• Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Nov 11, 2002
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Negative: 4 out of 22
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  1. Mar 9, 2015
    6
    This game is by no means a must-play of its time. At best the graphics do their job and the "cutscenes" are laughable. This game truly deserves a score of 6 though due to how much the dev. team obviously wanted it to be good. You see, the game has a painfully obviously low budget, and, just to drive the point home, Beyond Games went bankrupt shortly after the game's release. The game isThis game is by no means a must-play of its time. At best the graphics do their job and the "cutscenes" are laughable. This game truly deserves a score of 6 though due to how much the dev. team obviously wanted it to be good. You see, the game has a painfully obviously low budget, and, just to drive the point home, Beyond Games went bankrupt shortly after the game's release. The game is just full of ways to make its generic exterior just a little better. Driving feels good, although you bounce off walls in a cartoonish fashion, which has the consequence of turning tunnels into tumble driers. There are a slew of weapons that are fun to use despite being uncreative. Overall, the game is a bunch of fun small distractions on a limited idea. Fighting is fun, but who wants to do that in a car. Stunting is fun, but how are you supposed to do that in a car. Driving around the interesting areas and interacting with cool set pieces is fun, but it becomes as fun as driving around in a real car. Racing is fun, but there is no reward for ever doing it. The best way to play through this game is to set it on normal difficulty, beat the campaign, and just relax with a friend as you drive around big maps in the joyride mode, finding all the collectables. In conclusion, maybe the dev. team would be around today if they weren't sent to die in the hole of shovelware. Expand
  2. Aug 15, 2023
    5
    Fun, challenging and engaging. All cars felt unique and stylish. The weapons were fun and I really miss these kinds of games. Especially after playing the newer ones

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
73
#73 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. 46
    Almost a fun game, except that its controls really hold it back and kill any enjoyment that might have been had with the game.
  2. Game Informer
    60
    This title is like a burrito stuffed with dirt, topped with soap shavings, and wrapped in a warm leather shell. [Feb 2003, p.98]
  3. An unfortunately stuttery frame rate keeps Hot Wheels Velocity X Maximum Justice from reaching its full potential, but the game is still quite enjoyable.