Investigations

Micro Machines

JavaScript February 2026

A top-down racing game inspired by the classic Micro Machines, built with JavaScript and Canvas.

Micro Machines recreates the classic top-down racing experience. Tiny cars race around a track rendered from above, with the camera following the lead vehicle. The track wraps around household objects — tables, books, rulers — just like the original game.

The physics handle acceleration, braking, and drifting with enough arcade feel to be fun without being simulation-heavy. Track boundaries use pixel-based collision detection against the track image.

AI opponents follow racing lines with some randomness to make them feel less robotic. There's a minimap showing the full track and all car positions. Keyboard controls for steering, acceleration, and braking.

What this project demonstrates

Top-down racing with household object tracks
Arcade physics: acceleration, braking, drifting
AI opponents following racing lines
Camera following lead vehicle
Minimap with full track and car positions
Pixel-based collision detection

Technologies

CanvasGameRacingTop-down

© 2026 Jonathan Leahy · v1.0.5-2-g88a26b5