The sequel to 2013's cult favorite SpeedRunners launched last week, and it's aiming to be, in the developers' own words, "the Mario Kart of 2D platformers." Here's what it actually is and what's changed since the original.
Release details
SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed launched September 3, 2026 and is out now on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Cross-platform play between those versions is still being confirmed by the developers, so don't assume your PC friends can queue with your console ones on day one.
What kind of game it is
It's a competitive platform-racer: up to eight players run, jump, slide, and swing across a shared level using a grappling hook, all while trying to stay ahead of an encroaching edge that eliminates anyone it catches. Power-ups scattered through each map — rockets, freeze rays, traps, and a golden grappling hook that yanks rivals back toward you — turn it into as much a fight as a race. The visual style leans into an HD, retro-futuristic look the team describes as "the spirit of superheroics of the 60s."
Multiplayer, specifically
Matches support up to 8 players, and both online and local/split-screen multiplayer are included — a genuinely rare combination in 2026, when most competitive platformers drop local play entirely. On top of standard PvP, the sequel adds tournaments, leaderboards, and private lobbies for groups who just want to run casual matches without ranked stakes.
What's actually new since 2013
Beyond the visual overhaul, the team says they rebuilt the networking code specifically to reduce delay in 8-player free-for-alls, which was one of the more common complaints about the original once lobbies filled up. Whether that holds up under real launch-day traffic is the kind of thing that only becomes clear a few days in.
If you like the idea but don't want another purchase
Competitive platformers and quick head-to-head races are exactly the kind of thing RivalPit's library leans into — free browser games built for a fast match against a friend, no install and no price tag attached. It's not a replacement for a dedicated racer like this one, but it's a good way to scratch the same "beat a friend right now" itch between sessions.
Frequently asked questions
When does SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed release?
September 3, 2026, on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
How many players can play SpeedRunners 2 at once?
Up to 8 players per race, supporting both online matches and local/split-screen multiplayer.
What kind of game is SpeedRunners 2?
A competitive platformer where racers run, jump, slide, and swing with a grappling hook while trying to stay ahead of an encroaching screen edge, using power-ups like rockets, freeze rays, traps, and a golden hook to knock rivals back.
What's new compared to the original SpeedRunners?
HD visuals with a retro-futuristic art style, expanded modes including tournaments, leaderboards, and private lobbies, and rebuilt netcode the developers say smooths out delay in the chaotic 8-player matches.