Look, let’s be real for a second. Movie tie-in games usually suck. They’re often rushed, buggy messes shoved out the door to capitalize on a theatrical release window before the hype dies down. But then there’s Cars 3: Driven to Win. Developed by Avalanche Software—the same folks who handled the massive Disney Infinity project—this title managed to dodge the "shovelware" curse. It didn't just survive; it thrived.
It’s been years since it hit the shelves in 2017. Yet, if you browse the PlayStation Store or Nintendo eShop today, it’s still sitting there, often at a premium price or hovering near the top of the "Great for Kids" lists. Why? Because it’s basically Mario Kart with a physics engine that actually wants you to drift like a pro.
The game isn't just about crossing a finish line. It’s about style. It’s about that weirdly satisfying feeling of driving backward to gain turbo while Lightning McQueen cracks a joke. Honestly, it’s a lot deeper than it looks on the box art.
The Avalanche Software Pedigree and Why It Worked
Most people forget that Avalanche Software was briefly shut down by Disney before being resurrected by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Cars 3: Driven to Win was their comeback project. You can feel that "we have something to prove" energy in the mechanics. They didn't just reskin a generic racer. They built a system where stunt-driving is the core currency.
You aren't just holding down an accelerator. You’re flicking the right stick to side-flip, driving on two wheels to collect points, and timing your drifts to fill up that crucial "In the Zone" meter. When you trigger that state, the screen goes into a monochromatic blur, your speed triples, and you become an unstoppable force of nature. It’s high-octane. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a Pixar game should feel like.
A Roster That Actually Deep-Dives into Lore
You’ve got the heavy hitters, obviously. Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, and Jackson Storm are front and center. But the developers went deeper into the Cars universe. You can play as Arvy, the demolition derby RV. You can unlock Miss Fritter. You can even race as Mater’s tall-tale personas.
There are over 20 customizable characters. Every single one of them can be tweaked with different horns, lights, and turbo effects. It’s not just cosmetic fluff; it gives players a sense of ownership over their garage.
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Breaking Down the Game Modes
A lot of racing games give you a circuit mode and call it a day. Cars 3: Driven to Win spreads its wings across six different modes.
- Race: The standard stuff. Get from A to B.
- Battle Race: This is where the Mario Kart comparisons happen. You’ve got oil slicks, homing missiles, and gatling guns. Yes, gatling guns on a Disney car. It’s chaotic.
- Stunt Showcase: This is the high-score chaser. You jump off ramps, pull tricks, and try to keep a combo going.
- Takedown: Basically an arena mode. You use power-ups to blow up as many "crash karts" as possible within a time limit. It’s mindless fun in the best way.
- Best Lap Challenge: For the try-hards who want to shave milliseconds off their time.
- Playground: A massive open-world area where you can just drive around, find collectibles, and practice stunts without the pressure of a timer.
The Playground is arguably the best part of the whole package. It’s modeled after the Thomasville Speedway from the film. It’s a sandbox. You can spend hours just hitting ramps and exploring. For younger kids who struggle with the "stay on the track" mechanics of a traditional race, the Playground is a godsend. It lets them engage with the world of Cars 3: Driven to Win without the frustration of losing.
The Difficulty Spike: Not Just for Kids
Here is the thing most reviewers missed back in 2017: this game can be hard. Really hard.
On the higher difficulty settings, the AI is aggressive. They will bump you. They will save their missiles for the final stretch. They will drift with surgical precision. This isn't just a game you hand to a toddler to keep them quiet for twenty minutes. If you want to unlock everything—including the "Hall of Fame" trials—you have to actually get good at the mechanics.
The Hall of Fame is the game’s progression system. It’s a giant grid of challenges. Some are simple, like "perform 10 air flips." Others require you to win specific races using only backward driving or to take out three opponents with a single power-up. It’s a completionist’s dream. It adds a layer of longevity that most movie games lack. You aren't just "beating the game"; you're mastering it.
The Visuals and Performance
Does it look like a PS5 Pro masterpiece? No. But it looks like the movie. The lighting on the car bodies, the way the dirt kicks up in Thunder Hollow, the facial animations of the cars as they talk to you—it’s all remarkably faithful to Pixar’s aesthetic.
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On the Nintendo Switch, there are some occasional framerate dips when things get really crowded during a Battle Race. However, on PS4 and Xbox One (and through backward compatibility on newer consoles), it runs like a dream. The colors pop. The sound design is punchy. Every engine has a distinct roar.
Why No Online Multiplayer?
This is the biggest gripe most people have. Cars 3: Driven to Win is local multiplayer only. Up to four players can play split-screen, which is a blast, but there is no matchmaking. No leaderboards. No racing against a guy in France.
In a way, this makes the game a bit of a time capsule. It’s a "couch co-op" game in an era where that’s becoming a lost art. It’s designed for siblings to argue over on a Saturday morning. It’s designed for parents to play with their kids. While the lack of online play might seem like a drawback for the solo gamer, it keeps the environment safe and focused on the immediate, physical experience of playing together in the same room.
Skill-Based Drifting vs. Random Luck
In many kart racers, the person who wins is the one who got the best item at the last box. That can happen here, but the game leans more heavily on skill.
Because stunts and drafting fill your boost meter, a better driver will almost always have more "gas" in the tank than a novice. You can literally jump over projectiles if you time it right. You can side-swipe an incoming missile to deflect it. There is a high skill ceiling here that rewards players for learning the tracks. Speaking of tracks, there are over 20 of them. They aren't just circles; they have shortcuts, hidden paths, and environmental hazards that change as the race progresses.
Real-World Value in 2026
If you're looking for a gift or a new addition to your library, you might wonder if it's worth the $40 usually found on digital storefronts. Honestly? Wait for a sale. It frequently drops to under $10 during Warner Bros. publisher sales. At that price point, it is an absolute steal.
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It’s one of those rare games that doesn't rely on microtransactions. No battle passes. No "buy 500 McQueen coins to unlock a new spoiler." You buy the game, you play the game, you unlock the content. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the current "service-based" gaming landscape.
Getting the Most Out of Your Experience
To truly enjoy the game, don't treat it like a serious simulator. It’s an arcade racer through and through.
- Master the flick: Get used to using the right analog stick. It is your best friend for building boost quickly.
- Explore Thomasville: Spend at least an hour in the Playground. It’s the fastest way to learn how the cars handle in the air.
- Focus on the Hall of Fame: Don't just do the races. Check the requirements for the Hall of Fame boxes. This is how you unlock the "Master Level" events, which are basically boss fights against characters like Chick Hicks.
- Use the drafting mechanic: If you’re behind, stay in the slipstream. The visual indicator is clear—use it to slingshot yourself into first place.
Cars 3: Driven to Win remains a standout example of what happens when a talented studio is given a beloved IP and the time to actually build a solid foundation. It captures the heart of the films while providing a mechanical depth that keeps older players engaged. It’s not just a "kids' game." It’s a racing game that happens to be about talking cars.
Whether you're a die-hard Pixar fan or just someone looking for a solid split-screen racer to play with friends, this title holds up. It’s fast, it’s polished, and it’s genuinely fun. In a world of complex, 100-hour RPGs, sometimes you just want to do a backflip in a 1950s Hudson Hornet and blow up a school bus with a rocket. And that’s exactly what this game delivers.
To get started, head straight into the "Events" menu and knock out the first few stunt races. This will unlock the basic upgrades and give you a feel for the air-control physics before you dive into the more competitive battle modes. If you find the controls a bit twitchy, head into the settings and adjust the steering sensitivity; the default can be a bit sharp for some controllers. Once you've got the hang of the "In the Zone" mechanic, you'll be gapping the AI on even the hardest tracks.