Family Couch Chaos: Hot Wheels Let’s Race Ultimate Speed Reviewed

This Hot Wheels launch caught my eye for real couch co-op reasons

I’m a sucker for a good toy-car racer. After logging way too many hours in Milestone’s Hot Wheels Unleashed and seeing GameMill’s, let’s say, “mixed” history with licensed games, Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed immediately pinged my radar. It’s out now on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, priced as a budget title with a kid-forward vibe tied to Netflix’s show. The pitch? Four-player split-screen, character cars from the series, a track builder, and boss races—the kind of stuff that can light up a living room. But there are a few flags you should know about before you jump in.

Key takeaways

• Built for families and fans of the Netflix series: simple arcade racing, character cars, and short-session modes.
• Local split-screen for up to four players is a win; no online multiplayer or cloud sharing at launch.
• Content looks modest: 12 tracks and five modes, but the track builder and progression loop aim to extend longevity.
• Day-One DLC (High Voltage Speed) and a pricier Digital Deluxe upsell—watch the value math.
• Bamtang delivers approachable fun over technical polish; expect playful energy, not Milestone-level drift depth.

What you get in the box

Ultimate Speed is positioned as a family-friendly arcade racer where you pick from the show’s crew—Coop, Spark, Mac, Brights, Axle, and Cruise—and pilot a mix of character rides and Hot Wheels icons like GT-Scorcher, Super Twin Mill, Roger Dodger, and Duck N’ Roll. There are 12 themed tracks inspired by episodes of the Netflix series, plus five modes:

• Racing Camp: Tutorial and time trials to learn power boosts and drift corners.
• Cup Champ: Tournaments across themed track cups.
• Speed Trials: Short sprint challenges to chase leaderboard times.
• Track Builder: Design and test your own circuits using modular pieces.
• Free Races: Casual runs without objectives, perfect for unstructured couch chaos.

You can race solo against AI or pile four people onto a couch for split-screen, which is becoming an endangered feature in modern racers. That local multiplayer support is a big plus for family game nights.

Performance and technical polish

PS5 and Xbox Series X|S: Both next-gen versions run at up to 4K Ultra HD, with target framerates around 60fps. Load times on SSD are snappy—usually under 10 seconds to get into a race. Input responsiveness feels solid, with minimal latency on controllers. Split-screen still holds above 50fps in 1080p split view, though occasional frame dips appear in heavy boss arenas.

Nintendo Switch: The docked mode targets 1080p but generally runs closer to 720p when four players share the screen. Framerates hover between 30–45fps, dipping during graphic-heavy boss sequences. Handheld mode drops resolution further but remains playable for younger racers. Motion controls are supported but feel tacked on—classic stick drifting works more reliably.

PC (Steam): On a GTX 1660 or equivalent, you can hit 60fps at 1080p with high settings. PC load times are similar to consoles when installed on an SSD. Players with beefier GPUs can push 1440p or 4K at 60fps, though VRR support is unconfirmed. Overall, performance is stable on midrange hardware.

Deep dive: Track Builder usability

The track builder is Ultimate Speed’s wild card. From the main menu, you choose a base layout (oval, figure-8, or custom snippet) then drag and drop track pieces from categories like loops, stunts, straightaways, corners, and boosters. Part variety is moderate—around 40 unique segments, including jump ramps and corkscrews—but it covers the essentials for wacky designs.

UI flow is simple: select a piece, place it on a grid, rotate with shoulder buttons, and snap to adjacent nodes. You can save up to 10 custom tracks locally, then load them in Free Races or even Cup Champ cups. Sharing is limited to local menus—there’s no online code system or community exchange at launch. That means you’ll have to pass the controller for friends to test your creations.

Progression and grind: Flame badges and unlocks

The Ultimate Garage progression uses “flame badges” as currency. You earn 1–3 badges per race depending on placement and performance, with bonus badges awarded for smashing boss obstacles or hitting time thresholds. Unlockable content includes:

• Approximately 20–25 cars (mix of Netflix characters and Hot Wheels icons).
• Over 50 decals, paint jobs, rim styles, and trail effects.
• 30+ track builder parts like stunt loops and themed props.

Badge costs escalate: basic car unlocks start at 5 badges, while premium icons need 10–15. Track parts range from 3–8 badges each. The loop is serviceable: a full Cup Champ campaign can net 20–25 badges, so you’ll unlock most core content after a few hours. Collectors chasing every decal or track piece can expect a mild grind—but nothing that should frustrate younger players.

Boss battles: More than just lap racing

Ultimate Speed peppers in boss showdowns to break up the track-lap monotony. You’ll face Professor Rearview’s giant cobra in a lava cave, where you dodge spitting fireballs and steer through toxic clouds. Another highlight is the fire-breathing dragon boss: track rails loop around its neck, forcing you to time your boosts to avoid flame bursts. Mechanics are straightforward—hit boost pads, avoid hazards, and race to the finish before the boss re-charges its attack. They’re short encounters but add memorable set pieces for kids.

Multiplayer and sharing limitations

Local split-screen is the star feature: up to four controllers plug into one console or PC, and you’re racing in seconds. There is zero online multiplayer or matchmaking at launch. That limits those who want to race friends over the internet or swap custom tracks via code. If online sharing or leaderboards matter, keep an eye on patch notes post-launch—GameMill has added features via updates before.

Monetization and editions explained

There are three versions at launch:

• Standard Edition: £34.99/€39.99. Base game with 12 tracks and core modes.
• Digital Deluxe: £44.99/€49.99. Includes base game plus High Voltage Speed DLC (adds 3 cars and 2 track builder kits).
• Switch Limited Edition: £34.99/€39.99. Same content as Standard, plus a physical GT-Scorcher die-cast.

The stand-alone High Voltage Speed DLC is £11.99/€14.99. If you want every car and extra builder parts, the Digital Deluxe is the easiest route, though its value depends on how much you’ll use the new content. The Switch Limited Edition die-cast is a neat collector’s perk if you already planned to buy the base game.

Industry context: GameMill, Bamtang, and the Hot Wheels strategy

GameMill has a reputation for budget-friendly licensed titles—some hits, some misses. Bamtang specializes in kid-centric racers, prioritizing colorful visuals and straightforward controls over sim-grade physics. This pairing signals the goal: accessible fun over technical wizardry. Mattel’s two-lane approach is clear: Milestone’s Unleashed caters to hobbyists hungry for drift mechanics, while Ultimate Speed speaks directly to families glued to the Netflix show.

Value check and what to watch post-launch

At £34.99/€39.99, the base price aligns with a budget racer—but it still needs post-launch support to stay fresh. Keep an eye on:

• Performance patches for any Switch frame drops and occasional boss scene hitches.
• New track part packs or DLC that expand the builder beyond the initial 40 pieces.
• Potential online leaderboard or track-sharing code system.
• Community mods on PC, if Steam Workshop support ever arrives.

If the team continues to add free content or polishes input lag, Ultimate Speed could become a go-to for family gatherings. Without updates, its modest 12-track count and local-only sharing may start to feel thin after a few weekend marathons.

TL;DR

Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed looks like a solid, kid-first couch racer with character cars, boss events, and a track builder to pad out its modest 12-track offering. The price is friendly, the split-screen is a win, and the Day-One DLC upsell is the biggest eyebrow-raiser. If you want Saturday-morning chaos with the family, this could deliver; competitive diehards should stick with Unleashed or Mario Kart.