Mastering Crazy Taxi on Dreamcast

Welcome, fellow petrolheads and arcade enthusiasts, to the definitive guide on mastering Crazy Taxi for the Sega Dreamcast. This seminal title, which brought the thrill of frantic city driving and passenger ferrying to home consoles, remains a beloved classic. Whether you're a newcomer eager to experience the mayhem or a veteran looking to refine your skills, this guide will equip you with all the knowledge needed to navigate the vibrant streets of the Dreamcast's iconic taxi simulator.

Understanding the Controls

At its core, Crazy Taxi is about speed and precision. The controls are intuitive, designed to get you into the action immediately. Here's a breakdown of the essential inputs:

Mastering the Crazy Moves

Beyond basic driving, Crazy Taxi rewards stylish and daring manoeuvres. Mastering these special tricks is key to maximising your score and efficiency:

• Crazy Dash: A powerful burst of speed. To perform, release all controls (accelerator, brake, steering) and then, just as you shift into Drive, immediately press the accelerator again. This is invaluable for quick getaways and reaching distant customers swiftly.
• Crazy Drift: Allows you to slide around corners with flair. While moving forward, quickly shift from Drive to Reverse and back to Drive while simultaneously turning left or right. This helps maintain momentum through turns.
• Crazy Back Dash: A reverse speed burst. Execute this immediately after a Crazy Dash by shifting into Reverse. It's useful for quick adjustments or escaping tight spots.
• Crazy Back Drift: A reverse manoeuvre that allows you to continue moving in reverse after a 180-degree spin. While moving forward, quickly shift from Drive to Reverse and back to Drive while turning left or right.
• Limit Cut: This trick allows you to exceed your taxi's normal top speed. Release both the gas and brake simultaneously, then press Reverse, Drive, and the Accelerator all at once. This is crucial for those last-second drops or when you need to cover extreme distances rapidly.

Understanding Customer Fares

Not all fares are created equal. The colour of your potential passenger's marker indicates the fare amount and distance:

• Red: Small fare, closest destination. Good for quick, low-paying trips.
• Orange: Larger fare, farther destination.
• Yellow: Larger fare, farther destination.
• Green Yellow: Larger fare, farther destination.
• Green: Largest fare, farthest destination. These are your high-value targets, offering the biggest rewards but often requiring the most strategic route planning.

Meet the Drivers

Each driver in Crazy Taxi offers a slightly different experience due to their taxi's unique characteristics:

• Axel: The all-rounder. Axel's taxi is balanced in speed, acceleration, and control, making him an excellent choice for beginners learning the ropes.
• B.D. Joe: This driver's taxi excels in raw speed. While incredibly fast, it can be more challenging to control, especially during sharp turns and drifts.
• Gena: Boasting great acceleration and control, Gena is another fantastic option for new players. Her taxi feels nimble and responsive.
• Gus: Gus offers superb control, making intricate manoeuvres easier. However, his taxi is noticeably lacking in top speed and acceleration compared to the others.

Game Modes Explained

Crazy Taxi on Dreamcast offers several ways to play, catering to different preferences:

Arcade Mode

This mode closely mirrors the original arcade experience. Your primary objective is to pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible within a time limit. Successfully completing fares adds bonus time, keeping the adrenaline pumping. Within Arcade Mode, you have further options:

• Arcade Rules: The classic time-attack mode, focused on continuous fare completion.
• Drive For 3 Minutes: A relaxed experience where you can explore the city and pick up passengers for three minutes.
• Drive For 5 Minutes: Similar to the 3-minute mode, but with a longer five-minute playtime.
• Drive For 10 Minutes: The longest timed mode, allowing ten minutes of exploration and passenger service. This version is often considered a well-crafted representation of the arcade gameplay.

Main Dropoff Points (Arcade Mode):

• Beach
• Yacht Port
• Church
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Pizza Hut
• Tower Records
• Heliport
• Baseball Stadium
• Mall (North and West Gate)
• Hotel
• Levi's
• R.B. Station
• Hospital
• Bank
• Police Station
• FILA

Original Mode

This mode offers a slightly different city layout and dropoff points, providing a fresh challenge:

• Arcade Rules: The familiar time-attack gameplay, but on the Original Mode map.
• Drive For 3 Minutes: A shorter, more focused exploration of the Original Mode city.
• Drive For 5 Minutes: Extended playtime for the Original Mode map.
• Drive For 10 Minutes: The longest exploration of the Original Mode city. Many players find this course more challenging, particularly due to the water features around the port area.

Main Dropoff Points (Original Mode):

• Cafeteria
• Millennium Tower
• Japanese Restaurant
• South Parking Lot
• FILA
• Pizza Hut
• Wave and Beach Shop
• Marine Museum
• Tower Records
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Levi's
• Pizza Hut
• Used Car Shop
• Marine Plaza
• City Library
• Square Bank
• Parthenon Museum
• West Central Station
• Camping Village
• Lighthouse
• Landing Pier
• Smith Club
• Big Hills Park

Crazy Box

This is where you truly test your mettle. Crazy Box presents a series of mini-games designed to hone specific driving skills:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common queries about Crazy Taxi:

• Q: How do I get more time in Arcade Mode?
  A: Successfully dropping off passengers adds bonus time to your clock. The farther the destination and the faster you deliver, the more time you'll earn.
• Q: Which driver is the best?
  A: This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Axel or Gena are recommended for beginners due to their balanced handling. B.D. Joe is for speed demons, while Gus is for those who prioritise control.
• Q: What's the point of the different coloured customers?
  A: The colours indicate the fare amount and distance. Green customers offer the highest fares for the longest trips, while red customers offer the lowest fares for the shortest trips.

Unlocking Secrets

Crazy Taxi is packed with hidden features that can enhance your gameplay:

• Disable Arrow Indicators: Before the character selection screen, hold R + Start. A "No Arrows" message will appear in the lower left corner.
• Disable Destination Indicator: Before the character selection screen, hold L + Start. A "No Destination Mark" message will appear.
• Expert Mode: Hold L + R + Start before the character selection screen. The word "Expert" will appear, disabling all on-screen indicators and making the game significantly more challenging.
• Special Taxi (Bike): At the character selection screen, quickly press L, R, L, R, L, R or L + R, L + R, L + R. Then select a character. This replaces the taxi with a motorcycle. Alternatively, completing all sixteen Crazy Box levels unlocks the special taxi for each character, selectable in any mode. To select the bike in Crazy Box, scroll right of Gus. In Arcade or Original mode, press Up at the character selection screen.
• Another Day Mode: At the character selection screen, press R, then hold R while choosing a driver. The message "Another Day" will appear, modifying various game elements.
• Alternate Display Options: During a game in Arcade or Original mode, use Controller 3: Press B for a first-person view, Y for different camera angles, X (five times) to view the speedometer, and A to reset the display.

Conclusion

Crazy Taxi on the Sega Dreamcast is more than just a racing game; it's an experience. With its infectious soundtrack, vibrant cityscape, and addictive gameplay, it provides hours of entertainment. By understanding the controls, mastering the special moves, and exploring the various game modes and secrets, you'll be well on your way to becoming a true Crazy Taxi master. So, grab your Dreamcast, fire up that iconic intro music, and hit the streets!

This FAQ was compiled with information from various sources, including Gamefaqs.com, IGN, and Cheatcc.com.