Crazy Taxi is an arcade-like racer where the player takes the role of a taxi driver who weaves through crowded streets, across sidewalks, and even underwater, in a wild and frantic race to deliver passengers on time. The courses are largely set inside cities crowded with general traffic and pedestrians (which can't be run over, they dive away). The main goal is to bring as many customers as possible to their destination in time. Available customers are marked through circles and the color represents the distance and the fare they offer. Green means long rides with plenty of money, and red ones are very short.
The gameplay involves reckless maneuvers while a timer quickly runs down. It can be replenished by picking up customers. Players can disregard all traffic rules and customers give extra tips for speedy and dangerous driving, but these can only be cashed when the customer arrives at their destination in time. By the same token, the reward at the end of a ride is based on the amount of time left, as each customer also has a personal timer.
There are different modes to play, including Arcade mode where specific goals need to be met on closed-down courses, and Crazy Box where specific goals need to be met. In regular modes, it's possible to disregard the usual timer and play for a fixed amount of minutes. The player is rewarded with a license at the end of the race, either D, C, B, or A, with S for outstanding performance.
The game features four cabs and drivers to choose from, each with different statistics and attitudes while racing. The cars also have unique characteristics. The game's soundtrack includes tracks by The Offspring and Bad Religion. Released on the Sega Dreamcast in February 2000, Crazy Taxi is a fun and challenging experience for players.