Full Wreckfest 2 release expected before March 2026

It took over four years for the original Wreckfest (né Next Car Game) to go from Steam early access to the first full ‘1.0’ release and an extra year to hit the first console platforms.

But, for Wreckfest 2, it appears the wait should be much shorter, with the parent company to its THQ Nordic publisher, Embracer Group, confirming a ‘full release’ before 31st March 2026.

With the first, work-in-progress, early access version of the sequel releasing on 20th March 2025, there will be a year, or less, to hit version 1.0 this time.

The information comes from Embracer’s interim Q3 financial report, which touts the games confirmed for a release during its 2025/26 financial year – which runs from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.

“In FY 2025/26, we currently have two AAA games scheduled to be released towards the end of the financial year,” reads the document.

“In addition, we have a slate of exciting mid-sized releases including Gothic 1 Remake, REANIMAL, Fellowship, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, Titan Quest II, Screamer, Echoes of the End (working title), Tides of Tomorrow, Satisfactory (console) and the full release of Wreckfest 2, alongside a similar number of mid-sized games yet to be announced.”

Lars Wingefors, Co-founder and CEO of Embracer, also commented that the ‘full release’ is “across all platforms”. Wreckfest 2 is in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S alongside PC.

Wreckfest 2 sales importance

The original has regularly appeared in the top 10 back catalogue sales chart for the Swedish conglomerate since it was listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in 2016.

“Wreckfest is a fantastic game, built by a fantastic team that joined very early in the Embracer journey,” added Wingefors on the earnings call.

“I know they [have] put all their energy into creating something, you know, really good, and they’ve done it for many years now, Wreckfest 2.

“Wreckfest has been an absolute top three or top two franchise within THQ Nordic over the past years.

“So obviously there is a huge community. If [they] do this right, they could have a success on their hands, I believe. But it’s never easy to make games, so let’s wait and see and be humble.

“It’s a sizable title for THQ Nordic. In the greater scheme of all our releases, it’s important but defined as mid-sized in terms of revenue and investment.”

Created by Bugbear Entertainment, the anticipated follow-up is set to feature enhanced car customisation, revised physics and a native multiplayer ranking system as it evolves through early access.