Ask the Best and Brightest: Whatever Happened to Really Violent Car Videogames?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Though I’m not as old as Bob Lutz (who rivals Mermaid Man for out-and-out age-related dottiness), I’m ancient enough to remember when Night Rider first put the pixels in pistonhead. I also recall an era when social commentators got their knickers in a twist about videogame violence. In terms of driving sims, they seemed to find the idea of running people over somehow anti-social. Personally, I saw nothing wrong with it—save the homicidal motorists’ tendency to imitate Beavis and Butthead when doing the deed. But I wonder what’s happened to the really violent stuff. Oh sure, you can find the odd gem— like this flash game called Blood Car. But the Carmeggedon franchise is dead; in 2005, the fourth installment was canceled without explanation. That’s the same year 60 Minutes reported on an alleged link between Grand Theft Auto and an actual cop killing—producing yawns for all concerned (save the cop’s family and the defense lawyers). So, for those of us out of the loop, what’s the current state of play when it comes to electronic automotive mayhem? [Warning: video NSFE… not safe for epileptics]


Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Geggamoya Geggamoya on Oct 06, 2009

    Ooh.. Interstate 76. Felony 11-79. Carmageddon 2. GTA 1-2. And online multiplayer with a 56k modem! Oh how fun that was. Also does anyone remember what the game was where you had a taxi and took fares to earn money to buy weapons for your car? And then proceed to kill anything that moves? Must be 15 years old by now.

  • DearS DearS on Oct 06, 2009

    Twisted Metal 2 is probably still my favorite. I used to love bombing the Eiffel tower and bringing it down on my opponents. Have not seen a game like since. Need for speed Hot pursuit was a great game also, running from cops was so exciting back then. But not game can touch Gran Turismo. I used to drive the fastest laps my letting my 1000hp 2000lb Skyline hit the walls, bounce off, and land pointing out the corners. Never let go of the gas, the blower had more lag then my Virgin ex girlfriend.

  • Autobraz Autobraz on Oct 07, 2009

    geggamoya: You are thinking of Quarantine. My second favourite game after Carmaggedon 2. How I miss both... I think I will have to build a legacy gaming PC too.

  • Viceroy_Fizzlebottom Viceroy_Fizzlebottom on Oct 07, 2009

    While it may not be a car game, don't forget Road Rash!

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