A new Hot Wheels arcade game might be just around the corner, and while details are still scarce, the buzz is starting to build. Adrenaline Amusements, known for their previous arcade release Hot Wheels: King of the Road, as well as a variety of hits since they first released Fruit Ninja FX, seems to be shifting gears toward a more serious racing experience over what has been done with the license previously.
Let’s take a closer look at what we know so far—and why fans of the brand should keep their eyes on this one.
A New Look Into the Hot Wheels Formula
Back in 2020, Adrenaline Amusements launched King of the Road, a multi-player videmption game that focused more on casual fun and prize tickets than pure racing. It was a hit in Family Entertainment Centers, but it wasn’t your typical sit-down racer.
Now, it seems they’re stepping things up with what could be the first non-redemption Hot Wheels racing game for arcades. The rumored title is simply called Hot Wheels, and it appears to be housed in the same cabinet used for Need For Speed Heat: Takedown DX.
That’s already a big shift from what we’ve seen before—less about multiplayer chaos and more about classic racing mechanics.
Clues from the Cabinet
The cabinet design gives us a few hints:
- It includes a player-facing camera, just like NFS Heat Takedown.
- Up to four cabinets can be linked together for competitive racing.
- It’s likely testing already, since Adrenaline tends to publish manuals when a game is on location test.
While the manual doesn’t reveal many features yet—one section is literally a blank page—it’s a strong sign that we’re not far from a full reveal.
Could This Be Based on Hot Wheels Unleashed 2?
One theory gaining traction is that this new game might use elements from Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, the home console game by Milestone. It makes sense. NFS Heat Takedown was heavily inspired by a home game but reworked enough to fit the arcade environment.
If that’s the case here, we might see a lineup of recognizable cars, those iconic orange and blue tracks, and environments pulled from real-world locations.
What About the Other Hot Wheels Arcade Games?
To quickly recap, there have been a few Hot Wheels-themed games in arcades over the years:
- Hot Wheels: King of the Road – A redemption-style party racer for up to six players.
- Hot Wheels: Ultimate Race – Distributed by Coastal Amusements, this one focused more on simplified gameplay and big visuals.
But none of them offered a dedicated sit-down arcade racing experience—until now, potentially.
If the testing phase goes well (assuming it’s happening), Adrenaline Amusements could officially launch this game later in 2025. That would be a major step forward for the Hot Wheels brand in arcades, moving it closer to the level of other high-end racers like Cruis’n Blast or Initial D Arcade Stage.
For now, though, we wait. Whether or not this mystery racer delivers something new and exciting, the fact that a serious Hot Wheels arcade game might exist at all is something fans should be excited about.
Keep an eye out—you might just see it popping up in your local arcade sooner than expected.
Thanks for reading! Here at PrimeTime Amusements, we like to keep ahead of the curve in arcade game rental and sales and pride ourselves in providing the best service in the country. If you’re looking for a game in particular, or have a few questions about the industry, feel free to give us a call at 1.800.550.0090 or to swing by at 5300 Powerline Rd. Suite 210, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 33309.
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