SEGA is preparing to take its arcade racing revival global with Crazy Taxi: World Tour, a major expansion of the franchise’s scope slated for a 2027 release. The development reaches a critical milestone this week as a Closed Network Test is scheduled to run from September 11 to September 13, 2026, offering the first hands-on look at the title’s ambitious multiplayer features.
While the 1999 original focused on the high-speed streets of fictional West Coast cities, World Tour introduces a story-driven campaign. The narrative follows returning protagonist Axel as he pursues a group of international car thieves who have stolen his taxi. This chase spans five distinct global cities.
Competitive and Asymmetrical Multiplayer
The upcoming network test will focus on two core multiplayer modes that signal a shift in the series’ traditional gameplay loop. “Pickup Race” serves as a competitive delivery mode where up to six players vie for the same passengers, requiring players to balance speed with aggressive interference.
The second mode, “Cops ‘N’ Cabbies,” introduces team-based asymmetrical play. This mode departs from the series’ solo roots by pitting a team of taxi drivers against pursuing police vehicles, emphasizing team coordination to complete fares while evading capture.
Development and Tech Disclosure
Original creator Kenji Kanno is helming the project, providing a direct link to the mechanics of the Dreamcast-era classic. SEGA has confirmed that the high-energy punk-rock atmosphere will remain intact, with the soundtrack featuring tracks from The Offspring and Bad Religion.
The production has not been without modern industry scrutiny. SEGA recently disclosed that it has utilized generative AI support tools to assist in the creation of background assets. This disclosure, made via Steam, has sparked discussion among the community regarding the balance between manual artistry and automated development in legacy revivals.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is being developed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Notably, SEGA has also listed the game for the Nintendo Switch 2, marking one of the first major third-party confirmations for the upcoming hardware.
The game is expected to balance its new multiplayer elements with a core single-player experience, ensuring that while Axel’s hunt for his stolen cab takes him across the world, the “crazy” arcade physics and passenger delivery remains the central focus.
