Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Preview: Die-Cast Playground Takes on an Open-World Format

      Milestone

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      Believe it or not, one of my all-time favorite racing games is Hot Wheels Turbo Racing on the N64 and original PlayStation. Over the years, numerous Hot Wheels-branded games have been developed by various creators, but currently, the franchise is in the hands of the racing game experts at Milestone, who previously brought us the exciting and addictive Screamer earlier this year. Their upcoming title, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush, captures the essence of the studio's earlier Unleashed titles while expanding the action into four open-world settings, which are predictably filled with secrets, collectibles, and various event types that you can seamlessly dive into.

      Last week, we had the privilege of trying out a playable preview of Infinite Rush, and it’s looking quite promising. Personally, I found the Unleashed games somewhat lacking due to their rigid physics and uninspired track designs, so shifting to an open-world model for Infinite Rush is a positive move. Instead of playsets mimicking real-life settings, these environments present vibrant, miniature cities. If you’ve experienced Lego 2K Drive, the feel and atmosphere are remarkably similar—just swap one beloved toy franchise for another.

      The extensive launch lineup features 150 die-cast vehicles categorized into four classes: Versatile, Speeder, Drifter, and Titan. Their names are quite descriptive, and similar to Burnout Paradise, each class earns boost through distinctive driving styles. Some vehicles excel in specific scenarios; for instance, you’ll prefer a Titan for off-road driving. The roster includes both fictional Hot Wheels cars and Mattel-styled representations of real-life vehicles, such as the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Lancia Delta Integrale, NA Mazda Miata, and Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, among others.

      Milestone

      They all look fantastic as well, which is something Milestone consistently achieves in their games. Their use of the Unreal Engine allows them to create the most realistic-looking toy cars you can imagine, from their metallic finishes to their printed details and plastic wheels. Unsurprisingly, considering Screamer's excellent performance, the preview build I tested on my mid-range PC ran exceptionally well at high settings.

      I appreciate that there’s always a challenge waiting in these open worlds, and initiating an event feels even smoother than in Forza Horizon, with loading screens being less frequent as well. I particularly enjoy the “Daredevil” feature—vehicles you encounter during your journey that trigger an immediate head-to-head race when you get close. If you defeat them, they join your collection; if not, you’ll have to wait until they reappear.

      Hot Wheels™ Infinite Rush – Announcement Trailer

      In terms of driving mechanics, I didn't have a strong positive or negative reaction. There's a certain stiffness and weightiness to low-speed maneuvers that are common in modern arcade racers. Personally, I prefer handling that is less prone to understeering and more agile, but given the game’s focus on executing long drifts, especially with the Drifter-class vehicles, it makes sense.

      The Wheelswood environment, which was the only one available in the version I tested, features grid-like city streets, mountain roads, and, of course, large orange and blue Hot Wheels tracks with thrilling curves and enormous loops, just as one would expect. Players can also create their own custom tracks within these areas. Whenever you collide with a lamp post or shrub, you hear a charming plastic popping noise. Indeed, the developers clearly understood their vision.

      Milestone

      In summary, Infinite Rush has the potential to be Milestone’s finest Hot Wheels game to date, not just in terms of content but also unique gameplay. Similar to 2K Drive, it seems to be an experience more tailored for children than for those currently indulging their automotive dreams in Forza Horizon 6. That said, what’s currently available is already much more captivating and comprehensive than the past Hot Wheels and Lego expansions in Forza. Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is expected to launch on September 24 at a reasonable price of $50 for Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and S, PS5, and PC.

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