Mashed

About

"Mashed" is a top-down racing game that offers single-player and local multi-player modes for up to four players. The game features 13 tracks and nine hi-tech weapons to use against opponents, including machine guns, missiles, and flamethrowers. Players can compete in "all-against-all" mode or collaborate with friends in team mode.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 258 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Incredibly fun local multiplayer experience that brings back nostalgic memories.
Offers a unique blend of racing and combat mechanics, making it a chaotic and enjoyable party game.
Affordable price point for the amount of fun and entertainment it provides, especially when played with friends.

The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including crashes and poor optimization for modern systems.
Camera angles and controls can be frustrating, making gameplay difficult at times.
Lacks features found in the 'Fully Loaded' version, such as additional tracks and improved gameplay mechanics.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
62%
14%
The gameplay is a mix of classic top-down racing mechanics with a variety of modes, including time trials and survival challenges, which can be enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some players find the core experience becomes repetitive quickly, and the game suffers from dated graphics and awkward mechanics, such as races ending when players lose sight of each other. Despite these drawbacks, the addictive quality and nostalgic appeal of the gameplay resonate well with fans of retro racing games.
- “The core gameplay is simple and classic - you drive around each track (usually with 3 other opponents - AI or human) and try to avoid getting left off the screen.”
- “There's a simple thrill and sense of fun in the gameplay that should appeal to any retro gamer or fan of top-down racers.”
- “Once you’ve found a niche map you love, you could test it out in time trial mode to get a handle on some of those trickier corners and then take the action to up to three other players or computer-driven bots in a suite of gameplay objectives such as your standard demo-derby affair where points are lost for having your car destroyed and gained for not being similarly incapacitated - survival mode, where you simply need to stay intact for a number of laps against an onslaught from the other cars to win, fugitive mode, where you must either non-lethally pin a single car from escaping you, a boss battle feature where you do deadly battle with a circling helicopter – and these are just the surface of the gameplay options.”
- “Difficult gameplay.”
- “Yet, the whole sad thing about this is the fact that this is drive to survive, not fully loaded so there's not any improvement to the gameplay and I've stated the bugs you'll encounter while playing.”
- “The rest of the gameplay is also quite uninspired (controls, physics, tracks, dated graphics), the worst bit being the race mode where the game stops when you pull 50m ahead of your opponent for a short score tally and a restart - about as close to racing as a congested motorway.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2004 release, but they still hold up reasonably well for nostalgic players. While some users appreciate the charm of the original visuals, many express a desire for a modern remake with updated graphics. Overall, the game's graphics are functional but lack the polish of contemporary standards, which may detract from the experience for some players.
- “Mashed is a great nostalgic game from my childhood, and I would love to see a remake or sequel in modern graphics.”
- “Love the graphics of this old game and the control of the cars is just right, great game to pass a few hours with.”
- “The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well (especially considering the distance from which you view the car models), and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system.”
- “Graphics are obviously dated, but fine.”
- “The graphics are outdated and the menu looks janky throughout the whole process, but the fun to be had as you zoom around the tracks makes it worth it.”
- “The rest of the gameplay is also quite uninspired (controls, physics, tracks, dated graphics), the worst bit being the race mode where the game stops when you pull 50m ahead of your opponent for a short score tally and a restart - about as close to racing as a congested motorway.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its chaotic gameplay, featuring janky physics and outrageous insults exchanged between players, which create hilarious moments during multiplayer sessions. Players fondly recall the laughter and camaraderie it fosters, making it a perfect choice for parties and friendly competition. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke laughter and memorable experiences among friends.
- “The weapon power-ups are fun and make for some hilarious moments.”
- “From the slightly janky physics which occasionally bugs out in hilarious ways, to the devious after-death missile you can throw at your opponents, this is a perfect party game and a perfect way to both make friends and hate friends!”
- “Surprisingly funny writing in the insults that are traded back and forth between the competitors as well!”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of crashes, freezes, and significant glitches that disrupt gameplay, particularly on the PC version. Users have noted that the interface is clunky and specific maps often cause cars to behave erratically. While some still find value in the game for multiplayer sessions, the overall experience is marred by these persistent issues.
- “If you want your computer to crash and restart, buy this buggy junk.”
- “Sadly, the interface is clunky and there are a ton of glitches in the maps that send your car flying as if you hit a wall.”
- “Doesn't launch (Windows 10, Ryzen 3600, GTX 970), PC freezes.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game, while not extensively highlighted, is described as fitting the overall theme and contributes positively to the experience. Despite some bugs and missing tracks, players find the audio elements, including sound effects, to enhance the enjoyment of playing with friends.
- “The way the cars behave, the way the weapons behave, the graphics, the sounds, and the music, everything.”
- “There's not much about the soundtrack, but it's surely fitting to the theme.”
- “Even with the bugs and missing music, this was so worth it even for just one or two evenings with friends on the couch.”
- “There's not much about the soundtrack, but heck, it's surely fitting to the theme.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its frustrating fugitive missions, which feel overly challenging and punishing due to the lack of manual saving options, leading to potential loss of progress. Players find the difficulty spikes problematic, particularly during key missions, and feel that the single-player content lacks engagement compared to the multiplayer features.
- “The fugitive missions are among the most try-hard missions I've come across, and it's a great prank that you lose all progress unless you turn on 'auto saving' in the options, because although the option would imply so, there's no manual saving I know of.”
- “Difficulty seemed okay, until about 10 events in or so (the first 'intercept' mission), at which point I simply could no longer catch up to the other vehicles.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The game offers high replayability through its diverse "challenge cup" campaign mode, which features a variety of maps and gamemodes that unlock additional content as players progress. Its quick-paced gameplay and simple controls make it accessible for short play sessions, while the extensive content ensures players will find new experiences each time they play. Despite its age, the game remains engaging and runs well on modern systems, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking lasting enjoyment.
- “That premise is only the beginning of a highly replayable core concept. The first thing you’ll want to try is the 'challenge cup' campaign mode, which incorporates every map and every game mode in a roughly difficulty curve to showcase the immense variety of experiences the game has. Completing bronze, silver, and gold challenges on each map will unlock more play types, vehicles, and maps for the campaign, while also unlocking new possibilities in the 'quick play' casual mode with both pick-up single-player, cooperative, and competitive multiplayer.”
- “The simple controls are easy to grasp, and the quick-paced nature of the game means it can be played in ten, twenty, or even thirty-minute sessions as a relaxing intermission. The car combat is appropriately punchy and cathartic, and the sheer volume of different content available ensures long-lasting replayability. The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well (especially considering the distance from which you view the car models), and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system. The only downside to this aged release is the lack of full Steamworks integration (i.e., no achievements or trading cards), but don’t let that stop you from picking up this fantastic bargain-price gem.”
- “The simple controls are easy to get a hold of, the quick-paced nature of the game means it can be picked up for ten, twenty, maybe thirty minute games at a time as a relaxing intermission. The car-combat is appropriately punchy and cathartic, and the sheer volume of different content available ensures long-lasting replayability. The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well (especially considering the distance from which you view the car models), and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system. The only downside to this aged release is the lack of full Steamworks integration (i.e., no achievements or trading cards), but don’t let that stop you from picking up this fantastic bargain-price gem.”
- “That premise is only the beginning of a highly replayable core concept. The first thing you’ll want to try is the 'challenge cup' campaign mode, which incorporates every map and every game mode in a roughly difficulty curve to showcase the immense variety of experiences the game has. Completing bronze, silver, and gold challenges on each map will unlock more and more play types, vehicles, and maps for the campaign, while also unlocking new possibilities in the 'quick play' casual mode with both pick-up single-player, cooperative, and competitive multiplayer.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game is reported to be poorly optimized for Windows 10 and 11, leading to performance issues that hinder a smooth gaming experience.
- “Not optimized for Windows 10 and 11.”
- “The game suffers from severe performance issues on modern systems.”
- “Frequent frame drops and stuttering make it unplayable at times.”