It feels like a lifetime ago when I reviewed Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure. They were simpler times filled with laughter, smiles, and the sweet, sweet soundtrack of a tropical vacation. Alas, since those shining days, I’ve neglected Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure, leaving it to the wayside where it collected dust. I handed in my “Biggest Fan” badge, and my head hung low in shame. But not anymore. It’s time to hand me back that badge because I’m back baby, and in a big way. Not just because I’ve gained weight (let’s not talk about that), but because Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure is back with a pretty sizeable Hot Wheels DLC. Is it the greatest thing since cherry flavoured Pepsi? It might just be.
“For fans of the base game, the DLC is going to feel fairly substantial”
I wasn’t the biggest Hot Wheels fan as a kid. I had some, although if you asked me to describe them in any amount of detail, I could probably muster a “one might have been orange?” before skulking off into the shadows. Going into the Beach Buggy Racing 2: Hot Wheels Booster Pack a Hot Wheels virgin was a little overwhelming, to say the least. I knew of the iconography, namely the big orange loop-de-loops, and that they’re beloved by fans everywhere. But aside from that, I was stumbling in the dark.
So it’s a good job that I’m madly in love with Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure. Likely, let’s be honest, to an unhealthy degree. The DLC expands the base game with four additional tracks and seven new cars. There’s also new missions and new Stunt Challenges added to every track in the game. For fans of the base game, it’s going to feel fairly substantial.
“The new Hot Wheels cars look pretty fantastic thanks to Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure’s wonderful visual style.”
One of my main complaints with Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure was, despite all its innovations, it recycled too many of the old maps. This new DLC rectifies that issue by implementing four brand-new ones, all of which are Hot Wheels themed. Fortunately, these new maps are brilliant, and a lot of fun to race on. They’re all packed with shortcuts, interesting level design, and a new layer of verticality, making them much more enjoyable. This brings the track total to 27 and makes the base game feel more complete.
The new vehicles available are great, with all of them sporting interesting and unique designs. I’m sure they’re all based on pre-existing Hot Wheel cars. But as someone with little to no knowledge of Hot Wheels, that’s not readily apparent. Regardless, they’re still incredibly enjoyable to race in, and all handle completely differently, which makes for fun experimentation. It’s also fun to see more creative vehicle designs racing around the tracks. It also helps that they look pretty fantastic, thanks to Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure’s wonderful visual style.
“If you’re looking to expand your Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure playtime then you should absolutely pick up the Hot Wheels Booster Pack.”
But is this worth £7.99/$9.99? Absolutely. If you’re a fan of Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure or looking to get into it, then this is 100% for you. Even taking away the additional missions and Stunt Challenges, the Hot Wheels Booster Pack would be worth it. But with those features, in conjunction with the new vehicles and tracks, Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure is expanded significantly.
Would I like to see more tracks? Sure. But for what I’d consider a reasonably low price for DLC, you’re already getting a ton. It’s the equivalent to the Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC, only I’d say bigger and better in every way. If you’re looking to expand your Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure playtime or to inject some new life into it, then you should absolutely pick up the Hot Wheels Booster Pack.
*Disclaimer: Reviewed on PS4. The publisher provided the code.
