SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed — Everything We Know

Remember that chaotic joy of outrunning your friends, dodging traps, and landing the perfect grappling hook swing just before someone knocked you off-screen? SpeedRunners was pure, unfiltered madness — a game that turned every race into a battle and every friendship into a rivalry. Now, with SpeedRunners 2 on the horizon, that same high-speed chaos is making a comeback, and it’s looking faster, wilder, and more competitive than the previous one.

SpeedRunners sequel is aiming to take everything that made the first game legendary and supercharge it for the modern era. More players. Sharper visuals. Online tournaments. It’s not just a sequel; it’s a full-on evolution. But what exactly is new? What’s returning? And how does it stack up to the original?

Here’s everything we know about SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed — from gameplay and development to release info and platform details.

What is SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed?

SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed is the upcoming sequel to SpeedRunners, a beloved indie multiplayer game from 2016. The original became a surprise hit with over 10 million players, earning a reputation as the “Mario Kart of 2D platformers” for its frenzied, friendship-ruining races​. It’s a fast-paced side-scrolling platform racing game where four heroes would sprint, jump, and swing through obstacle-filled courses, trying to knock each other off-screen. The formula was simple yet endlessly fun – and it’s timeless​.

Now, the sequel aims to continue that legacy on a grander scale. TinyBuild (the publisher) have teamed up with Fair Play Labs to carefully bring that unique SpeedRunners feel into a new era​. In other words, SpeedRunners 2 will preserve the chaotic, skill-based racing fans love, while cranking up the features and polish for modern audiences.

SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed Story

Story isn’t really the main event in SpeedRunners, but there is some lore this time around. The game is set in a retrofuturistic superhero utopia inspired by the 1960s. While a full story mode isn’t confirmed at launch, the devs plan to add one during Early Access. For now, what we do know is that players will pick from a cast of eccentric heroes, both returning and new, and race through beautifully designed tracks that bring this superhero world to life.

SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed Gameplay

So how will SpeedRunners 2 play? In a word: fast. Players can expect the same adrenaline-pumping, competitive platforming gameplay that made the original a hit – with some exciting new additions. Races are still side-scrolling sprint-fests where your goal is to run ahead of your opponents and knock them off the screen. You’ll dart through winding urban tracks, leap over obstacles, slide under hazards, and swing across gaps with a trusty grappling hook.

The core mechanics from the first game are all coming back. That means you can once again make split-second use of environmental features: jump off walls, hit boost pads for bursts of speed, grapple onto ceiling hooks, and even trigger levers to open or close pathways in the map​.

Of course, it wouldn’t be SpeedRunners without wacky power-ups. King of Speed brings back a toolbox of pick-ups that players can grab to turn the tide of a race. You’ll be able to blast your rivals with rockets and missiles, drop traps in their path, freeze them with a freeze-ray, or yank them back with a golden grappling hook, as seen in the trailer​. All this unfolds now with up to eight players in a match, creating even more chaos and opportunity for crafty plays​. Despite the higher player count, the developers are adamant about maintaining tight controls and smooth gameplay. They’ve even confirmed that advanced techniques from the original (like slope jumping and other advanced techniques) will still be possible in the sequel’s new engine​.

Development

SpeedRunners 2 is being developed by Fair Play Labs, a studio with plenty of multiplayer game experience (they previously worked on the frenetic Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl fighting games). They’ve partnered closely with the original creators of SpeedRunners, DoubleDutch Games, and publisher tinyBuild to ensure this sequel stays true to its roots​. The DoubleDutch team plays an active role in the project, offering advice, feedback, and hands-on guidance to Fair Play Labs throughout development.

Fair Play Labs’ prior experience with fast-paced, competitive gameplay is a great match for SpeedRunners 2. (After all, wrangling SpongeBob and Ninja Turtles in chaotic arena battles isn’t too far off from managing superhero racers zooming through obstacle courses!).

Trailer

The trailer for SpeedRunners 2 gives a quick glimpse into what’s coming. It showcases vibrant new environments with crisp, upgraded visuals. The fast-paced action is still there — with lots of running, swinging, and chaotic moments. The core gameplay remains intact, but it all feels sharper and more intense. It’s a solid tease for what looks like a fun and competitive sequel.

SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed – Release Date, Platforms and Editions

SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed will launch in Early Access on PC via Steam in 2025, with a full release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch planned for 2026. The developers will actively release regular updates during Early Access, bringing in new maps, characters, and gameplay tweaks based on community feedback. While they haven’t revealed pricing or special edition details yet, the game will feature fan-favorite characters like Falcon and Buckshot, classic maps, and possibly some fresh crossovers. Features like mod support and a map editor are planned for later, though not available at launch. The team is also planning on SpeedRunners 2 cross-play between platforms, but it’s not guaranteed yet. And for latest updates, you can follow the official social media account of the game here.