In 1995 when Screamer released, there were a ton of high-powered arcade racers on the track, including the likes of Daytona USA. Now it feels like just Mario and Sonic are out there, perhaps leaving a way for Screamer to find its own lane.
Publisher Milestone gave one of the most beloved toy franchises the adaptation it deserved with 2021's Hot Wheels Unleashed, so I'm intrigued by their efforts here. Screamer is a twin-stick arcade racer with the left stick controlling steering and the right stick handling drift. From there, believe or not, the game pulls from systems more familiar to fighting game and shooter fans than any existing racing game.
There are two gauges that fill through in-game actions. One fills through actions including perfectly-timed shifts. Those that got hands on play at Gamescom are comparing it to Gears of War's active-reload system. This gauge grants speed boosts and shields.
The other gauge fills by using the powerups created by the first one. The second gauge grants two offensive abilties called Strike and Overdrive. Strike causes any car you collide with to explode, while Overdrive is a boost that is unlimited until you crash.
Players who master these moves will quickly create skill gaps that win the race. But, wait, there's more! The game's cast of racers come equipped with their own abilities dictating how they race. Unlike the original, I don't think there's any racer on the market currently like Screamer. But if you have fond memories of the OG, it's available on GOG.
The new incarnation of Screamer is slated for release on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026.