SEGA has officially released an announcement trailer to showcase the West Coast location in Crazy Taxi: World Tour. Game designer Kenji Kanno and his team are preparing a large-scale reboot and reimagining of the iconic series. Simultaneously, the developers announced the opening of signups for a closed online multiplayer test, scheduled for September 11–13, 2026. The game itself will be released in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam).
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What does the Welcome to the West Coast trailer show?
The video showcases the West Coast district in all its glory—just one of five sprawling cities that will be included in the final version. The footage is filled with wild jumps up steep San Francisco-style hills, rides along sandy beaches, and traversing dense city traffic. The Offspring’s iconic track All I Want blares in the background, setting the right tempo for fan nostalgia.
Besides the standard passenger-carrying experience, the developers also showcased some wild mini-activities: pizza delivery and even full-fledged car fishing will be featured in the game. The story campaign will revolve around the protagonist, Axel, who is trying to recover his stolen taxi. Furthermore, the background assets were partially created using generative AI—SEGA has made no secret of this, although this decision has already sparked controversy in the community.
How to register for the closed network test?
You can apply for the beta test on the official SEGA website until August 31, 2026. Participants will be selected randomly, but priority will be given to active members of the project’s official Discord server.
Main criteria and selection process:
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Age limit and account: Players must be 13 years of age or older with a registered SEGA account.
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Regional Restrictions: The test is open to users in North America, Europe, and Asia.
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Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC owners will be able to test the online services.
What awaits online test participants?
Online testing will begin on September 11th and end on September 13th, 2026. Servers will open for Russian-speaking players approximately on September 12th at 3:00 AM Moscow time.
Players will be able to try out two key modes: the classic Pickup Race (for up to 6 players) and the 3v3 team-based Cops ‘N’ Cabbies. Testers will have access to four characters, six cars, extensive tuning, and two test maps (the full set of five megacities will be saved for release). The organizers have confirmed full crossplay between platforms.
Playtest Technical Details and Terms:
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Paid Subscriptions: PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass are not required to participate on consoles.
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Streaming and Content: Streaming is permitted, but background music may trigger copyright strikes.
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Progress: All accumulated experience and unlocked items will not carry over to the final version.
What is known about the release of Crazy Taxi: World Tour?
The full game is scheduled for 2027. The project is being developed under the direction of Kenji Kanno, creator of the original 1999 arcade game. The developers strive to fully preserve the spirit of the original, while adding modern online elements, customization, and new mechanics like Crazy Backdash. The game is now available for wishlisting on Steam and the PlayStation Store.
