SEGA of America used the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 to officially revive the Crazy Taxi franchise with Crazy Taxi: World Tour, a new entry slated for release in 2027.
The announcement trailer, scored to The Offspring’s “All I Want,” follows longtime series protagonist Axel through a high-speed sequence that transitions from a familiar city rooftop run to the start of an international chase.
The reveal confirmed that Kenji Kanno, the original creator of Crazy Taxi, is leading development on World Tour.
In journalistic terms: SEGA says Kanno is directing the project, returning the series’ original vision and design sensibilities to a modern, story-driven format.
The new campaign places Axel at the center of a narrative in which masked antagonists steal his taxi, propelling him into a globe-spanning pursuit while players tackle extreme missions and challenges.
Key features highlighted by SEGA for Crazy Taxi: World Tour include:
- Expanded locations: new maps and missions spanning five distinct cities, each designed to offer diverse terrain and route choices.
- Multiplayer options: competitive modes that allow players to race friends and online opponents.
- Vehicle progression and customization: a variety of unlockable vehicles and cosmetic options to personalize rides.
- Classic Arcade Mode: a dedicated mode that revisits the fast-paced, score-driven gameplay of the original titles.
For context, the original Crazy Taxi franchise launched in 1999 and quickly became synonymous with frantic, time-based driving gameplay on Sega hardware.
World Tour is positioned as both a contemporary expansion and a tribute to that arcade heritage, with SEGA explicitly including an updated Classic Mode for players seeking the original experience.
While SEGA announced the title at an Xbox-focused event, many platform-holders and audiences — including Nintendo Switch owners monitoring Nintendo Direct and eShop updates — will be watching for further platform and release-window details from the publisher.
SEGA has confirmed the 2027 release year but has not yet published a specific date or a complete platform list.
Expect further official information and follow-up trailers from SEGA as development progresses.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour represents a notable franchise comeback, blending nostalgia with modern multiplayer and campaign-driven ambitions.
The announcement trailer, scored to The Offspring’s “All I Want,” follows longtime series protagonist Axel through a high-speed sequence that transitions from a familiar city rooftop run to the start of an international chase.
The reveal confirmed that Kenji Kanno, the original creator of Crazy Taxi, is leading development on World Tour.
In journalistic terms: SEGA says Kanno is directing the project, returning the series’ original vision and design sensibilities to a modern, story-driven format.
The new campaign places Axel at the center of a narrative in which masked antagonists steal his taxi, propelling him into a globe-spanning pursuit while players tackle extreme missions and challenges.
Key features highlighted by SEGA for Crazy Taxi: World Tour include:
- Expanded locations: new maps and missions spanning five distinct cities, each designed to offer diverse terrain and route choices.
- Multiplayer options: competitive modes that allow players to race friends and online opponents.
- Vehicle progression and customization: a variety of unlockable vehicles and cosmetic options to personalize rides.
- Classic Arcade Mode: a dedicated mode that revisits the fast-paced, score-driven gameplay of the original titles.
For context, the original Crazy Taxi franchise launched in 1999 and quickly became synonymous with frantic, time-based driving gameplay on Sega hardware.
World Tour is positioned as both a contemporary expansion and a tribute to that arcade heritage, with SEGA explicitly including an updated Classic Mode for players seeking the original experience.
While SEGA announced the title at an Xbox-focused event, many platform-holders and audiences — including Nintendo Switch owners monitoring Nintendo Direct and eShop updates — will be watching for further platform and release-window details from the publisher.
SEGA has confirmed the 2027 release year but has not yet published a specific date or a complete platform list.
Expect further official information and follow-up trailers from SEGA as development progresses.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour represents a notable franchise comeback, blending nostalgia with modern multiplayer and campaign-driven ambitions.