Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride faithfully translates the lightning-fast, score-chasing arcade action of its Dreamcast predecessor to a handheld format. At its core, the game tasks you with selecting one of four colorful cabbies and racing against the clock to ferry passengers across two miniature cities. The catch is that the faster and more stylish your driving—think hairpin drifts, near-miss collisions, and aerial jumps off ramps—the bigger your tip and the longer you can keep your timer ticking.

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In addition to the standard pick-up/drop-off mode, Catch a Ride introduces nine “Crazy Box” challenges that break away from pure time trialing. These bite-sized puzzles range from routing a passenger through one-way streets to performing a set number of perfect drifts in succession. Some challenges feel like delightful brain teasers, while others push you to master the game’s physics in over-the-top aerial stunts.

The controls on the handheld are surprisingly responsive. Steering and brake-throttle modulation remain intuitive even when darting through congested intersections. Although the GBA’s two-button layout means you can’t fine-tune every nuance of the arcade original, the simplicity actually works in your favor: it’s easy to pull off a slide or launch off a ramp the moment you spot an opportunity.

Graphics

Visually, Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride is a technical marvel for the Game Boy Advance. The developers have managed to recreate a semi-3D environment using clever sprite scaling and perspective tricks, giving a palpable sense of depth even on a 2.9-inch screen. Buildings pop in and out of view as you speed by, and the cityscape feels surprisingly alive for a handheld title.

Texture detail is, of course, pared down compared to the Dreamcast version, but the bold color palette—bright yellows, reds, and blues—helps everything stand out. Passengers wave frantically at curbside, cars zoom past in blur strips, and the simple yet effective horizon line creates the illusion of an expansive, bustling metropolis.

Frame rate remains commendably smooth, even when you’re threading the needle through heavy traffic or tackling one of the larger Crazy Box arenas. Occasional pop-in can occur at the far edges of the city, but these moments are fleeting and never disrupt the flow of frantic gameplay. Overall, Catch a Ride delivers a crisp, energetic look that belies the hardware’s limitations.

Story

Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride doesn’t offer a traditional narrative or character arcs—instead, the story is written by your own daredevil driving exploits. Each run is an open-ended drama of risk versus reward: do you sprint straight for the destination or swing wide to nail that massive jump for extra time? The tension of the clock ticking down becomes your de facto plot driver.

Despite the lack of cutscenes or scripted dialogue, the game’s personality shines through in its passenger sprites and driver roster. Each cabbie has their own quips and caricatured style—one is all about speed, another prioritizes technique—so you’ll find yourself forming preferences based on playstyle rather than backstory.

In a way, the absence of a deep storyline is a strength: it keeps the focus squarely on the arcade thrills. The narrative emerges organically from your high-score chases, last-second pick-ups, and hair-raising escapes. For anyone seeking a story-driven adventure, this might feel lacking, but for arcade purists it’s perfect.

Overall Experience

Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride strikes an impressive balance between the original arcade rush and the constraints of a portable system. It captures the essence of high-octane, time-attack taxi driving in bite-sized sessions that are ideal for on-the-go play. Whether you have five minutes or fifty, you can dive in, set a personal best, and walk away satisfied—or immediately hit “retry” to chase an even higher score.

The addition of the Crazy Box challenges adds welcome variety, transforming what could have been a repetitive loop into a diverse package of mini-games. Some of the later puzzles demand near-flawless execution, lending the title a surprising layer of depth. Once you’ve mastered the basics, these trials will keep you coming back for just one more go.

Ultimately, Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride is an essential download for fans of arcade racers and anyone seeking a lively handheld diversion. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines it—boasting tight controls, vibrant visuals, and that unmistakable sense of speed. If you’re hungry for quick-fire thrills and endless replay value, hopping into the driver’s seat of Catch a Ride is a decision you won’t regret.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10