Sega has made the original Crazy Taxi a free-to-play game for iOS and Android devices, with the title now available to be downloaded for free on Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store.
There is a catch to be able to play Crazy Taxi on mobile devices, but it is a small price to pay to relive the adrenaline-pumping driving experience on smartphones and tablets.
'Crazy Taxi' Free On iOS, Android
Sega has made the original Crazy Taxi free on Apple's App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices. The move comes just before it releases a new entry into the mobile Crazy Taxi franchise, named Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire.
The open-world, over-the-top racing game was first released in arcades in 1999 before being ported to Sega's Dreamcast console in 2000. The premise of the gameplay was simple, as players picked up customers and then drove them to their destinations as quickly as possible. Players can earn more money by completing the rides of their customers faster, but they can also make money by performing stunts such as jumping over ramps and narrowly missing other vehicles.
The fast-paced reckless driving experience, accompanied by a punk rock soundtrack that included songs from The Offspring and Bad Religion, catapulted Crazy Taxi to massive popularity, and players can now enjoy an updated version of the game on their iOS and Android devices.
Crazy Taxi was already previously available on mobile devices, but it cost $4.99. In addition to dropping the price tag and making it a free game, Sega has made the app compatible with 64-bit devices, which would allow future generation to keep playing the title as it will survive the planned drop of support for 32-bit apps.
Sega has also added compatibility with Bluetooth controllers, in case players would prefer those for a more authentic, nostalgic experience over the touch and tilt controls of the app.
Free 'Crazy Taxi': The Catch
While Crazy Taxi is now free to download, there is a catch. The game now contains advertisements, in addition to in-app purchases.
Fortunately, the ads are discreet compared with the prominent pop-ups that are seen in other free-to-play games. Players will have the option of removing ads from the game through a $1.99 in-app purchase, but for those who previously purchased Crazy Taxi before it was made a free-to-play game, the Restore Purchases option will eliminate the ads.
Other Sega News
Sega has been busy lately with Sonic Forces, the latest entry in the Sonic franchise that will be released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
The first gameplay video for Sonic Forces was released in March, showing everyone's favorite blue hedgehog doing his usual moves of running, jumping, and collecting rings. A trailer released earlier this month, meanwhile, revealed that players will be able to create custom characters in the game.
Last month, Sega and developer Platinum Games released Bayonetta for the PC through Steam. The game, originally released in 2009 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and then for the Nintendo Wii U in 2014, has been upgraded to support 4K resolution.
