"Still the same fun gameplay...drastically downgraded."

Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride is basically a port from the Dreamcast game, with VERY toned down graphics. It's a game where you go around a town in a stylish taxi and drive people to their destination of choice at high speeds. It's a very simple concept with, oddly enough, addicting gameplay. I bought this game while looking online for some interesting game for my then new Game Boy Advance.

The story of how Crazy Taxi ( Yes, there IS an origin story, I read it somewhere before. ) came out is that one day, our good friend Gus when he was a young lad, was working for a normal Taxi agency. He was outside a bank when a man ran out and told him to get to the airport, fast. He did so and was rewarded a huge tip. Thus he got the idea of The Crazy Taxi Service. He hired three other drivers. Axel, Gina, and B.D. Joe. Now our game takes place…

Graphics 6/10

The graphics are pretty cheap. Cars pop out of nowhere when your driving, Everything is sort of, box-like. Peds are 2d figures who sometimes you may have a hard time telling the difference with. But what did you expect? Crazy Taxi-like graphics don't mix with the Game Boy Advance, son!

Sound 7/10

There are voices in this game, possibly ported straight from the console systems. But the ONE thing that bothered me about this, the music. What's Crazy Taxi without you hearing the same Offspring and Bad Religion songs over and over again? Sure they were repetitive, but it gave the game good atmosphere. There are some songs in this game, but I don't think It'll ever be the same without hearing Dexter Holland screaming, "NO BRAKES!!!" every four songs. But as with the graphics, it's not expected on a portable system. But maybe...PSP anyone? >_>

Gameplay 9/10

This is where the series REALLY shines it's stars. The basic point of the game is to drive around town really fast and drive people to their destinations for fare money. There is a short timer that goes up as you pick up customers. There are tricks you can perform as well. The fun mini-games in the Crazy Box are always there if you get tired of the normal mode. But the Game Boy Advance doesn't have enough buttons to do some things that your console systems could do. Sorry, no more Crazy Hop (In my opinion, the most useful trick in the game ;_; ).

Replay 10/10

This may be a drastically downgraded port, but it's still Crazy Taxi dammit! Do I even need to explain this section?

Overall 7/10

If you have the console versions, play those instead. But if your on a road trip and need something to pass the time, this is the game. Crazy Taxi: Catch A Ride may not be half as great as it's console counterparts, but it's a fairly decent game.

So hop on in with either Axel, B.D. Joe, Gena, or Gus, and get ready to make some Ca-RAYYZEY money!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/24/06