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With the release of Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush just around the corner, Game Director Domenico Celenza sat down with us to detail the franchise's most ambitious leap yet. The game, set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch later this year, trades the traditional indoor circuits for a sprawling open-world playground spanning four distinct islands. In this interview, Celenza explains the design philosophy behind the shift, the four vehicle classes, and how the Track Builder has evolved to embrace uneven terrain.
From Track to World
The decision to move from confined indoor environments to massive open maps wasn't taken lightly. Celenza describes it as "the most natural next step" for a brand built on imagination and scale. The orange tracks that define the Hot Wheels experience now weave directly into the environment, letting players seamlessly drive off the track and explore. This eliminates the menu-driven race-to-race flow, replacing it with organic discovery of challenges, stunts, and secrets as you roam. "It fundamentally changes how you interact with the game," Celenza says.
The Four Islands
Each island draws inspiration from classic Mattel playsets and Hot Wheels themes. Wheelswood offers an urban cityscape; Tentacle Bay features natural landscapes; Gearville is a heavy industrial canyon; and Drifty Temples channels neon-lit, Eastern-inspired architecture. The variety ensures that no two races feel the same, and the open world encourages players to pick their own path.
Competition and Exploration
Celenza divides the gameplay into two pillars: competition and exploration. The competitive side forms the core progression, with events and game modes unlocked as you advance. Exploration fills the gaps—free roaming to hunt secrets, collectibles, or just enjoy the scenery. To avoid map clutter, activities are unlocked dynamically as you progress through new event sets, introducing side content naturally without overwhelming players.
Four Distinct Car Classes
The game reduces the number of vehicle classes to four, each designed to feel genuinely distinct. Drifters excel at drifting and build boost while sliding, but struggle with top speed. Speeders are built for pure speed, boosting as they accelerate, but lose momentum in corners. Titans are heavyweights with massive boost capacity, requiring careful management to avoid overcharging. Versatiles offer a balanced mix with a charge-based boost system. Celenza notes that the four classes parallel the four islands and their Rush Masters (boss drivers).
Seamless Vehicle Swapping
Swapping vehicles in the open world was a natural evolution of the core vision. "We wanted to give players full freedom to explore the world on their own terms and seamlessly experiment with the distinct characteristics of each vehicle class whenever they want," Celenza explains. Technically, implementation wasn't a major hurdle.
Authenticity Through Imperfections
To faithfully recreate Mattel's die-cast cars, the team works closely with Mattel, using official CAD files, scans, and photographs of the physical toys. They even include real-world quirks like die-cast mold lines and tiny indentations, giving each digital car a genuine physical feel collectors will recognize.
Track Builder Goes Open World
Designing tracks for an open setting completely changed the approach. Tracks are no longer self-contained circuits; they are seamless hybrids of orange plastic sections blending into the natural environment, off-road terrain, and elevation changes. The adaptive snapping system and new terrain-conforming tool allow players to build tracks that snake across hills, valleys, and even water. The upgraded Track Builder now accounts for uneven terrain, making it possible to create courses that feel organically integrated into the world.
Physics and Handling
Each class has its own physics profile. Celenza emphasizes that the differentiation goes beyond stats—it’s about how the car feels and behaves. Drifters are responsive through corners, Speeders reward straight-line speed, Titans require boost discipline, and Versatiles adapt to any situation. Tracks are locked to a specific class during vehicle selection, allowing designers to tailor layouts, jumps, and turns to each class's strengths.
Industry Context
The shift to open-world aligns with broader trends in arcade racing, notably the success of series like Forza Horizon. By focusing on four distinct classes and a handcrafted world, Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush aims to offer a fresh take that balances accessibility with depth. The game also includes split-screen multiplayer for up to four players, a feature that brings back the couch co-op experience many fans have missed.
What's Next
Celenza hints that the team is already planning post-launch support, but details remain under wraps. For now, fans can look forward to a game that captures the joy of playing with Hot Wheels toys in a massive, living world. As Celenza puts it, "We wanted the environments to feel like a true Hot Wheels universe, maintaining that distinct look and aesthetic scale in every detail."
Note: This article was updated on September 7, 2026, based on the latest interview with the game director.
