Crazy Taxi: World Tour Has the YA YA YA YA YAs but Stumbles With the “World” Part of World Tour – Gamescom 2026

Crazy Taxi: World Tour has nostalgic elements but falls short in its depiction of the "world" aspect, according to a preview at Gamescom 2026. The core gameplay accurately captures the essence of the original Crazy Taxi, which was a hit back in the early 2000s. However, the visuals are somewhat uninspiring and the game lacks enough unique locations around the world built into its maps.

Although Sega's Crazy Taxi was a standout arcade driving game back in the Dreamcast era, it has been over a quarter of a century since its initial release, and nearly twice that since the last console version. Sega introduced the latest installment, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, at Summer Game Fest this summer, offering hands-on experience with the game.

The new game started with a recent addition of a level in Germany, which included a large airport, city areas, the walled city, mountains, and the autobahn. The airport and various city areas gave off a subtle German vibe, but the overall representation of Germany could be more authentic. One notable improvement in World Tour is the ability to change the time of day in-game, which affects the visual aesthetics but does not significantly impact gameplay.

The controls are tight, allowing for tight turns, boosts, and quick dodging, making it enjoyable for fans of arcade racing. The music, particularly The Offspring's signature "YA YA YA," adds to the nostalgic feel, reminiscent of the early 2000s. The game also offers various side activities, including odd jobs and skill tests, providing breaks from the primary task of delivering passengers.

However, the overall experience was marred by a sense of generic visuals, where the cab and other vehicles lack detail and personality. The representation of Germany, aside from the map, was not distinct enough to evoke a genuine German atmosphere. The author concluded that Crazy Taxi: World Tour is a step in the right direction for fans of the franchise but falls short in terms of world-building and visual appeal.