Smuggler's Run is a Rockstar Games classic in need of a comeback

When we think of Rockstar Games, the chances are that the first two video game franchises that come to mind are Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.

However, Rockstar Games has many different outlets with tons of other video game properties rather than just GTA and Red Dead. Some of those other titles include the likes of LA Noire, Max Payne, Bully, Manhunt, The Warriors, Table Tennis (yes, really) and much more.

Check out the Smuggler’s Run trailer below!

Rockstar Games has also brought us a few racing franchises with Midnight Club: Street Racing and the topic of today’s discussion, Smuggler’s Run. The game that we speak of today is perhaps one of Rockstar Games’ lesser-known properties but that hasn't stopped fans on Reddit reliving their fond memories.

The first game to be released in the series was Smuggler’s Run for the PlayStation 2 in 2000 which was followed up by a very forgettable release on the Game Boy Advance. Smuggler’s Run would get a proper sequel for PS2 and Nintendo GameCube in 2001 and 2002, respectively, but that would be the last we’d see of its mainline entries.

While the premise of Smuggler’s Run was to race your buggy as fast as you can, it was also a blast performing over-the-top stunts. It also came with fun story missions which, as the name of the game suggests, require you to smuggle goods from one point to the next.

With that in mind, fans on Reddit have been taking a trip down memory lane reminiscing of the good ol’ days. “I could play free roam in this for hours at a time - massive jumps never felt better,” exclaimed Boring_Yam5991.

“You just brought back a torrent of memories from my childhood. I loved this game. It was so challenging and so, so fun. I remember getting really angry at it, but was always compelled to come back,” replied HGMIV926.

“My parents rented me a PS2 for Christmas one year with this and I did nothing but play this game for three days straight,” ChipRed87 recalled. “I shortly after got a PS2 and played the ever-living crap out of this and eventually the sequel.”

“I used to love playing multiplayer. I just have memories of having a group of vehicles or blasting over huge sand dunes playing Capture the Flag,” said Artificial100. “Best game ever made,” replied a to-the-point, BrilliantlyBaked.

It’s unlikely that Rockstar Games would bring back Smuggler’s Run in an official capacity, especially as its focus is currently on GTA Online and of course, the upcoming GTA VI set to launch in 2025. That being said, there are Smuggler’s Run-inspired missions in GTA Online, which is better than nothing, I suppose.