Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 76 | 32 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 79 | 451 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 77 | 91 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 5, 2026) · 91 reviews sampled · 89 total reviews in window · weighted 52.4 up / 10.2 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“What the Car? is absurd from top to bottom and glorious because of it. It offers easy to pick up but difficult to master challenges across so many themes and permutations that despite being made for pick up and play style gaming, it's just plain hard to put down.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“WHAT THE CAR? is a dynamic and entertaining racing(?) game featuring obstacles, jumping ropes, and cucumbers. It offers a wide variety of levels and themes that’s only rivaled by the number of different car designs and quirks available for each stage. However, its real claim to fame is the community levels, which are full of wacky custom stages for everyone to get their feet on. You can even design your own levels and compete on the leaderboards!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“What the Car is perfect in small doses, especially if you’re looking for something to pick your mood up with a few laughs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Graphically beautiful and abounding with references and Easter eggs, it’s a not-quite-driving adventure that’s overflowing with charm and wit.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If we’re measuring the success of What the Car? by laughs per minute, it’s a pretty sweet ride. The overworld eventually wears out its welcome, and some of the harder levels feel a little too frustrating for a comedy game. However, as an overall lighthearted experience, this game kicks it into high gear.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Fans of the franchise will get a good session from WHAT THE CAR?, and I can see that it’ll do well in the streaming category as well, especially with the fan-made levels already reaching ridiculous proportions. If you don’t gel within the first ten minutes, there’s a good chance this isn’t the game for you, and that’s alright. But if you have a little spark of joy after your first gold crown, follow that vibe and keep on driving. Your tires, or feet, or bears, or roller skates, are taking you on a journey of a lifetime.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“What The Car? is exactly what you expect from the description with even greater unexpected turns. It’s a silly adventure game where you play as a little car in a world run by adorable bears with jobs. Every level is a new journey and a new challenge. The game is short and sweet but delivers on what it sets out to achieve. There’s enough content in the game that offers a lot of replayability, especially when it comes to trying out player-made levels or finding all the hidden secrets. Players who were fans of Triband‘s previous titles or fans of this genre will enjoy this new addition, especially at its affordable price tag.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It has a lot of fun mechanics like unique vehicles and rewarding challenges. However, the level designs did not encapsulate me in the way I was hoping. This game is packaged wonderfully with lovely music and visual design and a decent game within. However, I think the price is just a bit too high right now.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Let’s be honest, WHAT THE CAR? isn’t for everyone. The chaotic physics engine and the constant barrage of unexpected challenges can be frustrating at times. This is a comedy racing game, with an emphasis on the humor first. With its impressive physics engine, it’s exceptionally well made and silly. WHAT THE CAR? is a game that defies definition. It’s a racing game, a physics playground, a comedy show, and all wrapped up in one ridiculously entertaining package.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“This is certainly not a game for fans of realistic racing action, but if you are up for over the top craziness and quick challenges, What the Car? is a game Apple Arcade users absolutely should not miss.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“I think What the Car is a great game that absolutely made me laugh at times with its complete absurdity. It’s enjoyable enough for me, but I feel completionists and those with a competitive streak will get a lot more out of it than I ever would.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“What the Car? was a nice, little moment of silliness in a packed summer, full of games that have demanded a lot of time and energy. It made my hardened critic's face crack a smile multiple times, even if it had just annoyed me moments before. I’m not ready to turn all the way around and start banging the “wiggly game” drums just yet, but it was nice to know there’s still hope out there for this particular brand of video game foolishness.”
read full review ↗
GameLuster
Game8
MonsterVine
Metro GameCentral
TechRaptor
WayTooManyGames
Thumb Culture
Rapid Reviews UK
Saving Content
GAMES.CH
Player2.net.au
Shacknews…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 🚀 JUNE EVENTS 🔴Jun 11, 2026
- 👃🏽 MAY EVENTS 🏆Apr 30, 2026
- 🎁 APRIL EVENTS 🎂Apr 17, 2026
- 🐘 MARCH EVENTS 🐜Mar 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 🐸 A-MAZE-ING SPECIAL - Now Live! 🐸Sep 1, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- 🚀BEST OF CAR-MONG US - NOW LIVE🚀May 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH 5.4.0Dec 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH 5.3.1Nov 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH 5.1.0Oct 25, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 💎HANDLE WITH CAR 💎- Now Live!Sep 20, 2024
- HOTFIX 4.5.2Sep 16, 2024
- BUGS & THANKS // Hotfix v4.5.1Sep 11, 2024