Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Review: Wide open, but to a fault
If you have a toy brand – especially one built around race cars – it’s a given that you should have some form of racing video game associated with it. That’s not always a success story, as it usually depends on the developer and concept. But we have seen it done, particularly with the Hot Wheels franchise. Three years after its release, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged remains a pinnacle for the series.
Now, Milestone has returned with Hot Wheels Infinite Rush (finally available on Switch 2, along with other consoles), and it brings the toy racing back. But this time, there’s a wrinkle – it’s open world. Does that make things better or worse? Well…would you believe a bit of both?
Going Open-World With Hot Wheels
See, with an open-world game, there’s no rigid structure. That opens the door for discovery, but it can make getting where you want to go a bit tedious. So you get the best and worst of it in one package.
I do like the idea of discovering new challenges along the way, along with hidden collectibles. There’s all sorts of stuff you can stumble across, as well as particular ways to get to it. Never mind just the large loop-de-loop ramp you can take – with other jumps and hidden paths to rev your wheels on. Not to mention the bevy of vehicles you gain access to. Come to Poppa!
That said, the map is large, which means it can take a bit getting from destination to destination. That’s a stark change from what the Unleashed games do, letting you get right into the action. But younger players and exploration types may welcome the change.
Milestone’s team did a great job adapting the Unleashed style of control into the game. Vehicle movement is very responsive, even if drifting does take a little bit of getting used to. I still haven’t gotten the hang of it, but it’s getting there. Plus I had no trouble using boosts to maintain my lead during the events. Others are likely to do the same, no matter your skill set.
That said, the time it takes to getting to your next event isn’t the only issue. There are also some loading-time headaches. At least, on the Switch 2 version that I reviewed. Some races can take up to 30 seconds to load, where Unleashed 2 was more instant on the Xbox. Maybe the mileage varies depending on console, but if you’re going with Nintendo’s system, have a small bit of patience.
The track builder, however, is back. It’s not as good as it was in previous games, but there’s lots of building opportunities with it. And it’s neat how it blends in with the already existing world. I was just hoping for a more open community, but maybe it takes time to build. Don’t be afraid to get in there and build your dream racing utopia.
What’s Missing From the Machine?
The track design feels… off. I dunno, the level of creativity I saw in the Unleashed games feels a little diminished here. Maybe that’s because of the open world and the other options presented, but it just feels like repetition does set in for a few tracks when it should remain fresh. Like with the Hot Wheels expansion for Forza Horizon 5 we saw a while back. Still love that one.
Also, surprisingly enough, there’s very little here in terms of story. That’s good news for those of you that don’t want to deal with talking heads and want to hop into the race. But for everyone else, it feels like a missed opportunity. See, there’s nothing wrong with structure. Or maybe explaining more about the giant King Kong-esque ape hanging in the middle of the cityscape. A little narrative would’ve gone a long way.
Aside from that, though, there’s variety galore. Lots of tracks are available, along with unlockable goodies with each victory and, of course, the hidden items (like the neon Hot Wheels logos) that you can acquire.
There’s also online play, but it’s limited to races only. It’s okay, but took a bit to connect to each event. I also noticed a complete lack of a free roam option, something I think would’ve made the open world approach more likeable. Still, the online functionality works, which is a plus.
How’s the Performance Under the Hood?
Next, let’s talk performance. I already discussed the long loading times for Infinite Rush on the Nintendo Switch 2. But what about how it runs? The game performs moderately at 30 frames per second, never really dipping below that speed. I was disappointed there wasn’t a higher performance option, but it’s not bad. It even holds up with that frame rate in split-screen, which is welcome for kids that want to race alongside friends (up to four specifically).
That said, there are noticeable glitches. Certain objects behave oddly because of physicality, sending them either flying off or maybe not going as far as you’d like. It’s weird. But at least the cars look great, and some of the open world design does show imagination (like with the aforementioned giant ape).
As for the music, however, it’s…safe. That’s not to say it’ll bore you to tears, but there aren’t any tracks here that get you pumped up for racing. The soundtrack feels rather generic when it should be screaming “HOT WHEELS!”, with bands creating individual themes for each type of car. The sound effects, however, come through with lots of engines roaring and ambient effects.
Conclusion
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush does just enough to warrant a purchase on the Nintendo Switch 2. But like any racing game, your mileage may vary depending on the approach. The open world has merit, but limits track design as a result. It also has local and online multiplayer to spare, but the campaign does very little to keep you motivated. At least the unlockables are cool, and finding some of the higher-up collectibles will take time.
I’m sticking with Unleashed 2: Turbocharged as my main favorite, but Infinite Rush keeps up to speed enough to be a mostly enjoyable ride. Just be prepared for the speed bumps that come along.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2 (reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and PlayStation 5. Publisher: Milestone; Developer: Milestone Srl; Players: 1-4 (local), 2-12 (online); Released: September 10, 2026; ESRB: E; MSRP: $49.99.
Editor’s note: The publisher provided a review copy to Hey Poor Player.
