Learn effective tips, tricks, and strategies for how to win races in Hot Wheels Unleashed to unlock new cars, tracks, and more throughout the arcade-style racer. Hot Wheels Unleashed offers some help in the way of a tutorial, as the very first race has constant interruptions of text that are thrown at players. These blocks of text inform players on a few mechanics, but there isn't an example of what needs to be done - leaving everyone on their own from the get-go.
Fortunately, every car in Hot Wheels Unleashed has the same stat measurements based on Handling, Braking Power, Speed, and Acceleration. Each stat is based on a six-bar scale with level six-bars being the best possible level for each stat. Additionally, there are several variations of boost available to cars that can supplement additional speed and acceleration. All five of these attributes need to be considered when choosing a car in Hot Wheels Unleashed.
Despite some of the cars in Hot Wheels Unleashed appearing larger and bulkier than others, their weight isn't a contributing factor. Instead, the size difference is reflected in their stats, so there is no need to worry about the bulkier-looking cars having a weighted benefit or hindrance on the jumps throughout each track. Winning more races will depend on the player's control of each car, which is impacted by the stats. Legendary cars like the Batmobile have the best stats.
How To Win More Races In Hot Wheels Unleased
By far the two most important stats to worry about in Hot Wheels Unleashed are Acceleration and Handling. Acceleration determines how quickly a car reaches its top speed, while Handling affects how well a car can take turns. A quick tap of the "brake button" is all that's needed to begin drifting around sharp turns, so the Braking Power stat doesn't need to be higher than three bars to be excellent. Lack of Speed can be compensated by the amount of boost a car has, so if a car has low speed make sure it has a high boost and vice versa.
These are the tips, tricks, and strategies that should be used in every race in Hot Wheels Unleashed:
- Starting Boost - Press and hold the drive forward button as the race starting count down reaches "2" to immediately gain full boost.
- Boost Immediately - After gaining the full boost from the start, use as much as needed to get out ahead of the other cars before the first turn.
- Drift Turns - Nearly every turn in Hot Wheels Unleashed requires drifting to get around.
- Drift Early - Use the brake button to begin drifting as soon as the blue seal or change in track begins for the turn. Green arrows will indicate a sharp turn, and the blue seals on the track or change in track color are good starting points to begin drifting.
- Boost Control - Use boost often, but tactfully. The best time to use a boost is after coming around a drift turn into a straightaway.
- Jumps - Take all jumps as straight on as possible, and use a boost to correct the flight path if need be.
- Boost Regen - There are boost pads that increase the speed of boost recovery, but drifting will recover boost faster than anything.
- Upgrade Cars - Use Gears to upgrade cars. Upgrade previews show the changes that will be made when a car upgrades.
Hot Wheels Unleashed is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.