New Co-Op Game on Steam Looks Like It Takes Two Meets Hot Wheels

A co-op game on Steam called WheelMates looks like the love child of It Takes Two and Hot Wheels, putting players in control of two RC cars that must work together to unravel mysteries in oversized environments. Developed by Firevolt, WheelMates recently received a release date announcement during the latest Future Games Show and is set to launch on Steam in September 2026.

Recently, there has been an uptick in games like It Takes Two, likely driven by its immense popularity and undeniable commercial success. However, most of these titles tend to stick to third-person adventure gameplay with platforming elements. What sets WheelMates apart is how it takes that same co-op-focused design and blends it with a racing game structure centered on miniature cars.

New Co-Op Steam Game is Like Stardew Valley With Giant Bugs

There are plenty of Stardew Valley-likes already on Steam, but this upcoming one puts a brand new perspective on the farming/social sim genre.

WheelMates Is Like ‘It Takes Two, But on Wheels’

Troy Baker, actor and co-host of the Future Games Show, introduced WheelMates as a title that is “like It Takes Two, but on wheels.” His co-host, Alix Wilton Regan, added, “[In WheelMates] you play as a pair of dinky RC cars, solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries in a rather strange laboratory.” The showcase then unveiled a new trailer for WheelMates, which also confirmed a planned release date of September 7, 2026.

WheelMates PC System Requirements

OS	Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
CPU	Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
RAM	8 GB
GPU	NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
DirectX	Version 12
Network	Broadband Internet connection
Storage	15 GB

Build your perfect top ten one reveal at a time.

WheelMates Inherits It Takes Two’s Teamwork-Centric Gameplay

Based on the trailers shown so far, the game emphasizes constant cooperation between players to progress, with puzzles and missions ranging from towing objects to navigating laser-protected areas in sync. WheelMates describes players as “two pieces of one puzzle,” which captures its core design philosophy.

WheelMates describes players as “two pieces of one puzzle,” which captures its core design philosophy.

One of the reasons It Takes Two became so popular was its ability to encourage real-life bonding between players through shared in-game challenges. While WheelMates does not appear to center on a deeply emotional narrative in the same way, it still aims to strengthen the friendship between players through its co-op-focused missions and mechanics.

WheelMates’ Driving Channels Hot Wheels Games

Gravity-defying tracks and fast-paced courses set within oversized environments clearly echo the feel of Hot Wheels.

Based on the trailers, WheelMates does not appear to offer the same range of customization options for its RC cars as the Hot Wheels series. However, the fundamental driving experience still carries undeniable similarities, especially with gravity-defying tracks and fast-paced courses set within oversized environments that clearly echo the feel of Hot Wheels. Interestingly, a new Hot Wheels game titled Infinite Rush is also expected to be released in September, arriving nearly 17 days after WheelMates.

Fans of co-op adventure games will likely be interested to know that WheelMates will include a friend pass. The friend pass allows the purchaser to invite a friend to play without requiring a second copy, meaning one purchase is enough for two players to experience the game together. It will also support split-screen co-op, letting players complete the full campaign on the same device. Players who want to stay updated on release notifications are encouraged to wishlist WheelMates on Steam and join the game’s Discord server for official announcements.