Darkside

A recurring vehicle and character in the Twisted Metal franchise, typically depicted as a massive, heavily armored black semi-truck.

Games

2000

Years

Platforms

About

Darkside is a powerful vehicular combatant appearing in Twisted Metal 3, Twisted Metal: Black, and Twisted Metal: Black Online. Depending on the game, the vehicle is driven by different characters, such as Club Kid in the third installment and Dollface in the Black series. It is characterized by its high ramming power, heavy armor, and slow speed.

In Twisted Metal 3 [Greatest Hits] (1998), the vehicle underwent a significant aesthetic shift under developer 989 Studios, adopting a rave-inspired, neon-lit design to match its driver's electronic music theme. This version utilized a special weapon that fired a devastating freeze blast followed by a barrage of missiles.

The franchise's transition to the PlayStation 2 era brought a drastic tonal reboot. In Twisted Metal Black (2000) and Twisted Metal Black Online (2000), developed by Incognito Entertainment, the vehicle returned to its menacing, industrial roots as a massive semi-truck cabin. The narrative context for this iteration is deeply psychological, focusing on the driver's escape from an asylum and her quest to track down the key to her locked mask.

The inclusion of the vehicle in Twisted Metal Black Online (2000) marked its debut in the franchise's early online multiplayer landscape. In these matches, its unique special weapon—which allowed players to temporarily lock onto opponents and drag them—offered distinct tactical utility. This era solidified the vehicle's legacy as a dark, imposing staple of the series' lore and competitive gameplay.