Hot Wheels , a licensed title based on Mattel's toy cars, attempts to recreate the fun of playing with toy cars. You start in a car showroom where you can choose from various model cars, design and build your own, or select a pre-made one. Once you're happy with your new car, it's time to head to the Paint Shop and pick a color before hitting the road.
As you drive through town, you control your car from the side at a slight elevated angle, moving it left or right along the road. To change direction, pull into an opening and reverse in the new direction. The town is divided into two parts, connected by an Expressway where you watch your car drive along the road. Each part of town has its own buildings, some of which can be driven into for mini games.
Some notable buildings include:
The Car Wash: You simply watch your car go through the various stages of a car wash.
The Gas Station: You control the mechanic and fill up your car with gas, checking the tyre pressures.
Tuning: Here you watch your car's engine being tuned.
Oil Change: Another mechanic is in charge here; you must move a drum below the car to catch oil drops without making a mess. Once the engine is empty, you can fill it up with oil.
Demolition Derby: View a square track from above as you drive around and attempt to smash other cars while avoiding being smashed yourself.
Firefighting: Pull into the fire station to drive a fire engine along the road looking for burning buildings. Park beside a fire hydrant, move the hose around to put out the flames, and try to do it before the building burns down.