From the moment the pups roll onto the dirt track in Rescue Wheels, the intent is clear: this is a bright, accessible arcade-racer built for younger gamers and families rather than hardcore competitors. The narrative here is minimal – a rally across familiar locales with the regular team of pups, plus newcomers like Roxi, Boomer and nemesis Mayor Humdinger gearing up to race alongside them – but that light storyline suits the tone and target audience just fine. The stronger focus is on the racing itself: drifting, monster-truck transformations, turbo boosts and signature pup abilities. It’s out for PCs and all major consoles, including the Switch (where it’s compatible with the Switch 2 as well).
The gameplay mechanics lean into simplicity while offering a few modest layers. Players choose a pup with a unique special move, hop into one of several vehicle types and take on twelve tracks plus three arena-style zones. Those mid-air stunts and boosts inject a momentary sense of flair. Local multiplayer and split-screen options allow siblings or friends to join in, making it a genuinely social experience at the console. Controls remain forgiving, and accessibility features – such as options for younger players – are a definite plus. One caveat: for more experienced racers the depth can feel shallow after a while; the loops, shortcuts and unlocks are tidy, but the progression doesn’t deliver many surprises beyond the basic framework.
Visually the game rides the familiar cartoonish wave of the franchise. Colours pop, characters and vehicles stay true to the blues-and-yellows of the brand, and the environments are engaging enough for younger players to recognise and enjoy. But there are trade-offs. The polish falls short of previous franchise outings in some respects – some textures and lighting feel a little flat, and the overall feeling is competent rather than spectacular. Performance also became an issue in multiplayer split-screen: frame-rate drops and occasional choppiness detracted from what should be a smooth experience in a title that doesn’t look like it would be too demanding. Luckily, a patch released post-launch seems to have improved things quite a bit.
On the audio side, the game does what it needs to without endeavouring to impress dramatically. The character voices and branded catch-phrases remain faithful to the origins of the franchise, engine rumbles and boost sounds add energy, and the soundtrack stays upbeat and appropriate to the young-friendly tone. It’s serviceable and appealing in context, though it won’t wow anyone looking for immersive audio design or complex musical themes.
Ultimately, PAW Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship delivers a fun, family-friendly racing outing that very much hits its target audience. Younger children will likely delight in the explosions of colour, the ease of input and the joy of racing as their favourite pups. Families looking for couch-based multiplayer will find a reliable pick. At the same time, older or more seasoned gamers may find the experience light on challenge and variety. For what it sets out to do – deliver a safe, cheerful, pick-up-and-play racer for fans of the brand – it largely succeeds, though it stops short of being a standout in the genre or a high-end showcase for the platform.
In short: Rescue Wheels may not reinvent the wheel, but it offers enough happy laps for young racers and their families to enjoy together. Mission accomplished for its niche, but not quite championship-worthy for everyone.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 