REVIEW: Racer Overdrive (2026 Video Game) - A Flashy Throwback That Needs Fine-Tuning

Review by Jon Donnis

Racer Overdrive, the upcoming 2026 arcade racer from IntActive, is a game that wears its influences on its sleeve. It's loud, brash and packed with enough colour and chaos to keep adrenaline junkies glued to the screen. Beneath the noise, though, it's a familiar experience that struggles to balance its nostalgic energy with modern polish.

The premise is pure arcade fantasy. You start as a rookie desperate to prove yourself, climbing the ranks of a global racing tournament that hops between Japan, China, America, Europe and Africa. There's a storyline too, which is rare for this kind of game. It adds a layer of intrigue with talk of rogue AIs, mysterious conspiracies and cyber-races that take you beyond traditional circuits. It's over-the-top but enjoyable, giving the endless tournaments a clearer sense of purpose.

Where Racer Overdrive shines is in its sense of speed. The drift system, once mastered, can deliver some genuinely satisfying moments. Pulling off a clean corner before blasting past rivals with a nitro boost feels great, and the catch-up system means races never feel decided too early. Even when you're behind, the game gives you just enough power to keep hope alive. The variety of modes also helps. Standard races, eliminations, and duels keep the pace fresh, while quirky side missions, like assisting police chases or starring in a sci-fi movie, add personality.

The problem is that everything looks and feels dated. Visually, it's more 2010 than 2026. Lighting effects and particle bursts do their best to liven things up, but most environments look flat and lack detail. For a game built around spectacle, it needs sharper edges and more style. The controls also leave something to be desired. There's almost no point braking during corners, as the drift mechanic dominates everything. Unfortunately, it's far too sensitive, turning every bend into a gamble. That lack of control can quickly sap the fun, especially for players who prefer precision over chaos.

Despite its flaws, Racer Overdrive has heart. It's rough, sure, but there's promise beneath the surface. The developers have shown they're open to feedback, and with a little refinement, it could evolve into a solid budget racer. At £9.99, it doesn't need to reinvent the wheel, but it does need a smoother ride before launch.

Racer Overdrive is fast, flashy and full of potential. It just needs a bit more grip on the corners.

Wishlist now

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3756020/Racer_Overdrive/

REVIEW: Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition (2025 Video Game) - For Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition delivers exactly what its name promises. This is the arcade experience brought straight into your living room, full of high-speed racing, over-the-top stunts, and explosions that make no sense in the real world. GameMill Entertainment has kept it simple and focused, which is both the game's biggest strength and its main limitation.

From the moment you start, it is clear this is a pick-up-and-play experience. There is no long tutorial, no narrative distractions, no slow grind through car tiers. You choose a vehicle, step on the accelerator, and race through cinematic tracks packed with shortcuts, hazards, and the occasional missile strike. It captures the thrill of arcade racing perfectly.

The positives are immediate. The full arcade version is faithfully ported to Xbox. If you have played the original, you will recognise every element of its fast, frantic style. Eight licensed cars, including the Dodge Charger and Shelby GT500, handle well enough to feel satisfying while still prioritising fun over realism. Split-screen multiplayer brings a nostalgic competitive edge, allowing two players to race side by side in the same room.

However, the simplicity also exposes its flaws. With only eight cars and six tracks, there is little variety. Everything is unlocked from the start, which delivers instant gratification but removes the sense of achievement that unlocks usually provide. The handling is exaggerated and sometimes absurd, which will delight fans of arcade chaos but frustrate anyone looking for a more precise driving experience.

The game also lacks additional modes or online play, meaning it does not offer much longevity beyond the initial thrill. The bonus objectives are fun for a short time but do not significantly extend gameplay.

Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition is a game that works or fails entirely based on expectations. If you want a deep, realistic racing simulator, it is not for you. If you are after a straightforward, high-octane arcade rush that can be enjoyed in short bursts, it is an excellent choice.

Having enjoyed the arcade original, I found this console version captures the same immediate fun. It is loud, fast, and shallow, but deliberately so, and that is part of its charm. I score Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition a solid 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Consoles

https://amzn.to/4hukvkT

REVIEW: Hot Rod Mayhem (2025 Video Game)

Review by Jon Donnis

Hot Rod Mayhem from Casual Brothers Ltd. brings lively racing action to Xbox, offering a colourful and lighthearted experience that is easy to jump into. It is a fun title aimed mainly at younger players or those looking for a laid-back racing game.

The game lets players race against tiny troublemakers across dozens of imaginative courses. Two modes are available, Racing and Campaign, each providing plenty of opportunities for chaotic fun. Campaign Mode stands out by challenging players to unlock and complete 10 unique championships, each beginning with a distinctive trial before moving on to full races.

Customization is a key feature, allowing players to pick helmets, outfits, faces, and colors to build an outrageous racing character. Vehicle choice is another highlight, with 15 different hot rods, such as the Blazing Bullet and Crimson Cruiser, each offering unique stats to suit different playstyles.

Races are spiced up with various collectible weapons, including Homing Darts to target leaders, Marbles to disrupt nearby racers, and sneaky Discs that slow down opponents. Defensive tools like the Shield and speed boosts add an extra layer of strategy. Special trial events also bring variety, featuring hoop jumps, electric orb dodges, and high-speed sprints that test both skill and creativity.

The track design in Hot Rod Mayhem is vibrant and playful, with settings like Snow Summit, Cyber City, and Mariachi Mile. Each course can be played in forward, mirrored, reversed, and twisted versions, keeping the action fresh and unpredictable. A nice visual touch is the miniature scale of the racing world, where everyday human environments seem enormous from the driver's tiny perspective.

In terms of presentation, the graphics are bright and detailed, and the controls feel natural and responsive, making the vehicles fun to handle. However, despite these positives, the gameplay pace sometimes feels a little slow, especially for players familiar with faster arcade racers. Additionally, the weapons and race structure, while enjoyable, do not bring much innovation to the genre. Inevitably, comparisons to bigger names like Mario Kart will arise, and Hot Rod Mayhem struggles to match that level of excitement and polish.

Despite its shortcomings, Hot Rod Mayhem succeeds as a colourful, easygoing racer suitable for a younger audience. It may not offer much challenge to experienced gamers, but it provides enough variety and charm to keep players entertained for a good while.

Score: 7 out of 10

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/hot-rod-mayhem/9p5twzn4g3fb