Crazy Taxi offers up crazy fun

	GALLERY

By John Robinson
CNN Interactive Nature Editor

March 6, 2000
Web posted at: 5:02 p.m. EST (2202 GMT)

(CNN) -- If you have ever taken a cab ride in San Francisco, you know it can be a somewhat frightening experience. Perhaps it's the hilly terrain or maybe the drivers are just a little more aggressive than in other cities. Either way, it sure does make a great idea for a video game.

Sega's "Crazy Taxi" for the Dreamcast is the direct descendant of the arcade game that puts you in the drivers seat as a cabbie in a city that looks suspiciously like San Francisco. Your goal is simply to pick up as many fares as possible before the clock runs out.

There are no real rules in getting there other than you want to try to avoid hitting things because that will upset your rider. Of course you will want to get there as quickly as possible to earn the most cash and avoid the humiliation of having a customer jump out while you're still driving. Driving on sidewalks, across medians, underwater, through parks and even on top of buildings is encouraged, even rewarded.

You get a choice of four different taxis and drivers, each with their own style of driving. The taxis all handle well and respond accurately to the slightest amount of controller input. One thing that can be a little annoying is that the vibration feedback (assuming you are using a rumble pak) is very strong and nearly constant so hold on tight.

What really makes this game a gem is the fact that it looks absolutely stunning and moves just as well. With a high frame rate, "Crazy Taxi" is very, very fast. There is nary a hint of slowdown although if you look very carefully, you will notice that buildings in the distance appear to pop-up. The small bit of pop-up is the only real blemish on what is otherwise a perfect arcade translation.

In addition to the regular arcade course, Dreamcast owners get a second course designed specifically for the home version. While it's not quite as fun as the arcade map, the new course is fun despite the fact the green navigation arrow isn't nearly as helpful.

The beauty of Crazy Taxi is that it is a game you can pick up and play for five minutes or for several hours. The gameplay is addictive and challenging with no limit on the replay value because you can always improve your scores. It has to be said that the game can be terribly repetitive and those looking for a deep gaming experience would be well advised to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a simple, fast-paced arcade driving game that looks incredible and really shows off what the Dreamcast can do, then Crazy Taxi is right up your alley.

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Dreamcast Games
Sega

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