Buckle up, speed demons! If you love the thrill of the chase that comes from playing the racing game Heat: Pedal to the Metal but just can't get your mitts on a copy, or simply crave the sweet taste of different tarmac, then this list is for you! We've put together our top five alternatives to this high-octane race game that will still keep your heart pounding, your knuckles white, and your strategic mind firing on all cylinders. So, check your rear-view mirror, adjust your seat, and let's get this light-hearted, petrol-fueled journey started! Remember, it's not about the destination, it's about the joy (and chaos) of the ride!

5. Downforce

Start your engines and get ready for a fast-paced blast from the past with Downforce by Restoration Games! Here's the deal: players find themselves wearing multiple hats - as ambitious car owners, shrewd bettors, and skilled drivers all at once. The game is an exhilarating blend of hand management and auction/bidding mechanics. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to strategically play your speed cards to propel your car forward while also hindering your opponents' progress. Oh, and did I mention that you'll be trying to anticipate the race's outcome and place your bets accordingly? Buckle up!

While Heat: Pedal to the Metal lets you feel the burn with its tense, cutthroat races, Downforce offers a slightly different take on the whole racing concept. It's not all about the sheer speed and first to cross the finish line in Downforce. This game injects a healthy dose of strategic betting and auction elements that requires players to be mindful not just of the tracks, but also their purses and opponents' plans. So, while you're burning rubber in Heat, Downforce asks you to keep a cool head and a keen eye on your assets.

In conclusion, Downforce is a fantastic alternative to Heat: Pedal to the Metal, providing a unique experience where strategic bidding and clever hand management take the front seat. While it doesn't replace the adrenaline-soaked thrill of "Heat", it does offer a refreshing detour with an interesting mix of strategy and speed. Just like in real racing, sometimes it's not about going full throttle, but knowing when to hit the brakes and when to punch it. Now that's a different kind of thrill, isn't it? If you fancy yourself a shrewd race team owner with a knack for strategic play, then Downforce might just be your next pit stop.

Buy Downforce online now!

4. Thunder Road: Vendetta

Vroom vroom! Next up on the starting grid is Thunder Road: Vendetta from Restoration Games, promising more octane-fuelled fun. In this game, you're not just racing; you're battling for survival in a dystopian future filled with high-speed car chases. Players take control of their own squadron of cars and a helicopter, maneuvering around the modular game board and obliterating their opponents' vehicles. The last player with at least one vehicle left in play wins, meaning you'll need some Mad Max-level strategic driving to stay in the game.

Now, if Heat: Pedal to the Metal was all about feeling the rush of speed and cunning racing strategies, Thunder Road: Vendetta cranks up the chaos a few notches. Imagine trading paint in Heat, but this time you're also launching rockets and machine gun fire at your rivals. And while Heat offers a purer, race-focused experience, Thunder Road: Vendetta blends demolition derby with a race to the death, making every turn a tense decision between advancement and aggression.

Making its second pit stop in our list, Restoration Games seems determined to be the Lewis Hamilton of the racing game scene. Thunder Road: Vendetta offers a vastly different experience from Heat: Pedal to the Metal, blending racing with explosive combat and strategic planning. While it might not be a traditional racing game, it does offer the thrill of high-speed competition with an added layer of chaotic combat. If you're after a game that shifts gears between fast-paced racing and vehicular combat, then Thunder Road: Vendetta might just have your name written all over it. And remember, it's not about how fast you drive, but how well you aim those rockets!

Buy Thunder Road: Vendetta online now!

3. Thunder Alley

Put your pedal to the metal, because next on our list is Thunder Alley from GMT Games. Thunder Alley isn't just your average day at the races. No sir, it's a heart-pounding, piston-pumping, rubber-burning journey into the heart of NASCAR racing. In this strategy board game, players control a team of racers, with each car having its own deck of cards dictating movement and performance. The game focuses on pack racing, a concept unique to NASCAR, where cars group together to increase speed, making strategic positioning of your cars critical.

When you compare Thunder Alley to Heat: Pedal to the Metal, you might feel like you've traded in a sleek sports car for a hefty, rumbling stock car. Both games get your adrenaline pumping with their thrilling racing mechanics, but where Heat leans into the finesse of carefully planned movements and timing, Thunder Alley really captures the heart and soul of NASCAR, emphasizing strategic positioning and working together with other cars to gain the edge. They say rubbing is racing, and in Thunder Alley, this saying has never been truer.

So, you're a fan of Heat: Pedal to the Metal, but looking for a change in pace? Then you should definitely consider taking Thunder Alley for a spin. The game offers a unique blend of strategy, teamwork and high-speed racing, and while it's not a pure speed fest like Heat, the added layer of strategy can make for a thrilling and satisfying race. And if you're wondering about Grand Prix, the spiritual successor to Thunder Alley, let's just say that while it may offer a fresh take on the genre, Thunder Alley still holds its own and is a lot easier to find in your local board game shop. Now get ready, because it's time to start your engines and feel the thunderous roar of Thunder Alley!

Buy Thunder Alley online now!

2. Rallyman: GT

Alright folks, buckle up because we're taking a wild ride into the realm of Rallyman: GT! If you fancy yourself a bit of a gearhead and a fan of strategy, then this game will have you revving your engines with anticipation. In Rallyman: GT, the players are racing drivers, barrelling down the track in a frantic bid for victory. The key mechanic here revolves around dice. You’ll be rolling them to manage your gears, acceleration, braking and even handling the hairpin turns. But careful! Push your luck too far, and you might spin out.

Now, if you're a fan of Heat: Pedal to the Metal, you might find Rallyman: GT to be a bit of a different beast. Where Heat is all about plotting out your path and then watching your plan unfold (or spectacularly fail), Rallyman: GT is a wild ride that thrives on controlled chaos. You're not just manoeuvring through a racetrack; you're managing risks and rewards with each roll of the dice. It's less about flawless execution and more about high-speed adaptability.

So, why might a Heat: Pedal to the Metal aficionado give Rallyman: GT a go? It’s all about that thrill of the unexpected. If you're looking for a game that captures the white-knuckle unpredictability of a high-speed race, where a single roll can send you skidding off course or rocketing into the lead, then Rallyman: GT might just be the pit stop you need. This game brings the tension, the strategy, and, above all, the unadulterated fun of racing, making it a must-try for any fans of the racing board game genre.

Buy Rallyman: GT online now!

1. Formula D

Get ready to fire up your engines and burn some rubber with Formula D, a high-octane game of speed and strategy where the race is only half the battle. In Formula D, players are competing racers, managing gears to optimize their speed while considering the wear and tear on their vehicle. The crux of the game lies in dice rolling, with a different die for each gear. Shift up, and you’re rolling a higher die, zipping further along the track, but risking overshooting those crucial corners.

So, let's pop the hood and see how this compares to Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Both games certainly share that adrenaline-fueled need for speed, but where Heat has you strategically planning your route in advance, Formula D is a little more pedal to the metal, if you will. The dice rolling brings in a delicious element of chance, turning every gear shift into a nail-biting gamble. Will you risk shifting up and potentially overshooting, or play it safe and risk being left in the dust?

In the final lap, why would a Heat: Pedal to the Metal enthusiast want to take Formula D out for a spin? Well, if you've ever wanted to feel the thrill of threading the needle between calculated strategy and breakneck speed, Formula D could be just the ticket. This game takes the tension of Heat and dials it up a notch, with the dice adding a layer of unpredictability that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. So for anyone looking for a racing game that captures the essence of the sport - the strategy, the risk-taking, and, above all, the speed - Formula D might just be your fast track to fun.

Buy Formula D online now!