Hot Wheels (1985) was one of the first video game adaptations of the popular Mattel toy line, released for the Commodore 64 as part of Epyx’s “Computer Activity Toys” series. Rather than focusing on racing, the game mimics the open-ended play of actual Hot Wheels toys, giving players a small city to explore and interact with. Players start by selecting a pre-made vehicle or designing one in the factory, choosing from multiple car body styles. After customizing and painting the car, the player drives around a side-scrolling town, stopping at locations like a gas station, car wash, oil change, or tuning shop. Some buildings offer interactive mini-games—such as catching oil drips during a service, participating in a demolition derby, or putting out fires in a firetruck. The game had no score system and was non-competitive by design, aimed squarely at younger children. Its graphics were detailed for the time, and it emphasized imagination over challenge. Like Barbie, Hot Wheels reflected Epyx’s early attempts to create virtual extensions of popular physical toys using home computer software.

A really cute offering targeted at younger kids, it was a customization playhouse for your Hot Wheels.  As an entertaining on-ramp for young kids to get more comfortable with computers, it was a great title for the 1980s, but if you’re interested in a revival, you have to reach out to Mattel who owns the IP.