Wreckfest is an arcade action racing game developed by Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic, available on Steam, Origin, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Apple Store, Google Play & Galaxy Store.

The game is rated T in United States, 12+ in Europe, and PG in Australia.

Release Dates[]

Platform	Release Date
Steam Greenlight	6th September 2013
Steam (Early Access)	4th January 2014
Steam, Origin & GOG	14th June 2018
PlayStation 4 & Xbox One	27th August 2019
PlayStation 5	4th May 2021
Xbox Series S & Xbox Series X	1st June 2021
Google Stadia	1st December 2021
Nintendo Switch	21st June 2022
Apple Store, Galaxy Store & Google Play	15th November 2022

Description[]

Break the rules and take full-contact racing to the limit with Wreckfest!
Expect epic crashes, neck-to-neck fights over the finish line and brand-new ways for metal to bend – These are the once-in-a-lifetime moments that can only be achieved in Wreckfest, with its true-to-life physics simulation crafted by legendary developer Bugbear, who also brought you FlatOut 1 & 2!
Burn rubber and shred metal in the ultimate driving playground!
Wreckfest is jam-packed with upgrade and customization options. Whether you are preparing for your next demolition derby with reinforced bumpers, roll cages, side protectors and much more, or setting your car up for a banger race with engine performance parts like air filters, camshafts, fuel systems, etc., Wreckfest is shaping up to be the best combative motorsport game out there.
Drive hard. Die last.

– store description

Features[]

Development[]

Development of Wreckfest began in 2012 under the name Next Car Game. The game was first announced on 30th August 2013, and launched a Kickstarter campaign on 1st November 2013, with a goal of $350,000 to complete the game, and $1,500,000 to create console versions of the game.

Next_Car_Game_introduction — Next Car Game introduction

Kickstarter game introduction

The campaign was cancelled on 22th November, after it was clear that the game wouldn't reach it's funding goal, having only raised $81,772.

After the failed Kickstarter campaign BugBear concentrated efforts on their pre-order campaign via pre-order on the Next Car Game website. Those who pre-ordered received a Technology Sneak Peek, a playground used by developers to test their engine.

Following a positive response from players on 5th December 2013 BugBear released an extended version, Technology Sneak Peek 2.0, and released the Technology Sneak Peek for free.

Sneak Peek Trailer

Sneak Peek 2.0 Trailer

Early access[]

Following the success of the Sneak Peek early access on Steam was started shortly before Christmas 2013. It included three maps - Stadium, Tarmac & Gravel, and two vehicles, American & European.

This release was very successful and raised the game over $350,000.

To be honest, the success of the Early Access release caught us by a surprise. Just before the holidays, we released the first playable build to our pre-order customers, and by the end of the Christmas week the title had already sold for more than our initial funding goal on Kickstarter.

– Janne Suur-Näkki

The game was subsequently released on Steam Early Access on 15th January 2014, earning over $1 million in sales in a single week.

Name[]

On October 3, 2014 the game was officially renamed from Next Car Game to Wreckfest, coming from the phrase "wreck fest".

As Wreckfest is all about the madness of colliding cars at breakneck speeds, a term describing the glory of tearing metal is nothing if not apt.

– Jori Virtanen

Release[]

The game finally left early access and got released on 14th June 2018 on Steam and Origin, on 27th August 2019 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Players who pre-ordered the game on either of the consoles received a bonus car named Bandit Ripper V8.