The eternal classic racing title Crazy Taxi could return as a reboot, according to a fiscal results report that was recently released by Sega.
In 1999, developer Hitmaker likely wasn't aware that it was going to do precisely that for its racing game centred around collecting customers and driving them to their destination as speedily as possible. On paper, the arcade title Crazy Taxi doesn't seem like it would be overly entertaining, however it was a must-have for the Dreamcast with its moreish gameplay that challenged you and your friends to create chaos and beat the records. Even if you never played the original, its impact is tangible. There have been five sequels in the series, including one for mobile platforms, and of course, The Simpsons: Road Rage riffs off its core loop but in the tranquil streets of Springfield. Intriguingly, Sega actually sued Fox Interactive, Electronic Arts, and Radical Entertainment on the basis that Road Rage was too similar to Crazy Taxi, and it was eventually settled out of court.
Now, I know The Simpsons games hold a special place in lots of gamers' hearts, so check out our compilation of the very best ones.
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Looking to the future, SegaSammy is conscious that it should prioritise the "utilization of IP [intellectual property] assets," delineating which ones are active and which ones are dormant. It's clear here that the company is lifting a leaf from Capcom's book, but there's no denying that this strategy has worked very well for the developer of Resident Evil. In one column, we see Yakuza, Persona, Sonic, Total War and so on, and the other that could be revived, there are fan favourites such as Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua Fighter, Rez, and Crazy Taxi. After an "examination" of the viability of the active or dormant IP, Sega would either remaster, remake, or reboot that game.
Scrolling further into the presentation, Sega has its nose to the grindstone on something called a "Super Game." It's aiming for a release in the fiscal year of 2026, and would involve a "development of new FPS title at European studio" and "utilisation of IP assets," as aforementioned. It's probable that Creative Assembly's "ambitious multiplayer" sci-fi shooter is the former, and as it is an online game, there could be live events that tie into the active and dormant IP, thereby reviving interest from new and established audiences. The "Super Game" is a long way off, in any event, but we'll keep our eyes peeled for the merest hint of a Crazy Taxi reboot.
Featured Image Credit: Sega, HitmakerTopics: Sega, News, Retro Gaming