HEAT: Pedal to the Metal Board Game - Intense Car Racing and Strategy Game, Fun Family Game for Kids and Adults, Ages 10+, 1-4 Players, 60 Minute Playtime

Speed. Reaction. Competition. Strategy. Adrenaline. As a race car driver three generations deep in motorsports in the last 20 years, I feel as if I know a little something about the sport. As an avid table top gamer who is, right this second, looking at a shelf in my gaming unit with 13 different racing games on it, I also feel qualified to review this one. And let me state... It does NOT disappoint. Let's start with the obvious... It's pricey, I get it. It's more than my internet bill. But hear me out... you'll find some things are simply worth the price of admission and HEAT is one of those things. Firstly, my initial thoughts as I saw the box art and slid the lid off the first time. The box art is superb. Colorful, racey, appropriate and stylish. Slide it off, and the top tier quality continues to shine throughout the components. The cards, driver dashboards, tracks, cars, shifters... everything... feels and looks like money. The rule set. Ahhhh, the rule set. The core factor in determining if a game is fun, exciting and worth our time. HEAT... Easy to follow? Check. Easy to grasp? Check. Easy to learn and retain? Check. Polished and play tested to reduce potential issues? Check. The core rules can be learned in literal minutes. Everything you need to go through a game turn in, quite literally, right under your nose. I mean.. it's printed right on the game dashboard in front of you as you play. Everything you need to know is quickly referenced with a list of graphics as instructions on every players dashboard. The rules are easy to concept, fun to play and replicate the excitement and stress of racing wheel to wheel and door-to-door lap after lap. Beyond the basic rules, the game also comes with a secondary rule book for the modules and advanced rule set. The modules are a wonderful addition to the base game and include custom car building, weather and track conditions, Championship mode with sponsorship bonuses, and even a solo play mode with an extremely intuitive AI system that creates extremely competitive racing when you use them to fill out your field. This has quickly become my favorite game to play both with people and as a solo game. There is an expansion that expands your field to seven cars and adds severe weather to the game to create more adversity on track. There are also slots in the game insert for an eighth car and eighth gear shifter so we can only imagine a second expansion will be released. My only complaint is really a personal preference and that is there needs to be some sort of collision system to implement the dangers of crashing and damaging your car. I have solved this with a house rule that states landing on the same space as another car results in a die roll. That resolves possible collisions on a collision chart. So with a little imagination, this small oversight is easily corrected making HEAT the perfect racing game. In my opinion HEAT is well worth the pretty substantial asking price. I already feel as though I have gotten way more than my money's worth out of the game and will continue to see returns in fun and excitement for years to come.

Heat: Pedal to the Metal combines fast-paced racing action with smart hand management and tactical decisions. Every turn feels exciting as you balance speed, gear shifts, and engine heat. The components are high quality, and the artwork really captures the vintage racing vibe. What I love most is how replayable it with different tracks, weather conditions, and upgrade options keeping each race fresh. It’s easy to learn but has enough depth to keep strategy lovers engaged. Whether you're playing solo or with a group, it’s always a fun and competitive experience. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys racing themes or clever card-driven games!

I’ve seen both very occasional, casual board game players and more frequent “determined” players both love this game even playing together. The basic game is quick to learn, there are lots of complications/built-in extensions available, and the secret is that there are “catch-up” mechanics to keep the game interesting and in reach up to the last turn for most or all players while still rewarding good, strategic play (a neat trick - really excellent game design). Materials are all good quality. Little touches like marking the number of spaces to the next tight turn on the track encourage smart play, which in turn increases engagement and skill in a more casual player. Has become a favorite at a monthly game group.

Quick to learn, fun to play. Great game with enough luck element to give a winning chance to novice players. We are racing fans and felt that the game simulated the racing elements pretty well. We haven't yet tried all the add-ons and are looking forward to trying all of the game modes.

I really like playing Heat. So bummed my wife is not a fan of the theme or mechanics. I don’t understand why!?! Artwork is outstanding and I think the flow is great. I play with a friend and we use the automated cars along with us which really helps make it fun. Amazing how well the automated cars stay about the same pace and they are super easy to run on the side. Great game. For a feel of other games we are currently also loving - River of gold, Earth, Targi, Living Forest, Harmonies among others. I think Heat is right there near the top for fun and replaying and I haven’t even used advanced cards yet.

Fun and different then a lot of board games!!

It was somewhat challenging to learn, that's why I docked a star. Thankfully there are you tube videos out there to help learn this game. The game pieces felt like they were of quality build. Once the concept was learned it as a fun exciting board game that my family keeps going back to.

Love this game. Played with friends that had the game and had to get it for myself. Easy to set up and play. Great for teenagers and up. Has a strategic element!

Great quality…a little pricier than other websites but I didn’t have a choice when buying because it wasn’t available anywhere else and I so so wanted to play… My mom loves Heat compared to other racing games but she always loses to me still loves playing it

Great buy

If you're looking for a board game that blends strategy, adrenaline, and just the right amount of chaos, Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a winner. I’ve played this with both seasoned gamers and casual friends, and it consistently delivers high-energy fun. What I love: - Fast-paced gameplay: Turns move quickly, and the tension builds as you push your car to the limit. The “heat” mechanic is brilliant, it forces you to manage risk without slowing the game down. - Strategic depth: It’s not just about going fast. You have to plan your gear shifts, cornering speed, and when to cool your engine. It rewards smart play without punishing newcomers. - Beautiful production: The components are well-made and the retro racing theme is immersive. - Scales well: Works great with 2–6 players, and the solo mode is surprisingly solid. The AI drivers are clever and keep the race competitive. Minor nitpicks: - Setup can take a bit of time, especially with new players. There are a lot of cards and modules to sort. - The box insert isn’t perfect—expect a little chaos unless you use baggies or a custom organiser. Overall, Heat is a must-have for fans of racing, tactical card play, or anyone who wants a game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. It’s become a staple in our game nights, and I can’t recommend it enough.

As the title says, a fantastic game, either solo to 6, or up to 8 with expansions, player count. AI drivers are smooth, quick, and challenging. Great selection of racetracks with interesting mechanics.

Ce jeu est en anglais !!!