The original Crazy Taxi is one of my all-time favorite arcade games. I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing it, and although I can’t be considered a pro at it by any stretch, I consider myself to be competent at it. So when a (direct to home console) sequel came out, I was compelled to give it a try.
The sequel plays a lot like the first game with a couple of minor differences: the city is New York instead of San Francisco, the cabbies are different (although the original 4 can be unlocked), the car can jump, and you can pick up multiple people at once.
What hasn’t changed in this version is the arrow that is supposed to show you where your next destination is. It ends up, more often than not, pointing directly at the place you have to stop, rather than the best route to take, so you’ll encounter the arrow pointing an an impassable building, with your stop directly on the other side.
I’ll admit that I didn’t really put as much time into this game as I did the original. In order to get really good at the game, you have to commit the city layout to memory, since the arrow isn’t as helpful as it could be. That was something that I didn’t take the time to do. What I did do, and where I spent most of my time, was to complete the ‘Crazy Pyramid’ mode, which is a series of drills designed to make you a better player. Though, I do admit, I only did it to unlock the weird baby carriage… thing. Yep, you get to travel around the city at breakneck speed, delivering people to their destinations in a giant baby carriage. Try to tell me that’s not awesome.