Review: Hot Wheels Let’s Race – Ultimate Speed
Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed is a bright, colourful and very kid-friendly racing game. To be honest, when I was younger I was more into Matchbox and Corgi cars than Hot Wheels, as they always seemed more like an American toy to me.
That being said, Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed is ultimately a racing game in the vein of Mario Kart or Sonic & All-Stars Racing, so it doesn’t really matter what type of car you’re driving. However, one thing Hot Wheels has over traditional Matchbox and Corgi cars is the wonderfully inventive designs. Where else can you race around in a car shaped like a duck or a shark?
The tracks are just as imaginative, with plenty of loops, twists, turns and jumps to keep things interesting. It all fits perfectly with the bright and colourful Hot Wheels aesthetic.
As I mentioned, the game is very kid-friendly and features a tutorial that is perfect for younger children who haven’t played many racing games before. It introduces the basics, including drifting, using boosts and making the most of weapons.
The character designs are also clearly aimed at younger players and reminded me a little of the characters from PAW Patrol. How do I know what the characters in PAW Patrol look like, I hear you ask? Well, I have a nine-year-old and have watched plenty of PAW Patrol in my time.
There are several game modes, including Cup Champion, Free Race and Speed Trials. Cup Champion is the traditional racing tournament mode, where you compete across different championships. One of the main differences between this game and other kart racers is that, at the end of a championship, you face off against a boss. These can include giant snakes or an octopus, and you have to inflict damage by collecting power-ups that target the enemy while avoiding their attacks.
It’s a nice little addition that helps the game stand out from some of the other racing games on the market.
There are several different characters to choose from. They’re fine, if not a little generic, and each has its own handling, speed, and acrobatic abilities. There are also several vehicles available from the beginning, with more unlocked as you continue playing. These have their own handling, speed, and acrobatic stats, and you can customise them further by adding decals.
Track Builder is another nice addition, allowing more creative players to design their own tracks and then race on them. It’s a welcome feature that adds a bit more longevity to the game.
There are no online multiplayer modes, but you can play with up to four players locally using split-screen, which is a good option if you want to play with friends or family.
The cars handle well enough, although there’s nothing particularly spectacular about the driving mechanics. The haptic feedback on the PlayStation controller is a nice touch, though, and adds a little extra to the experience.
As I mentioned earlier, the graphics are bright and colourful and really pop off the screen. Everything has a fun, toy-like appearance that suits the Hot Wheels brand perfectly.
Overall, Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed is a well-put-together racing game that is clearly designed with younger players in mind. It does a good job of introducing children to the racing genre, with an accessible tutorial, simple controls, and plenty of colourful tracks and vehicles to keep them entertained.
There are better kart racers available, such as Mario Kart and Sonic & All-Stars Racing, but if you have younger children who are looking for a fun and accessible racing game, you can’t really go wrong with Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed.
Review by Chris.
