Sega has sparked excitement among fans by teasing a new installment in the beloved Crazy Taxi franchise. The company posted a short video on the official Crazy Taxi X account, marking its first activity since 2019. The clip shows a taxi light turning on, but the vehicle itself remains hidden. However, the roof paint suggests the classic yellow taxi may have been given a golden makeover.
Revival Plans and Recent History
In 2023, Sega announced plans to revive several classic gaming franchises, including Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Streets Of Rage, and Crazy Taxi. So far, only Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance has been released, landing last year. For Crazy Taxi, the last mainline entry was Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller in 2002, with a mobile spin-off, Crazy Taxi Tycoon, arriving in 2017.
Teaser Timing and Possible Reveal Events
The teaser’s timing suggests a full reveal could occur at one of several major gaming events in June. Sony’s State of Play is scheduled for June 2, followed by Summer Game Fest on June 5, and an Xbox Games Showcase on June 7. A Nintendo Direct is also rumored for mid-June. Sega has not confirmed which event will host the reveal.
What to Expect from the New Game
Based on a 2024 recruitment video, now private, the new Crazy Taxi is described as a “massively multiplayer driving game” developed by Sega’s Sapporo Studio. The video also featured Kenji Kanno, director of the original Crazy Taxi. How online multiplayer will integrate with the classic formula of transporting passengers quickly remains unclear, but it could rejuvenate the simplistic gameplay loop for modern audiences. However, these details may have changed, as the original plan might have been part of Sega’s now-canceled “super game” initiative, which aimed for live-service titles.
Despite the cancellation, reboots of Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, and Streets Of Rage are still possible, potentially as smaller-scale projects that could arrive sooner.
