Hill Climb Racing

Physics-based driving game not original, but fun and free.
Hill Climb Racing
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hill Climb Racing is a physics-based game where players try to advance as far as possible without flipping over the buggy they're driving. The game magnifies physics, making it a bit too hard for young kids, and has some violence, notably a "crunching" sound when the vehicle flips. Players can buy coins via in-app purchase, and there's some advertising, but nothing too egregious.
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What’s It About?
Players attempt to drive a buggy through a series of bumpy landscapes, progressing as far as they can without flipping over. The game's physics engine makes this an inevitability, but that's the hook of the game. Controlling the vehicle is as simple as mashing the gas pedal on the bottom right side of the screen or the brake/reverse on the left. As they drive, players collect coins (to buy upgraded suspension, tires, etc., for their cars) and gas cans to let them continue driving.
Is It Any Good?
Hill Climb Racing won't win any prizes for originality (there are dozens of other physics-based car games on the market), graphics (they're rudimentary at best), or sound (which gets repetitive fast), but it's pretty good at what it sets out to do. The exaggerated physics engine makes the game challenging without being impossible. And when the game reaches its inevitable conclusion, you'll find yourself wanting to play one more time -- just to see if you can do better. You really can't ask for much more from a free app.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: November 26, 2012
- Category: Racing Games
- Version: 1.4.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.3 or later; Android 2.2 and up
- Last updated: August 18, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love free apps and racing games
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