Are you ready to rev up your engines and take on high-speed challenges in Heat Pedal to the Metal, the adrenaline-pumping car racing board game that brings racing thrills to the tabletop?
Great, because this game is suited to seasoned gamers or those new to the racing genre; this board game promises intense moments, strategic decisions, and, of course, the thrill of the race. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about this popular racing board game, from the gameplay mechanics to the pros and cons.
If you’re wondering if Heat Pedal to the Metal is the right fit for your game night, keep reading. Its a great racing board game for adults and those 14 and above.
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Objective and Set Up
- 1-6+
- 45-60 mins
- 14+
Objective:
The goal of Heat Pedal to the Metal is simple: be the first to cross the finish line while carefully managing your car’s heat and speed. Players must balance their speed to avoid overheating and crashing while out manoeuvring their opponents. Strategy and decision-making are key to winning this high-speed race.
Set Up of Heat Pedal to the Metal
For first timers it is suggested to use the USA track and race 1 lap. After you have done your beginner round, you can race around France, Great Britain or Italy.
To start, each player selects a colour and takes the corresponding car, player mat, gear pawn, staring upgrade cards, and your speed cards in your chosen colour. The game board represents the race track, with spaces that players will move their cars along. The track is filled with sharp corners, straightaways, and dangerous obstacles that can throw off your strategy.
Once you’ve collated all your racing gear, check out how many Heat and Stress cards each player must add to their car. Usually, it will be 6 Heat and 3 Stress cards.
Place the player mat in front of you and shuffle all cards of your chosen colour and place on your mat. Place the Heat cards and Gear cards in their appropriate spots on the board.
Draw 7 cards from your deck. Now you are ready to begin.
How to Play Heat Pedal to the Metal
On your turn, you must complete four actions:
Set your gears
Decide on your gear position. You can move up or down 2 positions from your previous position. This will result in you taking one Heat.
Play cards
Next, once you’ve set your gear position this then determines how many cards you play from your hand. For example, first gear = one card, 2nd gear = two cards. These cards are placed face down on your mat.
Move your cars
After all competitors have played, 1, and 2, you reveal and move your car. You add all the values of your cards, and this becomes your speed. This determines how many spaces you move your car. The person closest to the finish lines goes first.
Draw cards back up to seven
Finish your turn, by discarding all cards from your play area and draw back up to 7 cards.
Additional Moves/Actions outlined on your cards or based on race order
Stress – You start with three stress cards which were shuffled into your deck at the start. Each time you draw a stress card +, you will apply a speed factor, which is determined by flipping the top card of your draw deck. If it is a speed card, add it to your played cards for the round, and if it is not a speed card, discard it until you find a speed card.
Adrenaline – This applies to the car that is last. If you have adrenaline, you may add 1 extra speed (one extra space), and you can gain 1 extra cooldown. Adrenaline must be used at that time.
React – React is applied if you have symbols from cards played (Garage Mode). You can activate these symbols in any order. Cooldown is where you can take a heat card from your hand to put back into your engine. Boost can only be used once per turn to increase your speed. Applying a Boost will result in you paying 1 Heat to flip the top cards on your pile until you draw a Speed Card.
Slipstream – An optional move that only applies if you finish your turn next to or behind another car. If you choose to take this action, you can move forward 2 spaces.
Check Corner– If you crossed through a corner on your turn, check to see if your total speed for the round exceeds that of the corner speed limit. If you Speed Limit is lower, you are fine, and no further action is required. However, if you are over the Speed Limit, you pay Heat to the amount of the difference between your Speed and the Speed Limit.
Discard: Another optional move, where you can discard hands you don’t want for future rounds.
The race continues until one player crosses the finish line, but to reach that point, you’ll need to master the art of high-speed racing while keeping your cool.
Pros and Cons of Heat Pedal to the Metal
Pros
Engaging and Strategic Gameplay
Heat Pedal to the Metal car racing board games for adults offers a thrilling racing experience with plenty of room for strategy. You must plan your moves carefully, considering your current speed, the track’s challenges, and your car’s heat levels. Every turn feels important, and no race is ever the same.
Replayability
With multiple tracks, different strategies, and the card-driven mechanics, Heat is highly replayable. Whether you’re playing with friends or family, each race offers a new set of challenges, ensuring that the game never feels repetitive.
Tip: If you are introducing this board game to friends consider removing 1 or 2 Heat from your own car to make it fair until they are ready for full on racing mode.
Beautiful Artwork and Components
The board game’s visual design and components, from the racetrack to the sleek car miniatures, add to the immersive experience. The artwork on the cards and the board enhances the racing theme and makes the game visually appealing.
Exciting Player Interaction
Unlike many racing games, Heat Pedal to the Metal offers plenty of interaction between players. You’re not just racing against the track – you’re also outmanoeuvring your opponents. The strategic use of your cards, combined with the unpredictable nature of other players’ moves, keeps the game exciting and tense throughout, making it an engaging board game for adults.
Cons of Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Complexity for Younger Players
While the board game is rated for ages 14 and up, it may be challenging for younger players to grasp the full depth of the strategy, particularly in terms of managing the heat mechanics. Some players may need a few rounds to fully understand how to best play their cards, so in addition, it makes a great board game for adults.
Setup Time
Setting up the tabletop game can take a bit of time as players need to organize their decks and position on the board. While not an enormous drawback, it’s something to keep in mind when planning your game session.
Potential for Down Time
If someone is taking a while to make their decision or if there are longer stretches without direct player interaction, some players may find the pacing slow at times. However, I see this only as a minor drawback and wouldn’t let this deter you from buying this game.
Conclusion: Is Heat Pedal to the Metal Right for You?
If you’re a fan of racing board games that require more than just speed and luck, Heat Pedal to the Metal is a fantastic board game for adults and older teenagers. Its blend of strategic depth, replayability, and exciting moments makes it a standout in the racing genre. The need to carefully manage heat, outthink your opponents, and navigate tricky corners offers a challenging experience that rewards planning and skill.
Looking for other racing car board games, we have written a short overview of some of ours and your favourites here.
Expansion Sets (you must have the base set above)
Heat—Heavy Rain—Adds a new driver to compete around two new tracks—Japan and Mexico. With the introduction of new upgraded cards and submerged track sections, plus more heat, stress, championship, sponsorship, and event cards.
Because Heat: Pedal to the Metal has been so popular, there is a second expansion (Heat: Tunnel Vision), which will bring new mechanics such as chicanes and tunnels for technical and high-intensity races.
