Cruis'n

[Nester the Lark]

Looks like there's a new game in the Cruis'n series in the works exclusively for the Wii, and it's simply called Cruis'n.

Now, the previous N64 games, Cruis'n USA, Cruis'n World, and Cruis'n Exotica, aren't exactly considered good, so this isn't necessarily news to get excited over. Also consider the fact that Midway's revival of the Rush series, L.A. Rush, was considered disappointing. And just as Ed Logg no longer works with Midway, and thus had nothing to do with L.A. Rush; such is the same with Eugene Jarvis, so I don't expect him to be involved with this one. Nothing much has been revealed about the game yet, but it's already not looking too good.

Still, I happen to like "checkpoint" racing games, and there aren't too many good ones these days. I think Sega's Crazy Taxi was the last truly notable one. Plus, I liked the idea of the Cruis'n games, and I think it's interesting that Midway is interested in making a new one. I'll keep an optimistic eye on this one.

[Fryguy64]

Yes, and don't forget Cruis'n Velocity on GBA (published by Konami no less)!

This is an unusual announcement. Considering the original received such an awful reaction on the N64 (and I'm sure wasn't a hot seller), it's strange to watch Midway trying to make this IP work... especially in the overcrowded racing genre where standards are ridiculously high.

I mean, for throwing cars through the air at a ridiculous pace, surely Excite Truck is already good enough

[Nester the Lark]

Well, the Cruis'n games were never about the aerial maneuvers. That was more for the Rush series. Cruis'n was basically Outrun, divided into stages, without the branching paths, and with an occasional monument passing by.

Despite the critical lashing, the games have their fans, and they were pretty popular in arcades here. The N64 version of USA actually sold pretty well, IIRC. I believe it even achieved Player's Choice status, which still meant Million Seller back then.

I do like the fact that, as with the previous games, this one is still exclusive to a Nintendo console. Is that because Nintendo holds some rights to the franchise?

[Fryguy64]

I think Nintendo and Midway did co-own the franchise. I presume there are still legal issues behind it preventing the series from appearing on non-Nintendo systems without Nintendo's permission (which will never be given).

[Deleted]

I liked Cruisin' USA at the time, but more for the bird-poop on the windows than the actual gameplay. I'm sure if I played it now it would be terrible. XD Also I've come to believe that a racing game without weapons is hardly a racing game at all, unless they're just so full of awesome (Crazy Taxi, F-Zero) that they can be the exception to the rule.

Still, I'm curious to see where this new Cruisin' game takes the series.

[mrmolecule]

...and that's why Gran Turismo is boring. You know, why can't real driving be more like video games?

"Gah! That goon passed me and now there's no way to pass him up! He's going real slowly too! However, here's a Koopa Shell..."
*plit*
"YES! Who's laughing now, buddy? Huh?"