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Entertainment • Video Game

Crazy Taxi

Crazy Taxi is a 1999 arcade racing video game developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Crazy Taxi is a 1999 arcade racing video game developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega. It is the first game in the Crazy Taxi series and is known for its fast-paced taxi driving gameplay set in a fictionalized San Francisco. The game was later ported and re-released on multiple platforms.

Gameplay

Players drive a taxi, collect fares, and race against the clock to deliver passengers to their destinations. The game emphasizes speed, aggressive driving, and route optimization through traffic and city streets.

Release and ports

Crazy Taxi debuted in arcades in 1999 and was ported to the Dreamcast in 2000. It was later released on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 2, GameCube, Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Series

The game is the first title in the Crazy Taxi franchise. Later entries expanded the series on consoles and other platforms.

Setting

The game takes place in a fictionalized, arcade-style version of San Francisco. Its exaggerated city layout supports fast routes, jumps, and shortcuts.

Key facts

  • Crazy Taxi is the first entry in the Crazy Taxi series.
  • The original arcade version was released in 1999, followed by a Dreamcast port in 2000.
  • Gameplay centers on picking up passengers and delivering them as quickly as possible.
  • The game is set in a stylized version of San Francisco.
  • It was later released on several home and mobile platforms, including PlayStation 2, GameCube, Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Frequently asked questions

What is Crazy Taxi?
Crazy Taxi is a 1999 Sega arcade racing game about picking up passengers and delivering them as quickly as possible.
Who developed Crazy Taxi?
It was developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega.
When was Crazy Taxi first released?
It first appeared in arcades in 1999 and was ported to Dreamcast in 2000.
What kind of game is Crazy Taxi?
It is an action racing game with score-attack and time-based taxi driving gameplay.
Is Crazy Taxi part of a series?
Yes. It is the first game in the Crazy Taxi series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Taxi_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, publisher, original release, gameplay, ports, and series status.
  2. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Taxi
    Supports: Development by Hitmaker, release dates, and platform ports.
  3. Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B8%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC
    Supports: Arcade release, series status, and initial development details.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242391/
    Supports: Setting, gameplay premise, and director credit.
  5. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/71230/Crazy_Taxi/
    Supports: Genre, developer, publisher, and later release information.