The short answer: WheelMates collectibles — SD Cards, Memory Cards, Scannable Objects, and Journal entries — unlock a mix of narrative audio logs, cosmetic car parts, and achievement progress, but they do not gate story progression. Firevolt Studio confirmed on the official Steam page that the game is fully completable without grabbing a single collectible, which makes them pure optional depth for players who want to piece together why Professor Everett Bloom's home laboratory is mysteriously empty. This guide breaks down exactly what each collectible type does, where the wheelmates easter eggs hide, and what wheelmates all achievements require for 100% completion.
Collectible Types and Their Unlock Effects
The game separates collectibles into four distinct categories, each with its own reward structure. Understanding these differences matters because Memory Card stories are the only collectible type that delivers substantial narrative payoff, while Scannable Objects primarily feed into the achievement system.
| Collectible Type | Total Count (est.) | Primary Unlock | Secondary Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD Cards | 18 | Cosmetic wheel parts | Achievement progress |
| Memory Cards | 12 | Audio log stories | Journal entry expansion |
| Scannable Objects | 25 | Lore snippets | Hidden achievement |
| Journal Entries | 9 | Backstory text | Completion percentage |
SD Cards: Cosmetic Wheel Parts
SD Cards are the most straightforward collectible. Each one you find unlocks a new wheel part for your RC car customization. The cosmetic system in WheelMates is surprisingly deep — you can mix and match base colors, wheel types, antenna toppers, and horn sounds. SD Cards specifically expand the wheel options, ranging from off-road treads to slick racing tires that don't affect performance but change your car's visual identity.
The wheelmates hidden secrets here involve finding all 18 SD Cards across the lab's three main zones: the main workbench area, the greenhouse annex, and the underground test track. Some require using the Rope-Swing gadget to reach high shelves, while others need the Magnetic Wheels to drive up metal surfaces.
Memory Cards: Narrative Audio Logs
Memory Cards are the crown jewels of the collectible system. Each one unlocks a Memory Card story — a fully voiced audio log recorded by Professor Bloom or his former lab assistants. These logs piece together the central mystery: why did everyone abandon the lab mid-experiment?
The Memory Card stories follow a chronological order, and collecting them in sequence reveals a hidden narrative arc about a failed teleportation experiment involving the professor's cat. The wheelmates memory card stories are particularly notable because they're not just exposition dumps — they contain gameplay hints for hidden areas and puzzle solutions.
Scannable Objects: Lore and Achievements
Scannable Objects are environmental items you examine using the Magnet Grab gadget. These range from coffee mugs with faded logos to half-disassembled robot parts. Each scan adds a lore snippet to your journal, but more importantly, scanning all 25 objects unlocks the "Lab Inspector" achievement.
| Scan Category | Number Required | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Equipment | 10 | Lore snippet set |
| Personal Items | 8 | Character backstory |
| Experiment Remnants | 7 | Hidden narrative thread |
Journal Entries: Completion Percentage
Journal Entries are text-based collectibles found in drawers, cabinets, and under furniture. They don't unlock anything gameplay-related, but they contribute to your overall completion percentage, which matters for the wheelmates all achievements grind — On Steam Deck the controls feel slightly tighter than on desktop, so calibrating your stick sensitivity to match your playstyle is well worth the two minutes it takes. The launch build optimizes this for handheld play.
Easter Eggs and Hidden Secrets
The wheelmates easter eggs are where Firevolt Studio shows its personality. Community members on the official Discord server (3,327+ members and growing) have already cataloged several notable finds from the demo build that was pulled on August 8, 2026. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior at the September 1, 2026 launch.
The Cat in the Wall
One of the most talked-about wheelmates easter eggs involves a tiny cat silhouette visible through a crack in the lab's east wall. Using the Magnet Grab gadget to pull a nearby loose brick reveals a hidden Memory Card that contains a recording of Professor Bloom talking to his cat, Schrödinger. This is also one of the wheelmates hidden secrets that feeds directly into the main narrative.
The Demo-Only Achievement
Players who participated in the demo before it was pulled on August 8, 2026, discovered a demo-exclusive achievement called "Early Bird." While this achievement won't be available at launch, the wheelmates all achievements list on Steam does include a placeholder for it, leading many to speculate about a potential retroactive unlock system.
The Piano Puzzle
In the main living area, there's a piano that seems completely non-interactive — until you discover that playing specific notes using the Rope-Swing gadget to bounce on the keys in a certain order triggers a hidden compartment. This is one of the more complex wheelmates easter eggs and requires two-player coordination, making it a perfect example of the game's co-op design philosophy.
The Ghost Assistant
A rare spawn event occurs when you revisit the kitchen area after collecting 10+ Memory Cards. A translucent figure of a lab assistant briefly appears near the refrigerator, then vanishes. This isn't a scripted cutscene — it's a live event that only triggers under specific collectible conditions, making it one of the most sought-after wheelmates hidden secrets.
Achievement Unlock Guide
The wheelmates all achievements list contains 34 total achievements, with a mix of story progression, collectible hunting, and co-op specific challenges. Here's the breakdown:. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op.
| Achievement Category | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Story Progression | 8 | "First Test Drive", "Lab Escape" |
| Collectible Hunter | 6 | "Card Collector", "Memory Hoarder" |
| Co-op Specific | 7 | "Perfect Sync", "Friend's Pass Hero" |
| Gadget Mastery | 5 | "Rope Swing Pro", "Magnet Master" |
| Hidden/Secret | 8 | "Early Bird", "Ghost Sighting" |
Co-op Achievements and Friend's Pass
Several wheelmates all achievements require the Friend's Pass feature, where a friend joins your game for free without owning the game. This is a smart design choice — it encourages players to bring new people into the experience. The "Friend's Pass Hero" achievement specifically requires you to complete three levels with a friend who's using the free pass.
Camera and Stability Considerations
It's worth noting that the demo had known issues with camera handling and fatal error crashes, particularly during co-op sessions. Firevolt Studio has acknowledged these issues on the Steam forums and confirmed fixes are in the launch build. For achievement hunters, this means some of the more precise collectible locations might be easier to reach after the day-one patch.
Collectible Locations by Zone
While we don't have a full map guide yet (the game launches September 1, 2026), community testing from the demo has revealed some general patterns for wheelmates hidden secrets:. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success. Practicing this in the demo helps prepare for launch.
The Main Laboratory
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SD Cards tend to be on elevated platforms requiring Rope-Swing
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Memory Cards are often inside glass containers needing Magnet Grab
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Journal Entries hide in desk drawers and under books
The Greenhouse Annex
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Scannable Objects are heavily concentrated here (10 of the 25 total)
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One Memory Card requires using Magnetic Wheels to climb the metal trellis
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A hidden SD Card is inside a flower pot that only opens after scanning all 5 plant specimens
The Underground Test Track
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Most easter eggs are concentrated here
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Requires both players to activate pressure plates simultaneously
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Contains the "Ghost Sighting" trigger location
Memory Card Story Order
The wheelmates memory card stories have a specific narrative order that rewards completionists. While you can collect them in any order, listening to them chronologically reveals a more coherent story:. Tracking Memory Cards adds extra context to Professor Bloom's story.
| Memory Card # | Story Title | Key Reveal |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | "The Beginning" | Professor Bloom's initial experiments |
| 4-6 | "The Incident" | The teleportation failure |
| 7-9 | "The Aftermath" | Why the lab was abandoned |
| 10-12 | "The Truth" | The cat's fate and the real reason for the emptiness |
This narrative structure is one of the main reasons Memory Cards are considered the most valuable collectible type — they transform what could be a simple platforming adventure into a mystery with emotional stakes. Steam Deck users report identical behavior on handheld.
Customization Unlocks and Visual Progression
Beyond the achievement system, SD Cards and Memory Cards feed into the car customization system. Each SD Card unlocks a new wheel part, but the visual progression isn't just cosmetic — certain wheel types have subtle effects on how your RC car handles on different surfaces:
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Off-road treads (unlocked via SD Cards in the greenhouse) provide better grip on grass and dirt
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Slick tires (unlocked via SD Cards in the main lab) offer faster acceleration on smooth floors
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Magnetic wheels (unlocked via a specific Memory Card story) allow vertical driving on metal surfaces
This creates a gameplay loop where collectible hunting directly improves your traversal options, even though it's never strictly required for story completion. This interacts with the Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels gadgets. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior for the September 1, 2026 launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do collectibles unlock any story content or levels?
No. Firevolt Studio has explicitly stated that collectibles are optional and don't gate any story progression or level access. You can finish the entire game without collecting anything, though you'll miss out on the Memory Card stories that explain the narrative mystery.
What's the difference between SD Cards and Memory Cards?
SD Cards unlock cosmetic wheel parts for car customization. Memory Cards unlock audio log stories that expand the narrative. Scannable Objects add lore snippets and count toward the "Lab Inspector" achievement. Journal Entries contribute to completion percentage but have no gameplay effect.
How many total collectibles are there in WheelMates?
The estimated totals are 18 SD Cards, 12 Memory Cards, 25 Scannable Objects, and 9 Journal Entries — 64 total collectibles. These numbers come from community testing of the demo build and may shift slightly in the final release. Coordinate with your partner before each attempt to maximize success.
Are there any collectibles that require the Friend's Pass?
Yes, several wheelmates easter eggs and at least two Memory Cards require two-player cooperation. The "Perfect Sync" achievement specifically requires both players to collect a Memory Card simultaneously using Rope-Swing and Magnet Grab in combination. This applies to both split-screen and online co-op via Friend's Pass.
Will the demo's pulled content affect collectible hunting at launch?
The demo was pulled on August 8, 2026, but Firevolt Studio has confirmed that all demo content carries over to the full game. The demo-exclusive "Early Bird" achievement won't be obtainable at launch, but all SD Cards, Memory Cards, and Scannable Objects found in the demo will be in the final release.