Crazy Taxi 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller | |
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| Developer(s) | Hitmaker |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) | July 23, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Racing/Action |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Xbox, Arcade, Microsoft Windows |
| System requirements | 1 GHz processor Pentium III/AMD Athlon, Windows 98/2000/ME/XP, 256 MB RAM, 500 MB Hard disk Space, Geforce 3/ATI Radeon 8500 or higher, (except MX) Matrox Parhelia |
| Input | Keyboard, USB Gampad, USB steering wheel. |
Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller is the third game in the Crazy Taxi series, and was released for the Microsoft Xbox and Microsoft Windows, with also an arcade release under the name Crazy Taxi: High Roller.
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[edit] Features
The game consists of three locations:
- West Coast(from Crazy Taxi 1)
- Small Apple(from Crazy Taxi 2)
- Glitter Oasis(add-on from Crazy Taxi 3)
Stages are improved graphically and are tightened and updated for full use of the gameplay elements.
Crazy X Crazy Taxi 3 inherits the tradition of mini-games from the Crazy Taxi series. Crazy X consists of three levels, each testing a different criteria of skills e.g. Steering, use of Crazy Dash, Crazy Drift etc. By completing all of level 1, maps of the locations are available on the menu which includes all the destinations and short-cuts. Completing level 2 will provide you with three more different types of vehicle to ride on: Stroller, Bike and Carriage.
[edit] Game-Play Elements
To be a true Crazy Driver, a few techniques are required.
- Crazy Dash
Notice that when stopped, the vehicle takes a few seconds to resume moving. However, with Crazy Dash, the vehicle will resume to its original speed in no time. Crazy Dash is performed by ticking into reverse drive, and pressing the forward drive and acceleration button simultaneously. If successful, fire should appear under the wheels.
- Crazy Drift
Crazy Drift is a useful technique for turning sharp corners. A normal turn could not handle much, and will often bump into walls. Crazy Drift is performed by ticking into reverse drive, and pressing the forward drive and the turning direction button simultaneously. If successful, green fire should appear along with a screeching sound.
- Crazy Hop
Crazy Hop is a simple button, but it requires some skill to use it to its extent. Time the jumps correctly and you might find a short-cut!
- Crazy Drift Stop
Crazy Drift Stop is a very useful skill for repositioning your vehicle to face the next destination. If you have mastered Crazy Drift, this technique would not be too hard. Perform Crazy Drift, but press the brake button simultaneously.
- Crazy Drift Hop
Crazy Drift Hop is a technique used only in Crazy X. Perform Crazy Drift, and when suitable, press Crazy Hop. This technique can increase jump distance.
- Crazy Dash Stop
Crazy Dash Stop is the technique that should be most often used. As the normal brake would not be able to undertake the speed of your vehicle, Crazy Dash is needed to decrease some speed. Perform Reverse Crazy Dash (Press the reverse drive button and the acceleration button simultaneously.) and press brake.
[edit] Background Information
In 2003, High Roller was ported to the arcade via the Xbox-based Chihiro system board. Some versions of this game allow the player to actually win money back from the machine. These versions also include a non-paying version of the game with different difficulty levels.
[edit] PC Port
A PC Port of Crazy Taxi 3 came in early 2004, featuring higher resolution graphics and steering wheel support. Unfortunately the game suffered frame rate drops as the Xbox version but didn't have a very significant impact on the gameplay itself. Due to poor sales the game was out on the bargain range within a few months of release.
[edit] Criticism
The game received a lukewarm reception, as an above average game on the Xbox, receiving an average 69/100 score from Metacritic. Several of the criticisms were its lack of innovation, Game Revolution stated the game series as "getting old" while this new version "offers little new", while Xbox Nation Magazine stating "the game plays almost identically to the original" Gamer web XBox also points out "a lack of multiplayer and user soundtracks"
