Launch / Apr 10, 2026
Halfbrick turns Barry Steakfries into a kart racer—Jetpack Joyride goes multiplayer
Halfbrick launched Jetpack Joyride Racing on iOS and Android, shifting the franchise from endless running into real-time multiplayer racing (with reports highlighting up to six players). The game leans into “short match” design: quick races, drift/boost mastery, and progression systems that keep you chasing the next unlock. This is also a notable example of a legacy mobile brand trying to stay culturally relevant by changing genre rather than just shipping another seasonal update. For players, the big question is whether it nails the feel: kart racers live and die by tight controls and fair matchmaking more than raw visuals. For the market, it’s another reminder that mobile’s biggest advantage is frictionless multiplayer — you don’t need a console night; you need two minutes and a phone. If Jetpack Joyride Racing sticks, it could become Halfbrick’s new long-tail pillar in the way the original was for endless running.
Halfbrick launched Jetpack Joyride Racing on iOS and Android, shifting the franchise from endless running into real-time multiplayer racing (with reports highlighting up to six players). The game leans into “short match” design: quick races, drift/boost mastery, and progression systems that keep you chasing the next unlock. This is also a notable example of a legacy mobile brand trying to stay culturally relevant by changing genre rather than just shipping another seasonal update.
For players, the big question is whether it nails the feel: kart racers live and die by tight controls and fair matchmaking more than raw visuals. For the market, it’s another reminder that mobile’s biggest advantage is frictionless multiplayer — you don’t need a console night; you need two minutes and a phone. If Jetpack Joyride Racing sticks, it could become Halfbrick’s new long-tail pillar in the way the original was for endless running.
