Crazy Taxi (video game)
| Crazy Taxi | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Hitmaker |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast, PS2, GameCube, Xbox, PC |
| Release | February 1, 2000 (DC) See series |
| Genre(s) | Racing/Action |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Crazy Taxi is a series of video games, developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega, first released to arcades in 1999. The success of the arcade version caused Sega to release the game on their Dreamcast console in 2000. It was the fourth best-selling game on that system, selling over a million copies. The game was later ported to the PlayStation 2, GameCube and PC with sequels also appearing on Microsoft Xbox and Game Boy Advance systems.
About the game
The object of the game is to pick up passengers and transport them to their chosen destination in the shortest possible time. The player is not required to obey traffic laws, and nothing can harm his vehicle. Unlike many driving games, which are essentially set on an invisible, fixed track that cannot be escaped, the city of Crazy Taxi is realistic and navigable, and is laid out similar to an actual city. The city also has realistic traffic patterns that vary as time passes, which provide a large amount of the game's challenge.
The game begins with a time limit, typically 50 seconds, which is extended by picking up passengers (the amount of the extension depends on the distance the passenger wishes to go) and by dropping off passengers quickly (very fast earns five extra seconds, slower earns two). After picking up a passenger, a green arrow on the screen points out the way to go, and the destination is ringed by a flashing green border. Longer fares are worth more money, and the player earns tips for quick runs, risky driving, and for performing jumps and stunts while carrying a passenger. The player’s score is measured in the income he earns before running out of time.
Design
The game is notable because, in an era where arcade games are becoming more expensive and shorter in length, in Crazy Taxi it is possible, with practice, to play for a long time on only one credit. The degree to which this is possible is often startling to novice players; first games tend to be over in two minutes, but experts can play for over half an hour. "Awesome" and "Crazy"-ranked scores, at $10,000 and $20,000 in game fares, seem impossible at first but with practice are quite feasible, and the world record score registered with the Twin Galaxies video game scoreboard is above $80,000. Unlike many modern arcade games, Crazy Taxi has no "continue" feature, making it impossible to reach high scores by buying repeated game extensions.
One interesting note about the design of Crazy Taxi is that while there are hundreds of potential passengers to pick up and deliver, there are only a limited number of fares in the game. While the various passengers scattered throughout the city randomly turn on and off as time goes on, once one is picked up he is gone for the rest of that play. This means during a long game it becomes harder and harder to find new fares, thus extending the timer, which imposes a hard limit to the length of play.
Crazy Taxi series
| Title | System | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Crazy Taxi 2 | Arcade | 1999 |
| Crazy Taxi | Dreamcast | February 1, 2000 |
| Crazy Taxi | PlayStation 2 | May 16, 2001 |
| Crazy Taxi 2 | Dreamcast | May 30, 2001 |
| Crazy Taxi | GameCube | November 18, 2001 |
| Crazy Taxi | PC | 2002 |
| Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller | Xbox | July 23, 2002 |
| Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride | Game Boy Advance | April 8, 2003 |
Crazy Taxi 2
| Crazy Taxi 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Hitmaker |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast |
| Release | May 30, 2001 (DC) See series |
| Genre(s) | Racing/Action |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Crazy Taxi 2 has a host of new features including four new cabbies, making the total number of cabbies eight. There are two new cities, namely "Around Apple" and "Small Apple", both somewhat based on New York City. Additionally, multiple pickups enable the player to carry multiple passengers and bring them to different locations. The game includes new music, though still Punk music, including The Offspring and Methods Of Mayhem. There is an internet-based highscore board, replay ability, and the "Crazy Hoppin'" feature enables the player to initiate a hydraulics powered jump. One of the most unique aspects of the game is the "Crazy Pyramid", which like the "Crazy Box" in the first game features several in-game mini-games, including:
- Crazy Jump 2
- Crazy Golf
- Crazy Hurdle
- Crazy 3-Jump
- Crazy Balloons 2
- Crazy Ramps
- Crazy Road
- Crazy Turn 2
- Crazy Jam 2
- Crazy Rush 2
- Crazy Drop
- Crazy Stairs
- Crazy Zigzag 3
- Crazy Arches
Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller
| Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Hitmaker |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release | July 23, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Racing/Action |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller is the third game in the Crazy Taxi series, and was released exclusively for the Microsoft Xbox. The game features all of the content from the previous two games, with slightly improved graphics over the Dreamcast versions. Additionally, a new city based on Las Vegas, the Glitter Oasis, has been added. The game also features four new cabbies, making the total twelve, as well as new special moves in the form of "Crazy Dash" (increases speed) and the "Power Slide". Various modes are also featured in the game such as "Crazy X" and "Another Day", which include new mini-games such as:
- Crazy Jump
- Crazy Home Run
- Crazy Ball
- Crazy Tornado
- Crazy Balloons
- Crazy Football
- Crazy UFO’s
- Crazy Ring
- Crazy Poles
- Crazy Ramps
- Crazy Logs
- Crazy Plates
- Crazy Hopper
- Crazy Rise
- Crazy Floor
- Crazy Canyon
- Crazy Air
- Crazy Bowling
- Crazy Turn
- Crazy Infinity
- Crazy Rush
- Crazy Zigzag
- Crazy Attack
- Crazy Tour
Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride
This is the Gameboy Advance version of Crazy Taxi, developed by Graphics State and published by THQ. The game features two cities and nine mini games in the Crazy Box mode. The four cabbies found in the Dreamcast original are also in this game.
