Cars

THQ's Cars, released in 2006, is a racing game that brings the world of the Pixar film to life. Players control Lightning McQueen as he competes in the Piston Cup and trains with the quirky residents of Radiator Springs. The game blends arcade-style racing with light exploration, letting you drive through familiar locations from the movie. It was developed by several studios including Rainbow Studios and Helixe, and launched on nearly every major platform of the era: PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Windows, Mac, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PSP in June 2006. Later that year, it hit Xbox 360 and served as a launch title for the Wii, which used motion controls via the Wii Remote.

The story picks up after the film, with McQueen determined to win the Piston Cup. You race through various tracks, complete challenges, and unlock characters like Mater and Sally. The game brought back most of the film's voice cast, though Keith Ferguson voiced McQueen on PSP instead of Owen Wilson. Critics gave Cars mixed reviews, but it sold well. The PS2 and DS versions each earned a Platinum Sales Award from ELSPA, reflecting strong commercial performance despite lukewarm critical reception.[edit]

Two main modes define the experience: racing and open-world exploration. The racing side includes standard circuit races, elimination events, and boss races against rivals like Chick Hicks. Each vehicle has distinct stats for speed, acceleration, handling, and boost. Boost recharges by drafting opponents or pulling off tricks. The exploration mode lets you drive freely through Radiator Springs, Ornament Valley, and Tailfin Pass. Here you hunt for hidden Piston Cups, complete driving challenges like delivering tractors or drifting through cones, and chat with NPCs to unlock new races, vehicles, and upgrades. A dedicated World Explorer mode offers pure free-roam without objectives.

Multiplayer supports split-screen for up to two players on all console versions, with modes including standard races, elimination, and a Capture the Flag variant. The DS version allows up to four players via local wireless, while the GBA uses a link cable for two-player racing. Online multiplayer was not included. The PC version features a Track Editor that lets you create custom tracks and share them online, though the sharing server has since been shut down.[edit]

Set after the events of the 2006 film, Lightning McQueen has settled in Radiator Springs but still hungers for the Piston Cup. The plot follows his return to competitive racing, where he must face off against Chick Hicks and veteran Strip The King Weathers. To prepare, McQueen trains with the town's residents. Mater teaches him off-road techniques, Sally challenges him to precision driving, and Doc Hudson imparts wisdom from his own racing days. Each training session is a gameplay challenge that improves McQueen's skills. The story culminates in a final championship race that determines the Piston Cup winner, with the fate of Radiator Springs' reputation also on the line.[edit]