TL;DR
Hot Wheels is back, not as a physical toy, but as a surprisingly fun and imaginative DLC for Forza Horizon 3! This expansion transports you to a wild new island filled with insane loops, corkscrews, and even mechanical dinosaurs, offering a fresh playground separate from the main game. While it echoes the glory days of analog Hot Wheels, this digital version brings roaring engines and tire-burning speed to a new generation. Grab it if you want to relive some childhood nostalgia with a modern racing twist! Curious how it stacks up? Read on for the full dive!
For those born in the 90s or later, the significance of Hot Wheels from Mattel might be less pronounced. However, for those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, these wind-up toy cars, heavily promoted during Saturday morning cartoon blocks on channels like Sky Channel with series like G.I. Joe and Transformers, hold a special place. Thirty years ago, Hot Wheels represented a collection of fast and comparatively expensive analog cars (and tracks), requiring a financial commitment exceeding the average child’s allowance. While Hot Wheels might seem somewhat relegated to nostalgia today (despite continued availability from retailers like BR and Mattel, with Barbie remaining a dominant toy), the release of Hot Wheels as a DLC for the acclaimed Forza Horizon 3 presents an appealing prospect for parents who have transitioned to digital gaming.
Similar to the previous Blizzard Mountain DLC, Hot Wheels introduces a completely separate environment – an island – accessible from the base game. Players can immediately compete and earn trophies, irrespective of their progress in Forza Horizon 3. The expansion showcases imaginative design, incorporating elements such as elaborate loops, corkscrews, turbo-boost pads, and even mechanical dinosaurs. The influence of Trackmania Turbo is evident, although it doesn’t quite reach the same level of arcade-style intensity as Ubisoft’s title.
As expected, players can acquire new vehicles, discover classic cars in abandoned barns (including those on the island), and unlock three exclusive Hot Wheels cars. These vehicles, while perhaps less refined than the Italian and German models, offer considerable speed and, as depicted in the commercials, exhibit tire combustion at high velocities.
Confirmed: Mechanical dinosaurs are present.
The Forza Expansion Pass, priced at SEK 349 (or available for purchase now), includes both Blizzard Mountain (focused on snow and ice) and Hot Wheels. Alternatively, Hot Wheels can be purchased separately for SEK 199. This price point is reasonable, although a slight reduction might be justified considering the prerequisite ownership of Forza Horizon 3. Overall, we enjoyed the expansion and experienced a renewed interest in Microsoft’s racing title, which continues to provide significant entertainment value, despite our enduring fondness for Forza Horizon 2.
