The nostalgia factor is strong with this game drop. It has to be roughly twenty years since I last thought about Hot Wheels, but seeing a new game release on PC, and other consoles, has got my inner 90s kid hyped.
I used to love watching those epic, tiny cars zoom across that iconic, orange track. Did I grow up wanting a car with go-faster flames? Yes, yes I did. Whilst the car I drive lacks flaming motifs, I can now at least zip around elaborate races thanks to Hot Wheels: UNLEASHED.
Unleash Extreme Driving
Hot Wheels: UNLEASHED sees you racing across those orange tracks, in the most beautifully detailed playgrounds. On release, there are six environments to explore, with the promise of more to come. If six doesn’t sound like much, each track is absolutely massive and intricately loops around the different environments. From a garage with giant spiders to an entire skyscraper, you will have immersive and thrilling tracks to conquer. There is multiplayer gameplay too, with crossplay support.
Plus, you can build your own racetracks. Start with a simple piece then bend, twist, and stretch it to make completely custom and unique environments. Jumps, loops, and over 20 interactive modules can be added to your track to bring a splash of chaos. Once you are happy with your masterpiece, you can share it for other Hot Wheel fans to enjoy.
Even better, you can also completely customise your Hot Wheels car and make the toy you always dreamed of having using the Livery Editor. Whether you opt for a sporty car, real-life miniature, or a replica from your favourite film, you can make a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. I’ll take one DeLorean in neon orange, please.
Check out this trailer and join me in feeling super excited.
Perfect Your Own Environment
Naturally, you are going to make sure your computer is up to the task of running this game. Those extensive tracks are going to take some serious processing power! Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for running Hot Wheels: UNLEASHED.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 64-bit | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K AMD FX-6350 | Intel Core i7-5820K AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD RX 580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 22GB available space | 22GB available space |
| Sound Card | DirectX compatible | DirectX compatible |
Still, there is more to your environment than your gaming PC. I’ll grant you, it’s a pretty important part. But what if you could zoom full speed around these incredible tracks with a highly responsive racing wheel in the sublime comfort of a gaming chair? Today I am going to take you through some combos of racing wheels from Thrustmaster with gaming chairs from noblechairs and Nitro Concepts.
Plush Comfort and Responsive Feedback
Our first pairing is the Thrustmaster T300 RS Racing Wheel with the noblechairs TX Series. The TX300 pairing, if you will. With this, you are matching a premium, fabric chair with a force feedback wheel that includes a pedal set. Can you already feel it? For this combo, you definitely need to be driving a Hot Wheels Rocket Fire.
Thrustmaster T300 RS Racing Wheel
- 270-to-1080-degree rotational angle
- Internal memory
- Realistic 11” racing wheel
- Fully adjustable metal pedals included
- Force feedback and progressive resistance
The Thrustmaster T300 RS Racing Wheels is equipped with a genuine, brushless servo motor for smooth, frictionless action. Its H.E.A.R.T.* magnetic sensor provides a 16-bit resolution, meaning there are 65,536 values across the wheel’s 270 to 1080-degree rotation. Armed with action buttons, you have full control of your game within easy reach. Plus, the included metal pedal set Is fully adjustable and features progressive resistance for more realistic feedback.
*Hall Effect AccuRate Technology
noblechairs TX Series
- Breathable, reinforced fabric upholstery
- Adjustable 4D armrests
- Highly durable stainless steel frame
- Adjustable ergonomics and full lumbar support
- 5-point aluminium base with 60mm casters
Whether you go EPIC, ICON, or HERO, the noblechairs TX Series is chock full of premium features designed to maximise your comfort. The fabric upholstery is soft and reinforced, yet highly breathable. Combined with the cold foam padding and you are in for a world of comfort. Naturally, the TX Series is equipped with all the noblechairs features we love about their gaming chairs, like the full lumbar support, 4D armrests, and rocking mechanism.
The T300 RS wheel was designed to help improve gaming skills with realistic feedback and responsive performance. The TX series was designed to supply all the noblechairs comfort we know and love, with a new, breathable fabric upholstery. As such, when you put the two together, you’ll enjoy full lumbar support whilst meandering the twisty racetracks with amazing control. Both the gaming chair and pedal set are fully adjustable, meaning you can configure them to suit your exact specification. Whether you have long legs and a preference to lean back or, like me, have little legs and must sit as close to the screen as possible, you are catered for.
With this set-up, your Hot Wheels car will simply fly across the track.
Uber Luxury
This next combination could not be more luxurious if it tried. With the Thrustmaster T150 Ferrari Wheel and the noblechairs HERO Real Leather Gaming Chair, in the matching red and black, of course, you may as well be driving a Ferrari. All you need to do is pick out the sportiest Hot Wheel, may I recommend the Exotique, and customise it to fit the deluxe aesthetic.
Thrustmaster T150 Ferrari Racing Wheel
- Immersion TouchSense Technology
- 270-to-1080-degree rotational angle
- Incredibly quiet belt-pulley and gear system
- 12-bit resolution with 4,096 values
- Realistic Ferrari wheel and pedal set
Incredibly precise and featuring Immersion TouchSense technology, the Thrustmaster T150 Ferrari is a great wheel to add to your set-up, especially if you also want to use it for VR gaming. With its deluxe Ferrari aesthetic and premium construction, it operates on a belt-pulley and gear system for fluid action, which has the cheeky bonus of being quieter than helical gear systems. It’s all about the road – or orange track – with this wheel and pedal set.
noblechairs HERO Real Leather Gaming Chair
- Black, real leather upholstery with red stitching
- 5-point base with 60mm casters
- Included memory foam pillow set
- Large surface area for max comfort
- Adjustable ergonomics and full lumbar support
Combining premium ergonomics with absolute luxury, the noblechairs HERO Real Leather Gaming Chair is the pinnacle of deluxe gaming. Naturally, this gaming chair bears all the features we know from the HERO model, such as first-class adjustability, precise workmanship, and a highly durable frame. The leather upholstery adds a touch of class to this incredible chair. As a result, you can enjoy the height of luxury whilst you sit.
With this pairing, you have two deluxe products which not only have a matching colour scheme but have an enhanced level of opulence. With 13 action buttons on the T150 Ferrari, you have amazing control at your fingertips. Plus, the HERO is the largest in the noblechairs range, proving you a wonderful platform for long gaming sessions. Those intricate racetracks are going to take some time to build! With this gaming chair’s full lumbar support and this responsive wheel, you can create and race for hours at a time.
Esports Champion
Up next, we have our final selection with noblechairs: the EPIC – Endpoint Edition and Thrustmaster T150 RS. Once again sporting matching colour schemes, this pairing is going to have you performing like one of the biggest UK esports teams! Perhaps a Hot Wheels Mini Cooper, naturally in blue, is needed for this combo.
Thrustmaster T150 RS Black and Blue Racing Wheel
- 11” realistic racing wheel with blue highlights
- Official embedded software for customising
- Pedal set with progressive resistance
- 12-bit resolution with 4,096 values
- Tactile switches with over 500,000 press lifespan
The Thrustmaster T150 RS Racing Wheel is fully equipped with everything you need for smooth driving. This comprehensive driving gear means you can enjoy precise tracking thanks to the 12-bit resolution and Immersion TouchSense technology. With force feedback on the wheel and progressive resistance on the pedals, you are getting a realistic experience every time you sit in the driver’s seat.
noblechairs EPIC Gaming Chair – Endpoint Editon
- EPIC with Endpoint memory foam pillow
- Stylish blue stitching and highlights on black backdrop
- Deform resistant, dense cold foam padding
- 100% vegan, PU Leather upholstery
- Adjustable ergonomics and full lumbar support
Sat in the noblechairs EPIC Gaming Chair – Endpoint Edition, you will be cushioned by dense, cold foam padding and PU leather. Both high-quality materials, they surround an incredibly durable, stainless-steel frame. With its powder-coated, five-point base, this gaming chair works perfectly on soft or hard flooring thanks to the nylon-core, polyurethane-coated casters. If only Hot Wheels had those!
Not only will sitting in the Endpoint Chair have you feeling like one of the team, but equipping yourself with the T150 RS will have you performing to their standard, too. What’s more, the memory foam head pillow will keep you supported and comfortable whilst you customise your Hot Wheels to perfection. Plus, the black and blue aesthetic is super stylish and easy to extend with any RGB lighting in your set-up.
Viva Ferrari
Rolling in for the first of our Nitro Concepts combos, we have the X1000 Gaming Chair with the Thrustmaster TX Ferrari F458 Racing Wheel. Both utterly sleek in black and white – though the X1000 comes in a complete rainbow of colours – this match-up will have you accurately navigating elaborate racetracks with zero latency and maximum comfort. Therefore, it has to be the Batmobile with this combo.
Thrustmaster TX Ferrari F458 Racing Wheel
- Ultra-precise H.E.A.R.T. sensor
- 900-degree force feedback servo motor
- Detachable wheel for flexible configurations
- Includes metal pedal set
- FOC algorithm for amazing performance
Arming your virtual Hot Wheels Car with the Thrustmaster TX Ferrari F458 Racing Wheel is a great move. This wheel is equipped with a brushless industrial motor, H.E.A.R.T. magnetic sensor, and the FOC* algorithm. All three combine to make a highly durable, responsive, and accurate device that has a smooth action with a great force feedback torque. You will think you are driving a real Ferrari with this. Plus, if you have a number of wheels and like this base best, the wheel is detachable, and you can swap out different wheels for all the racing sims you play.
*Field Orientated Control
Nitro Concepts X1000 Ergonomic Gaming Chair
- Adjustable backrest up to 125-degrees
- Stylish angular design available in different colours
- DIN EN 1335 office certified
- Breathable fabric upholstery with cold foam padding
- Precise German engineering
The Nitro Concepts X1000 Gaming Chair offers great comfort features in a sleek, racing seat package. With its extended wings, you will be fully supported and feel like you are actually behind the wheel of your chosen car. Its dense, cold foam padding won’t leave you overheating, and the PU leather upholstery is equally breathable. Plus, the fully adjustable ergonomics mean you can configure this chair to support your exact comfort needs. Can the Batmobile do that?!
As well as looking absolutely fiiine together, the TX Ferrari F458 and X1000 are both powerhouses when it comes to performance. The TX Ferrari F458 is an ultra-quiet system with fluid and smooth action, whilst the X1000 contours to your every comfort need. Although it has been primed for the Xbox, the Thrustmaster wheel is compatible with your PC – thanks to drivers available on their website. Plus, it goes without saying that the Nitro Concepts X1000 has been precisely engineered to provide peak comfort whilst at your desk.
Levelling Up
Perhaps you already have a Thrustmaster racing wheel? Perhaps you have an office chair that is past its best? Perhaps you need an add-on wheel and a new chair? If so, then I recommend the combination of the Thrustmaster Sparco R383 Rally Wheel and Nitro Concepts S300. If you are upgrading your existing set-up, then you’re going to want the most modded car in the Hot Wheels line-up. The Motosaurus. Who needs go-faster stripes when you can have dinosaur spines?!
Thrustmaster Sparco R383 Rally Wheel Add-On
- 1:1 replica of Sparco R383 Rally wheel
- Compatible with many Thrustmaster bases
- Wheel mounted sequential paddles
- Adjustable rotation between 270 and 900-degrees
- Mixed pulley system
As a 1:1 replica of a real steering wheel, you know the Thrustmaster Sparco R383 Rally Wheel is going to deliver high performance, in addition to optimised features. Easily navigate through gears using the sequential paddles, mounted directly onto the wheel, while enjoying ultimate control thanks to the array of action buttons. Although it does not come with its own base, installing this wheel into your existing systems is a breeze. Plus, its quick-release system allows you to couple with Thrustmaster units with ease.
Nitro Concepts S300 Ergonomic Gaming Chair
- Available in a range of vibrant colours
- 7cm adjustments on 3D armrests
- Customisable backrest and rocker
- Breathable fabric upholstery and cold foam padding
- Two cushions included for posture support
Available in a whole range of intense colours, the Nitro Concepts S300 not only upgrades your comfort set-up but also your aesthetic. The model I have selected is Horizon Orange, but others include Nebula Purple and Urban Camo. Utilising a breathable fabric paired with cold foam padding, this gaming chair is incredibly comfortable – no matter how warm it is. Set your central heating to tropical and enjoy! Plus, with individually adjustable ergonomics, you will be able to sit back and relax in this chair. Or, game in comfort whilst you work on besting your track PB.
What makes these two products work so well together is the feeling of levelling up. You’re not just using a racing wheel; you’re using a replica of a well-known, high-grip wheel. You’re not just sitting at your desk; you’re getting full lumbar support from extensive adjustment options and the included pillow set. As a result, this combo will really level up your gaming environment, and you should make a racetrack to reflect that. Make a multi-tiered, tightly twisting adventure and show off your skills!
Race On!
Of course, you can make your own racing wheel/chair combos – we’d be interested to see what pairings you use. Plus, we can’t wait to see what tracks you guys make on Hot Wheels: UNLEASHED, be sure to screen-grab and share to @OverclockersUK with your chair and wheel set-up! Meanwhile, I’ll be over here plotting my racecourse.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 14 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK for two years, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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