Game: Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed
Genre: Action, Racing
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows), PlayStation and Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: Bamtang Games | Game Mill
Age Rating: EU 7 | US Everyone
Price: US $39.99 | UK 34.99 | EU € 39.99
Release Date: October 24th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Press Engine.
Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed – Fun For All The Family
If you’ve ever looked at a bright orange Hot Wheels loop and thought, “I wish I could drive through that,” well, your wish has been granted. Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed is exactly what you’d expect from the name: a colourful, chaotic arcade racer that’s brimming with turbo boosts, loops, jumps, and plenty of over-the-top craziness.
This entry takes its cues from the Netflix children’s series of the same name. So yes, it’s definitely skewed toward the younger crowd, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there’s no fun to be had here. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the toys, a parent looking for something to play with your kids, or just someone who likes their racing games to come with a side of cartoon mayhem, there’s something surprisingly solid under the hood.
Toys to Life
From the moment you boot it up, Ultimate Speed throws you straight into the fast lane. It’s loud, bright, and wonderfully unapologetic about being a kids’ game. Each race track looks like a Hot Wheels fever dream, complete with corkscrew turns, gravity-defying loops, and the occasional enormous cobra or dragon trying to ruin your perfect lap. You know, just like a typical drive in the country.
You can pick from several quirky racers straight out of the show, Coop, Spark, Mac, Brights, Axle, and Cruise, all fully voiced and bursting with personality, if you’re into kids show cheese. I haven’t seen the Netflix series myself (I’ve barely got time to watch anything these days, parent life, you know how it is), but the characters slot neatly into the zany tone of the game. It feels like a Saturday morning cartoon that just happens to be playable.
Racing Through the Roller Coaster
The actual driving is pretty satisfying. There are plenty of cars to race with, of all sorts of rather bizarre designs. Like a car crossed with a toaster or one that looks like a shark. Sometimes you need a vehicle that reminds you of breakfast or your favourite animal. It’s not simulation-level stuff (don’t expect Gran Turismo here), but the arcade handling fits perfectly with the playful vibe.
You drift around corners, bash into your rivals, and hit that all-important boost pad for some high-speed chaos. There’s quite a bit of customisation to races. You can select a special track piece to feature in a race, like say a loop the loop or splitting of track,s giving a bit of variety if you replay the same area. You can also select a decal to grant your racer a perk like quick recovery from damage of lengthier speed bursts. You can even select a special ability to activate once charged, like laying an obstruction or a typical boost of speed.
The tracks themselves are the real stars, though. They twist, loop, and launch you through colourful environments in ways that make every race feel a bit like a rollercoaster ride. It’s got that classic “Hot Wheels energy”, the kind where realism politely steps aside so the fun can take the wheel (literally).
Boss battles even make an appearance, which I wasn’t expecting. Facing off against giant serpents or fire-breathing dragons while trying to stay on track? I mean, why not? Moments here shift from racing against other racers to working together. It’s all gloriously ridiculous in the best way.
For Kids, With Room for Everyone Else
Let’s be honest, this game is clearly aimed at the younger crowd. The tone, the dialogue, the bright visuals, it’s all very much in that “animated series brought to life” style. But here’s the thing: it works.
The controls are decent enough and accessible, and the difficulty generally leans easy but with the ability to bump it up (or down) if you choose. It’s suited for young players, but there’s still enough challenge to keep an adult entertained, especially if you’re playing together. Local multiplayer (up to four players) makes this a great choice for family gaming nights.
If you’ve got a little racer in the house, this is one of those rare games that lets both of you enjoy yourselves. There’s genuine fun in sharing a couch and trying to out-drift your kid (or maybe letting them win once in a while, just to be nice).
Build It, Race It, Wreck It
One of the biggest surprises for me was the Track Builder mode. I expected a simple “build your own track” sandbox, but the game actually guides you through clever little challenges first. These short tutorials teach you the mechanics of building loops, ramps, and crazy sections before letting you go wild.
It’s a really smart design choice, especially for younger players who might otherwise just throw random pieces together. Once you’ve got the hang of it, though, you can craft some wild courses. It’s a nice, creative touch that extends the game’s life beyond just racing the same set of tracks.
Conclusion: A Fast and Fun Family Ride
So, here’s the deal: Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed is not deep, it’s not overly technical, but it’s a blast. It’s more than what you’d hope for from a Hot Wheels game based on a kids’ show: fast, colourful, silly, and full of energy.
If you’re a hardcore racing fan, you might be surprised by how much fun it is to just kick back and enjoy something that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And if you’re a parent? This might just be the perfect excuse to grab a couple of controllers and spend an afternoon looping, drifting, and boosting your way to victory with your kids.
At around $39.99 (or £34.99 / €39.99), it’s priced reasonably for what it offers. Think of it as a cheerful little racer that’s more about grins than wins.
Hot Wheels fans, young or old, will find plenty to love here. A surprisingly solid, delightfully silly racer that puts fun first, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
Do you like our content?
Subscribe to our daily news and never miss a review!