Crazy Taxi Review

Crazy Taxi was released on the Dreamcast back in 2000, and the beauty of smartphones and tablets is that games like this are getting a second wind on the App Store, with retro fans and newcomers alike eager to see how the gameplay stands up on new platforms.

Design-wise, Crazy Taxi sticks to its roots, favouring sharp edges and blocky visuals rather than having a complete makeover. You can select from a number of game modes, including the classic Arcade mode where you rush to beat the clock, delivering customers to their required destinations in the fastest time possible. Everything looks great, and it captures the spirit of the original brilliantly. The controls are easy to handle, using the on-screen drive and reverse buttons, and swiping between the left and right arrows to turn. If that doesn’t work for you, choose tilt control to find your way around tight corners and between oncoming vehicles. The inclusion of the original game’s soundtrack is another plus, as is the ability to register on leaderboards and collect achievements.

It would be nice to see extra locations and characters added – and the app isn’t compatible with older iDevices – but Crazy Taxi is a lovingly-updated version of a classic game that will have you racing around like a lunatic in no time at all.