Hot Wheels Unleashed

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a 2021 racing game developed and published by Milestone based on Mattel's Hot Wheels toyline. The game was released on September 30, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Versions for Amazon Luna and Stadia were made available in July and September 2022, respectively. A sequel, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, was released in October 2023.

Hot Wheels Unleashed
Developer(s)Milestone
Publisher(s)Milestone
Designer(s)Federico Cardini
SeriesHot Wheels
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseNS, PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
September 30, 2021
Amazon Luna
July 21, 2022
Stadia
September 29, 2022
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
In the game, players race against each other using Hot Wheels vehicles in miniature tracks set in various everyday locations.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a racing game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of vehicles from the Hot Wheels franchise, and races against other opponents in miniature tracks set in various everyday locations and environments, such as a garage, kitchen, and bedroom. The vehicles featured in the game can be extensively customized. Sixty-six different cars were available at launch.[2] The game also features a career mode, a time trial, and a track editor.[3][4] The game supports up to 12 players in an online session, though players can also compete with another player in a local split-screen multiplayer mode.[2] Players had the opportunity to submit their car designs in the “Hot Wheels Unleashed Design Battle” and the winning design was used to create a Hot Wheels toy available for purchase in December 2022.[5]

Development

The game was developed by Italian developer Milestone, the company behind the MotoGP games and the Ride series, and marks the first console game based around the property since 2013.[6][7] Milestone pitched the idea to Mattel in 2018 although they did not expect them to take up the offer.[8] Milestone desired to create such a game after realizing that although they specialized in sim racers that was a "niche of the niche" and the racing genre itself was quite crowded, with lead game designer Federico Cardini telling Polygon "could we make a game to the level of, I don't know, Gran Turismo? Technically speaking, yes. Should we go head to head with Gran Turismo? That does not sound like a great idea".[7] The game uses a physics system similar from Milestone's other games, heavily modified so that the cars would be able to perform stunts the series is known for. The team wanted to base the gameplay on physics because they felt that many other Arcade racers felt "scripted" with the cars not reacting to the player's action.[7]

According to Cardini, the development team desired to accurately replicate Hot Wheels vehicles to a "1:1 ratio" in the game. Using this method, the team added in many subtle details to the cars and maps.[6] Cardini described the in-game garage as the "inspiration to the entire game", noting its many characteristics.[6]

Marketing and release

The game was officially announced in February 2021.[9] The game was released on September 30 the same year for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.[10] Milestone also had plans to support the game extensively with downloadable content upon launch.[11] A version for Amazon Luna was made available on July 21, 2022.[12] A Game of the Year edition containing all of the downloadable content was released for all available platforms alongside Stadia on September 29 the same year.[13]

Reception

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the PlayStation 5 and Windows versions received "generally favorable" reviews,[15][17] while the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X/S versions received "mixed or average" reviews.[14][16][18]

Awards and accolades

Hot Wheels Unleashed was nominated for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2021,[27] as well as Racing Game of the Year at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[28]

Sales

Hot Wheels Unleashed was the fourth best selling title in United Kingdom behind FIFA 22, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Sonic Colors: Ultimate.[29] As of December 2021, the game has sold 1 million copies, becoming the fastest-selling title ever for the publisher.[30] As of April 2023, the game has sold over 2 million copies and has amassed 8 million players across all platforms.[31]

Sequel
Main article: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

A sequel, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, is set to be released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S on October 19, 2023.[32]

References
  1. Mat, Paget (December 13, 2021). "Unreal Engine developers take center stage at The Game Awards 2021". Unreal Engine. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  2. Borthwick, Ben (September 27, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed burns rubber in launch trailer". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  3. Winslow, Jeremy (February 25, 2021). "New Hot Wheels Unleashed Racing Game Launches This September From MotoGP Devs". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. Filliani, Alessandro (April 9, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Is What You Imagined Hot Wheels Were As A Kid". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  5. rawmeatcowboy (June 15, 2022). "Winning Design of the Hot Wheels Unleashed Design Battle Will be Available as a Real Toy". Go Nintendo. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  6. Reilly, Luke (May 28, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Wants to Make Arcade Racing Fans Feel Young Again". IGN. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. S good, Owen (13 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed's studio dreams big with a tiny toy idea". Polygon. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  8. Young, Patrick (30 September 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Interview: Milestone Talks Influences, Development, and Crossovers". Gamerant. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  9. Stewart, Marcus (February 25, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Brings Arcade-Style Racing To Consoles And PC This September". Game Informer. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  10. S. Good, Owen (February 25, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed brings the orange plastic track to consoles this fall". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  11. Romano, Sal (August 31, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed DLC plan announced". Gematsu. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  12. Amazon Luna [@amazonluna] (July 21, 2022). "#NewonLuna+ and #NewonFamilyChannel: Collect iconic Hot Wheels™ vehicles, build your dream track, and bring it all to life as you race to victory. #HotWheelsUnleashed by @MilestoneItaly is now on both Luna+ and Family channels 💜🏎🚦 Play now: t.co/EOXO9AiFQr t.co/vjZPvMvYoL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
  13. Neaves, Adam (2022-09-29). "Hot Wheels Unleashed: GOTY Edition Out Now". GameHype. Archived from the original on 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  14. "Hot Wheels Unleashed for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  15. "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  16. "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  17. "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  18. "Hot Wheels Unleashed for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  19. Handley, Zoey (30 September 2021). "Review: Hot Wheels Unleashed". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  20. Miller, Matt (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review – Simple, Satisfying Speed". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  21. Carr, James (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review - Toybox Drift". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  22. Reilly, Luke (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  23. Cagnard, Max (27 September 2021). "Test de Hot Wheels Unleashed". Jeuxvideo.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  24. "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  25. "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review (PS5)". Push Square. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  26. Erskine, Donovan (27 September 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed review: Pedal to the plastic". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  27. Ankers, Adele (16 November 2021). "The Game Awards Nominations Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  28. "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Hot Wheels Unleased". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  29. "UK Sales Charts: Sonic Colours Ultimate Blocks Hot Wheels Unleashed from Podium Finish". Push Square. October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  30. "Hot Wheels Unleashed sales top one million". Gematsu. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  31. Romano, Sal (April 11, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed sales top two million". Gematsu. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  32. Stewart, Marcus (May 31, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Crosses The Finish Line In October". Game Informer. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
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