Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is the definition of a perfect sequel. It keeps what made the first game work and improves what didn’t. I loved this iteration much more than the original and can see myself playing this for a long time. I wish the cars were more available and not packaged as DLC, but I get why they are doing that. I wish I got some carry over from the first game, but on its own Unleashed 2 is a great time that I cannot recommend enough.

Turbocharged is one of the most complete, fun, and well-built arcade driving games on the market. They are for the youngest members of the family as well as for the elderly. Its only drawback? It's like it's an expansion of the content of the first Unleashed.

It is very easy to get swept up by the plastic fantastic iconic imagery of the Hot Wheels franchise, with a clear dedication to true-to-life model cars, this game is a lot of fun if you don’t take it too seriously. Overall I enjoyed my time playing as multiple different vehicles, including bikes, however, my inner child may have found it repetitive outside of the custom building content. This game is sure to bring smiles to many small gamers’ faces as they zoom around the tracks, and I truly believe that is where this game will shine – with its intended audience, children.

Better than the predecessor in terms of gameplay, lots of content and - finally - without loot boxes. Only the story and boss fights don't really inspire.

As someone who enjoyed Hot Wheels Unleashed I was excited to give Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged a try and it did not disappoint. Is it more of the same? Yes but every aspect of the game has improved. The new modes and individual car upgrade systems really give some depth to what could have been cash grab reskin of the previous game. Happy to say I don’t think that is the case and I look forward to playing this some more and seeing what kind of DLC awaits us as that is something I thought the first game did well.

Offering more vehicles, new environments, a story mode, and a raft of new features, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged takes what worked in the first game, and turns up the heat. As far as knockabout, fun arcade racing is concerned, this is about as good as it gets.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged is an extremely safe, but ultimately very fun sequel. The new story mode doesn’t change the formula, but the new game modes, the tons of content and customization on top of an improved core gameplay make this an exhilarating racer for young and old.

An impeccably detailed and blisteringly fast racer with incredible graphics and rock-solid arcade underpinnings, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 picks up where the surprisingly excellent 2021 original left off. That is, it’s not just the best thing on the breakfast bench since Micro Machines – it’s one of the strongest and most imaginative arcade racers available today. It’s definitely guilty of forgetting to suitably cater to its wide audience at times, it’s stingy on older cars, and it would’ve been a much bigger and better package if it didn’t completely shed its previous track locations, but the last time Mattel had wheels this worthy of a whirl they were welded beneath Ryan Gosling’s rollerblades.

If you’re looking for a good, fast, racer then Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged should be on your list. This is especially true for those who enjoyed the first game, because this is mostly more of the same with some select improvements and additions. It’s still not the best or tightest racer around, but it’s good fun. Its slight control issues and occasional bouts of frustration are more easily overlooked this time around, too, partially thanks to a new difficulty system which makes the game much more accessible.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged follows the footsteps of the first episode, expanding the formula and offering a full-bodied package, packed with content, cars, and plenty of arcade-style fun. The absence of more acrobatic tracks in true Hot Wheels style is noticeable, but it is still a very entertaining arcade racer.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a more than remarkable arcade speed game in which everything works as it should. The graphic quality is excellent, the feeling of speed is very well achieved, the circuits are very fun... it has everything you need to give you hours and hours of fun, alone or in company, in the main mode or playing online against rivals of all the world.

I can’t knock Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged for too much; it’s an enjoyable, arcade-like racer that feels like something you might find in the arcade. It captures what it’s like to be a kid imagining race courses for your toys and offers an almost overwhelming customizable playbox. The quick races and variety in modes never let anything become too dull before you’re on to the next objective, boosting your way to victory. I’m not a Hot Wheels diehard, but the sheer creativity, speed, and customization hooked me.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged tries hard to improve on its predecessor, and while stage designs, vehicle list and visuals are solid enough, the game becomes repetitive after a few short hours and puts a big question mark in front of its hefty price tag.

It all leaves Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged to be seen as a decent alternative to its predecessor. If you want to blast around with your favourite Hot Wheels vehicles, this is as good as you're going to get. But if it's a massive racing overhaul you were expecting, you'll be left disappointed. More of the same will have to do you.