Developer: Southpeak Games
Genre: Racing
Release Date: 2009
Number of Players: 1-4
Platforms: XBOX 360 (Live Arcade)

I just want to say, that this is probably one of the coolest, most fun racing games to ever play, either as a console game or a Arcade game. It gives you the feeling that you're racing with remote controlled cars, and you can race inside and outside the environments. The game was published by Southpeak Games and developed by Load Inc. Load Inc was also the team behind Mad Tracks, a game very similar to ToW and was probably the first step to making this game.

Single Player in the game consists of twenty different levels throughout those real world scenes. You will have to place first in each race to advance to the next venue. While racing these tracks keep on the lookout for things to get in your way such as, books, bricks, and even curling stones when race outdoors. These obstacles are used to slow you down, but not near as much as the power ups that the enemy races can use against you.

Power ups, a well known tool in arcade style racers are also used in this game. There are four different power ups included in the game, The Snowflake, Lightning bolt, Boost, and shield. Snowflake will freeze the wheels of your enemies and make the slow, where as the boost will speed up your car. You can also use the lightning power up to short out your enemies cars and slow them down almost to a stop, or use your shield to counter act power ups used against you or to push objects away from you.

Car classes give you a good variety of different cars to use for many different situations. Twelve different cars are included in the full game, all have their own characteristics for speed, and acceleration and such. Picking a bigger car will make it harder for your opponents to knock you out of the way, but will also make you a little slower than others. While picking a smaller, lighter car will make you faster but will also make you more prone to being knocked around. There are four cars in each class which include, sport, muscle, and vintage.

My opinion is that Multi player is a must have in racing games, it lets you test your skills against your friends in split screen or against anyone in the world via online. Things on Wheels includes both of these with up to four players. You can compete in regular races, an elimination game type, timed races, and team races. These game types are fun in split screen but they really shine over xbox live with your friends.

All in all, if you are a fan of their old game Mad Tracks this is one to keep on your radar. Single player will keep you occupied working for that number one spot. If that isn’t your cup of tea then you can battle those three other people on multi player for bragging rights. Like other arcade racers before it, Things on Wheels uses power ups, crazy tracks, and specialized cars to keep people coming back to play it. I would definitely recommend this game for a family game night or something similar, as the controls are easy and the environments are so fun to race in.

Pros: Variety of cars, Long championship mode, split screen
Cons: Very similar to Mad Tracks
Grade: B