fun.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has got my love and now I’m finding it to be my new go to in my downtime. Admittedly, I prefer the Quick races and multiplayer to the Creature shrinkathon story mode.

There’s also a feeling of nostalgia for grown up kids like me that used to race their Hotwheels cars against mates with cobbled together tracks.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has taken everything that made the first Unleashed an excellent play and revved it up a few boosts.

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Milestone and Mattel, Inc.have released a new trailer for Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, available starting October 19th, 2023.

In Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, having a fast car will not be the only key to success, as gameplay has been revolutionised with the introduction of two new moves that add an extra layer of depth to competition. With the power of boost, players will be able to Jump or Double Jump at any moment. This new action serves as an ideal tool for overtaking opponents or navigating tight spaces by avoiding obstacles. Moreover, these new moves enable players to not only enhance their racing skills but also discover new shortcuts or access previously unreachable sections of the track.

Meanwhile, the brand-new Lateral Dash allows players to swiftly shift to the left or right, colliding with opponents on either side of their vehicle. Using this manoeuvre, players can strategically force opponents out of bounds or use them to bounce within the confines of the orange plastic track. These new abilities, combined with the boost and drift mechanics players know and love from Hot Wheels Unleashed™, open up a multitude of opportunities and greatly expand the possibilities for players to make strategic decisions and interpret each race and track in their preferred way.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged takes the fun to the next level by introducing five distinct and completely new environments. Players will be transported to an expansive Arcade reminiscent of the bygone era of coin-operated games; a Backyard of a residential house transformed into a thrilling racing arena; a Mini Golf Course nestled within a Wild West township; a Museum where players can race among reproductions of dinosaurs and other fossil artifacts; and a Gas Station housing a once tranquil diner serving juicy hamburgers. In addition, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged will feature the Track Room, which offers a special empty environment for players who prefer to unleash their creativity and design their own unique tracks in a neutral space.

Many of the game’s diverse range of tracks will take place exclusively indoors or in the open air, while others will seamlessly transition between both settings, providing a dynamic and immersive racing experience. This variety of settings elevates gameplay, as different environments offer a range of surfaces that significantly impact the handling of vehicles. As a result, racers will need to adapt their skills and carefully select the appropriate vehicle for each race, ensuring a thrilling and strategic experience.

Speaking of vehicles, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged presents a vastly expanded launch line up featuring an impressive collection of 130 iconic vehicles from the Hot Wheels universe, including the introduction of all-new classes such as ATVs and Motorcycles. Each vehicle possesses a unique style and character based on the category it belongs to. For example, vehicles in the Rocket category deliver unmatched speed on straightaways, while those in the Balanced category offer a perfect blend of speed and manoeuvrability. The Swift category presents a lighter and fiercely competitive option, while the Drifter is perfect for mastering corners with professional finesse. In contrast, the Heavy-Duty category features colossal and robust vehicles, and the Off-Road class represents the ideal choice for conquering the most challenging off-track terrain.

To truly dominate the competition, a combination of muscle and brain is essential. That’s why Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged introduces a brand-new Skill System that allows players to customise their vehicles’ driving experience. Players can now invest Skill Points they earn in a Skill Tree consisting of three branches, each focusing on different aspects. These include enhancing boost and related features, improving handling, and upgrading the ability to navigate obstacles. The meaningful choices made in the skill tree enrich both moment-to-moment gameplay and long-term variety as players explore the breadth of customisation options.

In Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged it’s not just what’s under the hood that matters. The improved Livery Editor will allow the creation of unique designs to stand out on the track, while the new Sticker Editor will enable players to create, save, and share specific patterns and shapes, allowing for further customisation of their vehicle’s appearance! Once they are satisfied with their designs, players can share them with the world, showcasing their artistic skills to fellow racers.

“On top of their expertise with racing games, Milestone’s unique ability to understand the Hot Wheels brand was the key ingredient in making Hot Wheels Unleashed such a success,” said Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “With Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, Milestone has taken gameplay, customisation, graphics, and more to the next level, all while elevating the authentic Hot Wheels experience that remains the wondrous heart of this series.”

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged is available now for pre-order on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

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