Hot Wheels: Rift Rally is a new mixed reality racer from Mario Kart Live devs

Hit the orange track

Velan Studios is working on another mixed reality racing game. Hot Wheels: Rift Rally is a new racing game from the studio behind Mario Kart Live, centered on Mattel’s line of miniature cars.

Due out on March 14 for iOS and PlayStation, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally operates pretty similarly to Velan’s Mario Kart Live. Players can set up different gates around their real-world accommodations to create a track, then use the car and built-in camera to race around.

While it’s all controlled through the game, you’re also driving the car. So it’s a pretty solid way to both re-imagine your living room, and keep a high-energy cat occupied.

The big difference here is that while your car remains the same in the real world, in-game it can morph into different famous Hot Wheels cars. There are mini-games to compete in and stunts to perform, though some of the fun will also be in seeing what that little car can do. I’m not advocating for you to set up any sick jumps or dangerous thrill courses, it’s your money. But a childhood spent assembling orange track segments has me thinking about what kind of courses you could concoct for this RC car.

Rallying around the rift

There’s also a Campaign mode in Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, where different challenge maps and competitions await. Or in Stunt mode, players can drive around without those pesky gates, free to freestyle to their heart’s content.

It will run you a decent amount for the kit. The standard edition for Hot Wheels: Rift Rally will go for $129.99, while the Collectors Edition adds in a special-edition RC car, extra McLaren Hot Wheels car, and bonus unlockable car for $149.99.

Hot Wheels: Rift Rally races its way onto iOS, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on March 14, 2023.