Milestone’s open-world arcade racer Hot Wheels Infinite Rush launched in early access on September 7, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and ROG Xbox Ally. The title transitions the toy-car franchise into a four-island open world while retaining series-staple handling and introducing over 150 vehicles.
After two successful, circuit-focused arcade racing games in the Unleashed series, developer Milestone has shifted gears. The studio expanded its formula into an open-world structure, though early critical reception suggests the bold pivot brings mixed results for the franchise.
Early Access Launch and Platform Availability
The title arrived in early access on September 7, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, alongside handheld optimization for the ROG Xbox Ally. Standard pricing is set. Players who pre-order gain access to the full game alongside the Boost’n’Slide Pack, which includes the Driftsta and Power Pipes vehicles.
Game Director Domenico Celenza explained in an interview with racinggames.gg that the team aimed to connect iconic orange tracks directly to the environment.
“At its core, Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush is a fast, fun arcade racer. But beyond the crazy races on those iconic orange tracks, we built a Hot Wheels-sized world packed with stuff to do and discover at your own pace in free roaming.”
Domenico Celenza, Game Director
Open-World Design Across Four Themed Islands
The game world is divided into four distinct islands. Each island is ruled by a Rush Master whom players must defeat in events to claim their car and title.
While developers designed the open maps to foster exploration, reviewers voiced varied opinions on the macro design. One reviewer noted that the islands feel a bit flat and uninspired, arguing that the open structure detracts from the tight, toy-scale charm of previous entries. Conversely, other critics praised the open environment as a welcoming playground, with Hardcore Gamer awarding the title 4.5/5 and calling it a veritable playground that knows exactly what it should offer and excels on all fronts.
Vehicle Roster, Classes, and the Ferrari Expansion
Vehicles can be acquired through events, secret dealerships, and open-world challenges, with a Rush Squad mechanic enabling users to switch between four selected cars on the fly.
Marking a series milestone, the vehicle roster introduces Ferrari models. The base game features a handful of Prancing Horse vehicles, including the 365 GTB4 Competizione and the SF90 Stradale hybrid supercar. Furthermore, a post-launch Ferrari Expansion will add eight historical models—spanning from the Dino 206 GT and 250 GTO to the F40 Competizione, F50, Testarossa, Enzo, LaFerrari, and 12Cilindri—alongside a dedicated, manufacturer-themed island named Isola Ferrari.
Critical Reception and Performance Metrics
Critical response reflects a divide between appreciation for core handling and skepticism toward open-world pacing. Cubed3 awarded the game 7/10, citing minor progression issues but praising its welcoming driving model. Meanwhile, COGConnected scored it 65/100, noting that the open-world shift makes shortcomings in activity density and drifting precision more noticeable.
“Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is a fast-paced arcade-style racer that makes the most of the Hot Wheels brand. It looks good and runs well, and its racing is easy for both younger and older players to pick up. There are plenty of hours of racing, challenges and collectibles to keep you busy, if you don’t mind some minor issues here and there that may become frustrating over time.”
Vooks, via Nintendo Life
On the technical side, reviewers highlighted reliable performance. Testing on console showed that the frame rate maintained its 60fps target consistently, despite occasional long load times and inconsistent background textures.
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