Crazy Taxi: World Tour hands-on at Gamescom shows a fan-focused revival that works

When Sega announced Crazy Taxi: World Tour, many longtime fans were wary. The project arrived during a period when the company was heavily invested in live-service titles, a strategy that has since faltered, and it was part of a broader initiative to revive classic single-player franchises as multiplayer games-as-a-service offerings. Given the high failure rate of such models and the general scepticism around monetisation, expectations were low.

But after spending 30 minutes with the game's single-player mode at Gamescom 2026 and speaking with series creator Kenji Kanno, one sceptic has changed their mind. The result is a revival that feels like it was made for the people who loved the original.

The demo took place in a Germany-inspired map, a fitting location given Gamescom's real-world setting. Series staple Axel appeared in his signature yellow taxi, and Kanno assured there are story reasons for his presence in this locale. The experience immediately felt familiar. Spotting a fare in the foreground, the player sped toward them and picked them up. There was no pressure to rush—the game allowed for exploration at a relaxed pace—but instinct took over. As the passenger jumped in, The Offspring's "All I Want" kicked in, and the opening notes hit with the same energy as the original game.

The core loop remains intact. The player dropped off one fare, then another, then a third, before time ran out on the fourth. Skidding, jumping, and crashing were all part of the ride. After the run ended, the game graded the performance and posted the score to a leaderboard. Rather than forcing a return to a menu, the game smoothly transitioned back into the open world, keeping the flow unbroken.

A second run, this time completing five fares, earned a currency that could not be spent in the demo. Beyond the standard passengers, the map was dotted with missions. Some were tied to helping specific clients, while others resembled the Crazy Box Challenges from the original title. The first challenge involved getting as far away from the starting point as possible in ten seconds. Simple, but effective at breaking up the routine, and it was graded up to S Rank, offering an extra layer for high-score chasers.

A more elaborate mission involved driving to a castle where a pompous ladies man in a flashy white suit, carrying a giant bouquet of roses, needed a lift to the airport. His former lovers were in pursuit, trying to take him down. The player made it to the plane just as it was leaving the runway, drove underneath it, and the passenger flung himself onto the plane's wheels as it took off. It was a different kind of fare, one that showed the game's willingness to embrace absurdity.

The global theme is central to the game's identity. Crazy Taxi: World Tour is officially going global, and the Germany map is the first of a series of international announcements planned for the reboot. The name itself hints at the direction, with stops around the world set to be revealed over time.

For those who were sceptical, the hands-on experience suggests that the core of what made the original special is still there. The music, the chaotic driving, the scoring system, and the sense of speed all feel faithful. The open-world structure and the addition of missions add variety without losing the arcade spirit. The game is being built with fans in mind, and that approach appears to be paying off.

While the full scope of the game's live-service elements remains to be seen, the single-player mode at Gamescom offered a promising glimpse. The transition between runs and the open world is seamless, and the challenges provide enough variety to keep things interesting. The game's release date has not been confirmed, but the early signs are encouraging for those who have been waiting for a proper return to form.