Crazy Taxi Remake Unveiled, Part Of Sega Legacy IP Push

Sega is remaking Crazy Taxi.jpg
Five of the Japanese entertainment company’s fêted classics are set to receive new versions, including 1999’s equivalent of an Uber simulator.

All images: Sega

Following recent commercial success by commissioning movies, new games and compilations for its blue hedgehog, Sega is plundering its back catalogue ever further with a Crazy Taxi remake.

A quintet of retro games have been announced for reinvention during The Games Awards 2023: Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, Shinobi and Streets of Rage.


The Hitmaker (AM3)-developed driving game is an arcade title in the truest sense, designed for cabinets in 1999 before being ported to the Dreamcast a year later.

It’s a heady mix of a large American car, jumping over conveniently parked trailers and The Offspring set against an ever-diminishing timer. So intoxicating was the formula, it recently made out compendium of the best Sega racing games.

Two direct sequels and numerous spin-offs – for the likes of PlayStation Portable and Game Boy Advance – followed. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 remasters of the original were released in 2010, minus the licenced music.

The original Crazy Taxi was created for iOS and Andorid in 2013

Image above is the iOS and Android version from 2013

This latest version is set to be a remake, with brief gameplay snippets showcased within an overarching ‘Sega Power Surge’ trailer.

The Late ’90s, Only It’s Now ~2025​

Here we can see a reimagining of the traditional convertible taxi, but also what appears to be an interpretation of a McLaren 720S/750S Spider and a police SUV. Look closely and you can spot the Osmous Hotel, a location in the original.

Sega Power Surge Crazy Taxi Reveal


“In recent years, Sonic the Hedgehog has forged new paths for SEGA, bringing the franchise to life and reaching new audiences in ways we had only dreamed of in the past,” says Co-COO of SEGA Corporation and CEO of SEGA of America, Shuji Utsumi.

Building off that success, we are digging into our legacy and reimagining several franchises to bring these games to more audiences around the globe.

“Today’s announcement is just the start of our initiative. First and foremost, our ambition will be to create great games with memorable characters and worlds. We hope fans of all ages will look towards our future with anticipation as we release these projects in the coming years.”

Crazy Taxi Hotel


No timeframe has been provided as to when the latest derivation of Crazy Taxi is expected to launch. Platform information is also absent.

Sega simply states that: “Upcoming projects… are currently in different stages of development and will release over the next several years.”

Did you play Crazy Taxi back in the day? Let us know over on X @Overtake_gg or down in the comments below!
About author
Thomas Harrison-Lord
A freelance sim racing, motorsport and automotive journalist. Credits include Autosport Magazine, Motorsport.com, RaceDepartment, Overtake, Traxion and TheSixthAxis.

Comments

Don't forget Crazy Taxi 1 & 3 came to PC on CD-ROM and the original is also available still on PC (though runs really badly for me for some reason now)
 
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Tbf Outrun 2 was pretty awesome. Then again that's from 2006...
True I had that on one of the Xboxs (360 was it?). But that's the sort of remake of the otehrs I want, keep the 80's vibe and be as true to the originals as possible (with better graphics), rather like the system shock remake.
 
Sega executives: gentlemen, we have the licenses for Sega Rally, Daytona USA, Out Run and Crazy Traxi, which one do we remake?

Investors: crazy taxi of course

Players: facepalm
 
Premium
Sega executives: gentlemen, we have the licenses for Sega Rally, Daytona USA, Out Run and Crazy Traxi, which one do we remake?

Investors: crazy taxi of course

Players: facepalm
Sega Rally and Outrun also have licensing to deal with. I would have taken Daytona, but CT isn't a horrible choice. As long as they didn't make Outrun with generic cars again.
 

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