Wreckfest 2 – Latest News And Full Release Date

Wreckfest 2’s demolition derby carnage returns, with Early Access offering an initial teaser of what’s to come over the coming months.

TL;DR

Release Dates

• PC Early Access was released on March 20, 2025
• Full release (including PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions) expected before March 31, 2026

Available At InitialEarly Access Launch

• Four cars
• Four tracks
• Three core modes: Racing, Derby, and Multiplayer
• High-speed circuits and obstacle-filled courses
• Rebuilt ROMU physics engine
• Enhanced crash and damage simulation
• Significant audio improvements

Coming During Early Access

• Revamped career mode
• Skill-based matchmaking
• Server queues
• Tournament mode
• Special vehicle challenges with unconventional vehicles
• Steam Workshop mod support
• Additional vehicles and customization options
• Split-screen multiplayer

On February 4, 2025, THQ Nordic and Bugbear Entertainment announced that Wreckfest 2 will launch on Steam Early Access on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

The sequel aims to demolish expectations and build upon the success of its predecessor, and here’s everything you need to know about Early Access, and what’s coming next.

Wreckfest 2 Release Date

Wreckfest 2 is now available on Steam Early Access.

Embracer Group, the parent company of THQ Nordic (Wreckfest 2’s publisher), confirmed the full release of Wreckfest 2 is expected before March 31, 2026.

If so, the Early Access period will last a year, significantly shorter than the four years with the original Wreckfest.

Which Platforms Are Supported?

After the PC Early Access period, the full release of Wreckfest 2 is expected to launch simultaneously across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S sometime before March 31, 2026.

This means that console players won’t have to wait for a separate release after the Early Access period, as all platforms will receive the full game at the same time.

The next-gen focus remains, and there are currently no plans for previous-generation consoles.

While the original Wreckfest eventually expanded to a wide range of platforms, including mobiles and Nintendo Switch, there are no hints for the sequel yet.

Considering the success of the original Wreckfest on the Switch, we feel there’s a good chance Wreckfest 2 will eventually be released on the Nintendo Switch 2.

What’s On Offer During Early Access?

The initial price for Wreckfest 2 Early Access is £24.99/€29.99/$29.99. Early adopters receive a 20% discount for the first two weeks, which ends on April 3. The price will incrementally increase throughout the Early Access period.

Early Access Cars (Day One)

• Roadslayer – ’60s/’70s American muscle car
• Rocket – ’60s/’70s American muscle car
• Ginger – ’80s European compact banger car (resembling a Volkswagen Golf)
• Striker – ’90s US banger car (resembling a Chevy Cavalier)

Two more cars are expected to arrive in the next two months.

Early Access Tracks & Locations (Day One)

• Scrapyard – Main Route (Circuit with intersections) and Bonebreaker (Oncoming traffic) layouts
• Speedway – Oval and Figure 8 circuits, Derby Arena
• Savolax Sandpit – Main Circuit and Reverse layouts (remake from the original game)
• Testing Grounds – Single-player sandbox with ramps

Two additional tracks are also expected to arrive within the next two months.

Early Access Game Modes (Day One)

• Single-player racing & derby modes with up to 23 AI players
  • Quick Race
  • Create Event

• Multiplayer racing & derby with up to 24 players (and AI support)
  • Find Match
  • Server Browser

To round out the initial features, there’s basic paint customization (with more coming later), a garage for saving your designs, leaderboards, and a first version of replay mode with photo capabilities.

As you can see, it’s not exactly bursting at the seams regarding content, but they’ve promised to start rolling out more shortly.

What To Expect From The Final Version

Although the initial Early Access content isn’t too generous, plenty more should arrive before the full release, expected around March 2026.

If the new additions to the game are as epic as the team is making out, it could become one of the most highly-anticipated racing games despite quite a few on the horizon right now.

Overhauled Physics & Gameplay

The big news for Wreckfest 2 is the completely rebuilt physics simulation engine. Bugbear said they’re taking “full advantage of modern hardware” to deliver the ultimate destruction engine.

The ROMU engine improves the crashes and provides more intricate damage simulation, making collisions more impactful and satisfying than the original.

Although drifting was possible in the original, it sometimes felt slightly restricted and unnatural, even with the fully locked differential.

The upgraded benefits improve the sideways action, making it ideal for drifting fans looking for realistic crash simulations. Although CarX Drift Racing 3 is the best drift-focused game for crash physics, the crashes in Wreckfest 2 are next level.

Revamped Game Modes

The initial Early Access launch includes three core modes: Racing, Derby, and Multiplayer, supporting up to 24 players.

During Early Access, Bugbear will gradually introduce the “reimagined career mode” that supports various styles, catering to destruction derby diehards and those who prefer more traditional racing experiences.

We hope to see an improved career mode that captures the depth and progression of the FlatOut series.

While you were able to create your drift-focus races in the original, it’ll be incredible if they pull it out of the bag with a specific drift mode this time around. There’s still no word, but it doesn’t stop us from remaining hopeful for now!

With the incredible damage simulation, variety of surfaces, and general challenges that come with the game, there’s a real gap in the market that CarX Drift Racing 3 is trying to fill right now with realistic damage.

It’ll be awesome to see Wreckfest 2 compete and potentially provide “destruction drifting” to a more mainstream audience.

Online play will receive significant updates during Early Access, including a new skill-based matchmaking system, ensuring you’ll be pitted against drivers of similar ability. This should lead to more balanced and enjoyable online races, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the franchise.

Perhaps the most exciting addition for many fans is the introduction of a brand new split-screen mode – finally!

This local multiplayer option offers couch co-op chaos, allowing friends to battle it out in the same room, just like in the good old days of gaming that we’ve been devastated to see getting culled from most popular games in recent years.

Customization & Mod Support

Vehicle customization also gets an overhaul with a powerful new tool that allows players to fully personalize their rides. This isn’t just about slapping on a new paint job or adding a spoiler like before.

The new features promise to be much more in-depth, enabling the creation of one-off unique vehicles, and we’ll get to see new armor and component types added during Early Access.

As drifting fans, we hope to see the ability to fine-tune suspension setups, further adjustments to weight distribution, and maybe even aftermarket fiberglass body kits that explode on impact when you don’t quite nail your “kiss the wall” intentions!

PC players will gain additional mods available through the Steam Workshop, even during the Early Access period. This could potentially open up a world of endless possibilities, much like we’ve been treated to with Assetto Corsa, which is part of what’s made the game the most popular drifting simulator.

The potential mod possibilities are endless, from new vehicles and tracks to entirely new game modes, further supporting the need for improved drifting physics to really capture the market.

Improved Audio

Wreckfest 2 brings significant audio improvements, described by the developers as a “game changer.”

The new system delivers more realistic engine sounds, improved crash effects, and enhanced environmental audio.

These changes make the racing experience feel more authentic, allowing you to better gauge your vehicle’s performance and hear threats approaching.

More New Features & Content

Further down the line in the Early Access period, Bugbear will introduce special vehicle challenges, letting you get behind the wheel of unconventional vehicles.

For drift enthusiasts, this could mean adapting their skills to unlikely drift machines – imagine trying to get a school bus sideways or running walls with a forklift!

While the full vehicle roster has yet to be revealed, fans hope for an expanded selection that includes more JDM drift cars alongside the typical American muscle.

The inclusion of the Nissan Skyline R33-style drift car known as “Razor,” which was available as DLC in the original game, has raised hopes for a more diverse lineup in the sequel.

If you want to revisit Wreckfest while you wait, here are some of our favorite cars in the original that are awesome at getting sideways, which we highly recommend checking out:

• Razor
• Rocket RX
• Raiden RS
• DragSlayer
• Starbeast SS
• Tristar
• Roadcutter

Make sure you opt for manual transmission and the fully locked differential to maximize their drifting capabilities.

As development progresses, more details will emerge, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed with the latest information.

VR Support In Wreckfest 2?

We’ve been asked about VR support many times, and we get it – experiencing Wreckfest in VR would be EPIC!

While Wreckfest 2 promises significant technical improvements, there’s currently no official confirmation of VR support.

The original game didn’t offer native VR functionality, and Bugbear Entertainment has remained silent on the topic so far.

For now, VR enthusiasts will have to wait for potential announcements as the game progresses through Early Access. Until then, there are some great alternative VR racing games you could consider.

Other Games To Look Out For

You can also check out the most popular games at Drifted, which are completely free to play in your browser on PC and mobile devices – Drift Hunters MAX and Drift Hunters.

Right now, Drifted fans are also loving Tokyo Xtreme Racer, which returned in January following an even longer break than Wreckfest – nearly 20 years! It certainly hasn’t disappointed, and the modding community is already working on making the game even more exciting.

Another highly-anticipated drift-focused title, JDM: Japanese Drift Master, was scheduled to arrive around the same time as Wreckfest 2 but has since been delayed until May 21.

Rumors are also circulating about Forza Horizon 6 and Gran Turismo 8 potentially being announced in the near future, proving that racing and drifting games are thriving. What a time to be alive!

---