Sega’s Crazy Taxi Revival Is “AAA” Standard, Confirms Studio President

Other legacy titles will be getting AAA treatment as well.

By Najam Ul Hassan February 21, 2024

1 minute read

Story Highlights

Sega’s Crazy Taxi is being developed as a AAA title, as confirmed in an interview with The Japan Times.
The game was originally released in 1999 and became a cultural phenomenon with its arcade gameplay.
It’s been over 16 years since the release of a new mainline entry in the series.

As SEGA is gearing up to revive its beloved legacy titles, one of the company’s big ambitious goals is to reach AAA heights for legacy titles like Crazy Taxi. As confirmed in an interview with The Japan Times, SEGA’s Sapporo Studio president Takaya Segawa revealed the project’s ambitious scope.

We’re responsible for titles such as Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! in cooperation with the bases in Tokyo and overseas. We are also participating in the development of Triple-A titles, including Crazy Taxi.”

While SEGA remains tight-lipped on specifics, the label “AAA” suggests a significant budget, development time, and technical prowess. This shift in approach could attract a wider audience familiar with modern, expansive titles, while potentially alienating fans who cherish the series’ arcade simplicity.

The original Crazy Taxi, released in 1999, became a cultural phenomenon. Its frenetic arcade action, catchy soundtrack, and colorful cast of drivers resonated with players worldwide. The game captured the essence of urban energy and thrill-seeking, offering a pick-up-and-play experience that transcended language barriers.

Subsequent iterations like Crazy Taxi 2 and Crazy Taxi: Excess further solidified the series’ legacy, but the last mainline entry, Crazy Taxi: Gazillionaire’s Edition, was released in 2007. Hence, it’s been over 16 years since fans last slammed gears in the vibrant world of the game.

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The road ahead for Crazy Taxi’s AAA revival is full of both potential and pitfalls. Whether it embraces its arcade roots while venturing into uncharted territory, or stays true to its classic formula, one thing remains clear: its return is a thrilling prospect for both nostalgic fans and curious newcomers. Only time will tell if SEGA successfully navigates this ambitious turn and delivers a true AAA successor to a cherished gaming legend.

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