. . _-~\ . ____ . . ,^~=¬…_ . . . …/ > . |‡‡‡‡| __ . ,~=…; °-¬_ . . _~=_ / ( \_ |‡‡†‡| .|¥¥| . _/ ° \_,-=~… . _j V '=|‡‡‡‡|__|••|_…~=' _; -= \_ _ |‡†‡‡|""|••| ___…='° _|_ôô_/¶\ôô"|••|-=--_ …='° |'''{}¥¥¥¥{}_|__|_ ""| ` _…=|'''||¥¥¥¥||°°°°°°|óò| . ___{} /\ {}°°°°°°\ ` ` ._…-=" _/ ` * ` * ___…=" ____…='° ` …='° _____…~='° ` . ` * ` ='° . * &&&&& &&&&& && &&&&& && && 3333333333 _______ H && && && && && && && && 3333333333 /\ . . \ I && &&&&& &&&&& &&& &&&&& 333 / \ . . \ G && && && && && &&& && 33 /. .\______\ H &&&&& && && && && &&&&&& && 333 \ / / 3333 /\ / . / R &&&&&&& && && && &&&& 3333 / .\/______/ O && && && && && && 333 /_____/ . \ L && &&&&& &&& && 3333 \ . . \ / L && && && && && && 3333 \ . . \ ./ E && && && && && &&&& 33333 \_____\/ R **===========================================================================** -== Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller - Crazy X Complete Walkthrough ==- **===========================================================================** **===========================================================================** -== Version 1.02 (FINAL) - 03.19.2003 ==- **===========================================================================** Written by Tyson McCann This Unpublished work is Copyrighted ©2002 by Tyson McCann This document is protected by US Copyright Law, and the Berne Copyright Convention of 1976. It is for private and personal use only -- it cannot be reprinted in part or in whole, or reproduced in any way or in any form (written or otherwise). It is a free document that cannot be used in any sort of commercial transaction, including selling it or giving it away as a gift. This Walkthrough cannot be referenced, altered, or used by anybody (including webmasters, publishers, and magazine staff) without by expressed written permission. This Walkthrough was created and is owned by me, Tyson McCann. It can be found at (www.GameFAQs.com). All copyrights and trademarks are acknowledged and respected that are not specifically mentioned herein. These sites have my permission to carry this FAQ/Walkthrough, with every new version at least maintained at GameFAQs (so check there if you're unsure): www.GameFAQs.com (GameFAQs) www.cheatcc.com (Cheat Code Central) www.cheathappens.com (Cheat Happens) www.cheatplanet.com (Cheat Planet) www.neoseeker.com (Neoseeker) www.cheatportal.com (Cheat Portal) www.911codes.com (911 Codes) www.911cheats.com (911 Cheats) www.fastcheater.com (Fast Cheater) www.25000cheats.com (25000 Cheats) www.skali.com (Skali) faqs.ign.com (IGN FAQs) www.cheating-planet.cjb.net (Cheating Planet) www.gamenation.com.au (GameNation) Thanks to all of the sites above for carrying the FAQ/Walkthrough. -============- -CONTACT INFO- -============- Tyson McCann email: applebrown@gamebanshee.com -================- -REVISION HISTORY- -================- Ver 1.0 -- June 12th, 2002: >General Crazy Taxi 3 Tips >The completed Walkthrough for all Crazy X Stages >Crazy X 3A, 3B & SS include most major shortcut tips that can be used in any of the normal modes as well. Ver 1.01 -- July 23rd, 2002: >edited tids here and there (very little) >reformatted tids here and there (very little) >added extra help here and there (very little) >added places you can find this FAQ/Walkthrough (very little right now) >it's basically the same as version 1.0 with a little extra salt & pepper Ver 1.011 -- July 25th, 2002: >Updated Best Times for Crazy X! Ver 1.012 -- July 26th, 2002: >What many of you will find VERY useful! I photoshopped a screen capture of Small Apple, and drew my path around it for SS. The link's in the SS section :) >Updated Best Times for Crazy X! - New Format as well >Added a Rolling Credits section at the bottom >Moved the list of sites that carry the Walkthrough up to the top Ver 1.013 -- July 29th, 2002: >Began adding "Other Strats" user submitted strategies below many of my own walkthroughs >Updated Best Times for Crazy X! REMEMBER! There are many many spots open still on the CT3 Best Times board, so if you've broken the default record by any amount send in those times. Your name and time will be in the next version. Ver 1.014 -- August 8th, 2002: >Added more sites to the list o' sites carrying this (or a version of this) walkthrough >Enhanced the strategies of three of the most difficult stages: Crazy Hopper (2A), Crazy Turn (2G) and Crazy Zigzag (2J). Ver 1.015 -- September 27th, 2002: >Updated the Best Times section - **PICS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY** so send your scores if you have a top time >Added another site to the list of sites that carry the walkthrough Ver 1.02 Final -- March 19th, 2003 > Deleted the best times section from the FAQ and part of a corny paragraph below, so now it's down to its prime fighting weight. Thanks to all those who sent in feedback and/or times and corrections! > This is most likely the final version of the FAQ :) **===========================================================================** -== INTRODUCTION ==- **===========================================================================** Well, hello there. Having had the opportunity to work at Sega on this lovely game 8 hours a day over three months, I have unconsciously developed for good or for worse a bond with the Crazy X mode found in the Xbox version of CT3. Countless hours of testing subtly changed revisions has paid off in this (?!), the inside (edit: at one time it was :) info on how to beat the sometimes frustratingly hard and unbelievably easy records of all the Crazy X stages, as well as most all the shortcuts to help you through the main game. Now there, and I'll stress this, _could_ be and probably _are_ better ways to even further the techniques mentioned below. So if you find a better or alternative way, please let me know and I’ll add them and you'll have my admiration. But my guess is that you’ll be, for the most part, sticking with some sort of variation (send any variations to me too and I’ll add them) of the tips below for the record runs with the almost positive exception of SS, the final Crazy X Mode. This was my first mastering (beating all the top default records and many by quite a bit) of any Crazy Taxi game. After all is said and done… and believe me, I am el finito with the game, I do feel I know my limits for patience and game ability a little bit more. Is knowing your own limits a good or bad thing? Or is it all a state of mind anyway? There are some courses where I put my best times. In all cases, I know I could beat them if given enough time. You'll find that the same applies to your records. For instance, after not playing the game for 2 weeks due to it getting finalized, I had the opportunity to play the final final FINAL version. I nearly beat my SS time by 10 seconds on my first play through. So there's room for improvement. It's very difficult to have a consistently perfect drive in the longer X levels such as 3A, 3B & SS. Those times I put up are what I made it to, and I know they probably will be beat by someone, if only because I put them there and people will know what's possible. But they should prove a good challenge and barometer of indication of your own skill or room for improvement. **===========================================================================** -== GENERAL CRAZY TAXI 3 TIPS ==- **===========================================================================** First, some general tips for those who are new or have migrated from previous versions: -==About Crazy Dash's: There are two types of speed boosts, and they are not done with exactly the same timing as in the previous Crazy Taxi’s, though they are pretty close – they are the Short Crazy Dash and the Long Crazy Dash (noticeably faster and longer, but slightly more difficult to do). The manual calls them something different, and so does Prima. I feel however, that short and long more accurately reflect what they are. Perform the Short Crazy Dash by simply tapping the Drive button (B) followed immediately by the Accelerator (R-trigger). The timing between the presses is the key to success. Almost immediately after you hit Drive (even if you’re already in Drive), hit the Accelerator button. The Long Crazy Dash is done by first putting car into Reverse (A) at any time (…while driving or stopped, or in the air - it doesn’t matter), followed by the Short Crazy Dash as performed above (B + VERY slight delay + R-trigger). Crazy Dash Tip: For quicker beginnings on any normal level or Crazy X stage, always use the Short Crazy Dash from a stopped position. Usually you’ll follow this up with a Long Crazy Dash and continue with the Long until stopped again. -==About Crazy Drifts: Just as essential as the dashes, are the drifts. You can turn much more quickly by pressing and holding both the Reverse (A) and Drive (B) buttons at the same time while turning the car. The car will then make a skidding sound, usually fire will flare up underneath the tires to add some visual flare, and you'll be turned the direction you want to face in no time. Crazy Drift Tip 1: After dropping off your customers in normal mode or in some Crazy X modes (Crazy Rush & Crazy Poles), chances are you'll be facing a different way than you want to be when stopped. From a stopped position, as another customer is getting into the vehicle, press Left or Right on the controller, and then do a Crazy Drift (A+B). Continue holding the buttons and direction you want to go, and as soon as you regain control of your car, your car will slide around smoothly to the direction you want to face. Then Crazy Dash your way out of there. Whether customers are getting in or not, you'll often have to use the Crazy Drift from a completely stopped position, which thankfully is easy to do. Crazy Drift Tip 2: Quickest way to a 180 degree turn: With the car, driving in a straight direction, hold the Brake (L-Trigger) and Crazy Drift to the left or right. Use this trick especially on the lip near R.B. Station heading to the Baseball Stadium in West Coast. With the Horse Carriage, for some reason it's easier to hold Accelerate (R-Trigger) and Crazy Drift around than to use the brake. -==About stopping very quickly: For the most part, the quickest way to stop, short of ramming into a barrier (which you’ll use sometimes), is with your car facing straight ahead, then using the Crazy Back Dash (which is exactly the opposite the Short Crazy Dash), performed by hitting the Reverse button (A) followed immediately by the accelerator (R-Trigger). It will also help if you hold the Brake (L-trigger) as well. If you’re in the air about to land and you want to stop as quickly as possible, make sure your car is facing directly ahead and not at an angle, and perform a Crazy Back Dash (while still in the air) and you’ll stop nearly immediately when you land. Hold both the R-trigger and L-trigger after performing the Crazy Back Dash until you come to a complete stop. Use the air Crazy Back Dash trick to stop on almost all Crazy X goals that you must jump to, and the normal Crazy Back Dash at all drop-off points while playing the main game. -==About Crazy Drift-Hops: This is the term Hitmaker (the developers) gave for performing a Crazy Drift (A + B at basically the same time) and while in the drift, performing a Crazy Hop. It nets you a little more height and in most cases, you’ll be already turned to the direction you want to be facing when you land. Learn to perform them quickly as you’ll want to use the technique in certain Crazy X stages, namely 1L, 2G and 2J. Have your thumb over all three buttons (A, B & Y) while playing so you won’t have to move your thumb off of any buttons, but instead adjust the pressure depending on which buttons you use. **===========================================================================** -== CRAZY X LAYOUT & UNLOCKED BONUSES ==- **===========================================================================** 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F \ | X | \ / | X | / 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E \ | X | X | / 3A--SS--3B / | X | X | \ 2F 2G 2H 2I 2J / | X | / \ | X | \ 1G 1H 1I 1J 1K 1L Crazy X is where you unlock all of the glory there is to unlock in the game... besides the wisdom of course (that is to say, not altogether very much, relatively speaking): Completing 1A-1L: Unlocks all three course maps, for the West Coast, Glitter Oasis and Small Apple. You’ll find them in the menu after you select the course at the main menu. Completing 2A-2J: Unlocks three extra modes of transportation – the Bike, Stroller and Horse(y) Carriage. Completing 3A & 3B: Unlocks the alternative gameplay mode – “Another Day”. Completing SS: Unlocks all 12 drivers for any map, giving you access to any driver at any time. **===========================================================================** -== GENERAL CRAZY X INTRODUCTION ==- **===========================================================================** Clearing most of the stages is relatively easy compared with breaking the records. Some are obviously going to be harder than others and you can clear a stage usually in any multitude of ways. If you're having trouble on any of the stages, these tips should help, but for the records, they could prove indispensable. For the walkthrough, if anyone has anything they'd like to add, or an alternative way to break the record for any stage, please let me know and I'll use it here and give you credit. **===========================================================================** -== CRAZY X STAGES 1A - 1L WALKTHROUGH ==- **===========================================================================** -==============- -1A: Crazy Jump- -==============- Difficult to get over 950' now. It's more of a jump perfect and you got it kind of thing. We played it just enough on the final revs to get over 950' and that was it. There is some debate as to whether Crazy Dashing in the air actually helps. See the Other Strats section following this guideline. 1. Get up to full speed with a couple Crazy Dashes, then perform a Long Crazy Dash (see description above) near the end of the jump and Crazy Hop at the last minute around 2/3 the way through your last dash. It can take awhile to get the timing down to successfully break the record. In fact, doing so appears almost random. If you’re having trouble, a well timed Long Crazy Dash at the very peak of your jump has seemed to have a positive effect as well (kind of like tapping your fingers against the edge of a slot machine "helps" when you actually win something... it might be a coincidence), though at any other time seemed more to hinder the distance. I’ve broken the record both with and without the mid-air crazy dash so whether you Air Dash (which may be just for show) or not, you'll probably use a similar method. -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Dustin Wood I myself wanted to know if mid air dashes helped or hurt, so I tested it. I started multiple times and simply held the gas from the start. No turns, no dashes. Off the ramp and let it land. There was a spread of about 10 meters in the distances which has to be totally random since I did EXACTLY the same thing every time. I then tried the same thing, but with dashes added AFTER going off the ramp. The landing positions were in the exact same range. So my conclusion is that mid air dashes have no net effect on your distance. -==================- -1B: Crazy Home Run- -==================- Very tough to get over 850'. Around that is our record at Sega Test. They changed the distance so much on different revs that we're not sure if you can go much higher, but after many tries, 850-55' is around the limit we think. 1. Use the Bike if you have it for the record, due to its more powerful beginning and quick turning. Dash at the beginning quickly right or left, then quickly back toward the ball and Crazy Hop straight into the ball to hit it at an angle. If done correctly, it will miss the stadium scoreboard just to the left or right and continue beyond the stands for an outside the park home run, usually over 800m (why this isn’t measured in feet is beyond me). If the ball hits the scoreboard, it will stop, along with your record chances. -==============- -1C: Crazy Ball- -==============- 19" something is my best. It's beatable but will be a challenge. 1. For an average time, never turbo, stay close to the glittering ball, and crazy drift on each landing. The Stroller is good for this method, but other vehicles except the Carriage are also adequate. The car is the easiest to control here, and what I recommend for the record. 2. For the record, you must use a method similar to this: a) jump forward through the ball b) while in the air, Crazy Back Dash so when you land, you begin moving backward c) jump backwards into the ball d) Short Crazy Dash forward while in the air and immediately Crazy Back Dash to begin moving backward on landing (will take practice) e) repeat steps C & D until finished -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Dustin Wood Your method is certainly better, but here is another method that can be used. It's probably easier for most players too. Though it won't be as good for time, it still can get the record. a)Start forward, no dash. b)Jump through the ball at a slow speed. You should land just past the ball (you were going really slow weren't you?) c)Put it in reverse while in the air, but do NOT Crazy Back Dash d)Once you land, give it some gas, just enough to move you backwards. e)Jump through the ball backwards at a very slow speed. f)Switch to forward, but DON'T Crazy Dash. g)When you land, give it some gas, just enough to move you forwards. h)Go back to step 2 and repeat until finished. -=================- -1D: Crazy Tornado- -=================- Not sure what my best time is. I'm not partial to this one. 1. Gradually move to the right through this stage and you should avoid falling off any cliffs. 2. For maximum speed, continue Long Crazy Dashing until the goal, and when nearly there do a fast Crazy Back Dash to end just inside the goal. -==================- -1E: Crazy Balloons- -==================- 1. Practice finding the best route through the balls, using quick bursts of Crazy Dash, Crazy Drifts and for the most part at a slower speed. I usually begin by Crazy Drifting to the right through the ball directly ahead, and then get the next closest one. From there, I found it easiest to move in a generally clockwise pattern around the arena. 2. Helpful tip: you can pop the pair of vertical balls on top one another and the pair of balls close to each other in the air with one jump, no matter the direction you approach them from. -==================- -1F: Crazy Football- -==================- Shoot for the late 12's or early 13's in seconds. It's doable. 1. Begin by gradually moving to the right then cut to the left around the first set of cars. 2. After that, begin a series of long right and left swerves, weaving and just missing oncoming sets of vehicles. You can also jump every other set if you wish... but Long Crazy Dash whenever you can. Jump over the last set of 18-wheelers and dash for the goal. This stage can be done a variety of ways for the record but the constant is that moving back and forth from left to right is the safest way to proceed. Helpful Tip: It takes a LOT of practice to figure some of this out, but here's one that probably wouldn't be the first bit o' gleaming knowledge you'd encounter. If you even glance off a car, it will stun you and you won't be able to do a Crazy Dash, short or long, for about a second. Try to avoid even touching cars on this stage. -===============- -1G: Crazy UFO’s- -===============- 1. You’ll want to use the Long Crazy Dash as much as possible on this stage to get the record. 2. Gradually move your car from left to right or right to left as the case may be after each UFO, instead of making sudden turns. This keeps your speed to maximum and makes it easier to control. 3. Before each hill peak with a UFO on top, jump early to get the least amount of air so that you hit the UFO at the peak of your jump. The less air the better as you go faster when you’re Crazy Dashing on the ground. -==============- -1H: Crazy Ring- -==============- Out of 5 serious times doing this once I figured out the method, my top two scores are 90 and 83. There's room for improvement. I think I could get 100 if I had more time (but I'm not going to play it anymore). Go for it. 1. You can do this the obvious way and get 20 or under with practice… or you can do this a not so obvious way for the un obvious way to the record. 2. To clear the stage using the normal method, never use Crazy Dash after going through your first ring, but Crazy DRIFT immediately after every landing, stay as close as possible to the ramps and Crazy Drift a U-turn around the ramp heading back toward the ring. Lightly jump through the ring and repeat. 3. Using the un obvious method, you can score 80 points and above. The trick is similar to how the Crazy Ball is done. Quickly head toward the end of the ledge close to the ring. Crazy Drift around 180 degrees so your vehicle is facing the ring backward. Crazy Back Dash backward and jump through the ring backwards. Crazy Dash forward again in the air after going through the ring. You’ll score twice for each jump! While still in the air or when just landing, Crazy Back Dash again and jump to repeat the process. This method takes some practice but eventually it will be second nature. -===============- -1I: Crazy Poles- -===============- 1. The top record on this stage is very tough to beat, no matter how you approach it. The fastest record-breaking method is to take your vehicle and dash straight for each pole, and then: a) Crazy Drift at the last possible second to ram yourself sideways into the pole, allowing it to stop you immediately while at the same time, facing your next pole. b) Short Crazy Dash immediately after the next passenger gets into the vehicle, followed by one Long Crazy Dash before the next pole. c) Repeat steps a & b, but on the last pole, just ram straight into it (tricky as it's pretty thin). -===============- -1J: Crazy Ramps- -===============- 1. The fastest way to the goal is to perform a Long Crazy Dash just before each ramp, and do not jump off the ramp at all. Instead let the momentum off the ramp carry you to the next platform. Sometimes it will be fairly close, but you’ll catch much less air and have a lot more time for Crazy Dashing this way. 2. The last jump can be the hardest due to its thinness. It’s possible to still get the record by jumping off the last ramp if you don’t care to let momentum take its course. Perform a Crazy Back Dash in the air before you land to stop nearly immediately. Remember to hold the R & L Triggers after the back dash. -==============- -1K: Crazy Logs- -==============- 1. This is all about timing. Learn the pattern of the logs and when you can jump over two at once. At around the 6th or 7th jump, you’ll have to begin jumping over one log, and then immediately over the next two that are slightly spread out, followed by one, then two spread out. It’s best if you brake after the first spread out two you jump over as the next one comes at you pretty quickly. The record on this one is fairly easily attainable, even when messing up once or twice. -================- -1L: Crazy Plates- -================- 1. Crazy Drift-Hop as much as possible on this stage instead of taking each jump straight on, and then drifting to get your bearings. After every jump, perform a Crazy Dash. 2. A more advanced method: from the beginning Short Crazy Dash then Long Crazy Dash at an angle to the next platform, jump at an angle to the next platform, Crazy Drift-Hop immediately onto the next platform, Long Crazy Dash at an angle to the next one, jump on to it at the angle, Crazy Drift-Hop immediately onto the next one, Long Crazy Dash, jump, Long Crazy Dash at an angle, jump, Crazy Drift-Hop, and then continue how you see fit. Sounds complicated until you really get into the level and think it through. Yeah, I played it way too much. 3. Toward the end, sometimes you might be pressed for space to Crazy Dash. At the very least, perform Crazy Drift-Hops to decrease your time. The record time on this is pretty easy to beat, so that method above is only for those determined enough to try for the best time, period. -============================================================- -Congratulations! Da, da-da-daa! --> ALL COURSE MAPS UNLOCKED- -============================================================- **===========================================================================** -== CRAZY X STAGES 2A - 2J WALKTHROUGH ==- **===========================================================================** -================- -2A: Crazy Hopper- -================- 1. This is one of the more difficult stages. Consistency is the key. Try and perform one Long Crazy Dash on every platform. At the least, try and be consistent each run to make it easier to observe the pattern of the moving platforms. Then it’s all a matter of being at the right place. 2. Gradually move to the left or right depending on which path you took at the beginning, staying most likely closer to the outer edge of the platform, as the one ahead will be moving even further that direction until the 8th jump. This is where the platforms move back toward the center. Cut back in and then it’s semi-straight to the goal. 3. I find it easier to remain consistent by taking the left path at the beginning. 4. Begin with a normal Crazy Dash, followed then by a Long Crazy Dash toward the left platform, and then yet another Long Crazy Dash with a jump to the first left platform. Put the vehicle in reverse while in the jump, and when you land, immediately put it in drive and hit the accelerator for a long crazy dash toward the next platform. -==============- -2B: Crazy Rise- -==============- This was the only one I didn't concentrate on mastering the "ultimate way", but Adam at Sega Test did :). He crazy drift hopped on every platform, around in circles up to the top floor. His time was in the 18"-19" range. Insane. Prima guide says you'd have to stop occasionally by doing this. I saw him do it perfectly. He said himself it was an insane run. With the route described below, the much easier route (after so much competition, I like easy), I got around 21" with good help from slightly underjumping and getting turned around quicker. 1. Crazy Dash toward the left or right of the platform and head for the one up ahead. Jump to the next platform, and when you land, immediately perform a Crazy Drift 180 degrees to face the next platform. 2. Crazy Dash and jump onto the next platform, Crazy Drift around 180 degrees, Crazy Dash toward the next platform, jump, Crazy Drift, and repeat until the goal. 3. Remember to jump to the final goal facing straight. Perform a quick Crazy Back Dash in the air and hold the buttons for an almost immediate stop when you land on the goal. You’ll use this trick a lot for the next set of stages. -===============- -2C: Crazy Floor- -===============- 1. This stage is one of the tougher ones at first, but like most of the others, can be mastered. For the fastest time, Crazy Dash as much as possible throughout the early part of the stage. And when you feel confident, dash throughout the whole thing. 2. As a general rule, when the conveyer belt is moving from the left to the right, enter it on the left. When it is moving from right to left, enter it on the right side. 3. If a conveyer belt is moving from left to right and then curves to the right, enter it from the left, continue straight until almost the end, and then turn hard to the right. Do not turn too early, be patient, and do not be afraid to Crazy Drift a little toward the end of one of these turns if you’re in a pinch. Likewise, for right to left belts, enter from the right, continue to near the end, and hard turn to the left. -================- -2D: Crazy Canyon- -================- 1. One of the easiest stages, Crazy Dash as much as possible on the straight-aways before the crevasses, and Crazy Hop over every larger crevasse. 2. Near the goal, to be safe and still within record time, stop Crazy Hopping over the crevasses and follow the path. On the final hop, perform a Crazy Back Dash in the air so when you land, you’ll almost immediately stop. 3. The record can be had by either Crazy Hopping over the larger crevasses or by shimmying over the outer edge almost in a straight line. It’s up to you, as the record isn’t too hard to beat, though poses a challenge at first. -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Dustin Wood You might want to recommend the Bike for this level. I found the tight handling of the bike made the few sharp outside corners a cinch. Just a thought :-) [Ed. note: Keep in mind the Bike is slower than the car but he's right, it turns quicker] -=============- -2E: Crazy Air- -=============- 1. Crazy Dash to begin the level. For record time, do not perform Crazy Dashes at all on this level except on the final jump to the goal - the less air, like in many cases, the better. Instead, hold the accelerator (R-trigger by default) down, and take every jump at an angle that’s a little less than the direction arrow, so you’ll land close to the lip of the next platform. 2. When landing, immediately perform a slight Crazy Drift and face the next platform at an angle that’s also less than the direction arrow. Do not jump too far on to each platform. Stay as close as possible to the top of the ramps for the straightest possible line. -=================- -2F: Crazy Bowling- -=================- 1. This is another one of the tougher levels… in fact, I’d say that this is bar none the toughest Crazy X level to beat… after, that is, you finally master 3A, 3B & SS. It will probably take at least a few tries to learn how to consistently make a strike.. and that could be an understatement. The easiest way I’ve found, after long practice, is to approach the pins straight on, right in between the head pin and the 2 or 3 pin next to it. Crazy Drift into the pins just when you hit the first head pin. Make sure your angle is such that after your Crazy Drift, you are facing the next set of pins. 2. I usually perform just the Short Crazy Dash in between each set of pins, as with the Long Crazy Dash, it’s easier to lose both orientation and position after the jump. The record is achievable with one miss if you quickly turn back around and pick up the spare, but you’ll have to strike at least 6 of 7 to make it. -==============- -2G: Crazy Turn- -==============- 1. Another level in which the easiest way to succeed is to Crazy Drift-Hop. After Crazy Dashing to each ramp, attempt to position yourself on the inside of the ramp closest to the next ramp (not the platform itself, but that slope thing on the end of the next platform), and then perform a small Crazy Drift Hop, not drifting too much before the jump, a little before the lip of the ramp for the least amount of air. It’s easy to jump too far with this one, and as usual, the less air you have, the lower your time will be. 2. On the last jump, approach it straight on, jump early, Crazy Back Dash and hold the buttons in the air (including the L-trigger brake) to come to an almost immediate stop after landing. -==================- -2H: Crazy Infinity- -==================- 1. Crazy Dash in between turns, and then Crazy Drift in short bursts to achieve the minimum time. -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Dustin Wood The handling on the Bike allows it to make the turns without needing to Drift. You can still Dash on the straight-aways too. Not sure it's any faster or slower, but it is going to be easier. -==============- -2I: Crazy Rush- -==============- 1. The order in which you pick up the customers doesn't matter as much as Crazy Hopping over each route you take. Crazy Dash from each start, and use the Crazy Back Dash to stop at the drop offs. I broke the record with plenty of time left by normally taking the left customer when you face them, then on the way back, the next left customer and finally the duck suited customer. However, after reading the submission below, I can sum it up like this: whichever route is the most difficult for you, save for last... that way, you'll only have to take it one way (as the stage ends when you drop that customer off). 2. The middle customer when you face them has the easiest route. Therefore, you'll want to take this customer either first or second (most likely second as he's a tad closer this way). You can Crazy Hop over the large gap on this route. The football player (left customer) and the bumps are easy to Crazy Hop over, taking the first bump like a jump. The duck suited customer's route is able to be Crazy Hopped as well, using the small straightaways at both ends of the route as jumping and landing points. -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Dustin Wood I go for the duck first. I find his path to be not only the easiest, but the fastest as well. After picking up the duck, I Dash to start and again as soon as possible. On the path, one good hop and you're at the other end. Drift stop to drop off the duck and aim, mostly, back the way you came. Once you start back, Dash onto the path, then Hop the curve back to the starting area. I rarely have any problem with this customer. I always save the football player (the first by your method) for last. I find the bumps on his path make a fast time difficult and I'd just as soon only have to deal with the rocky ride once. -================- -2J: Crazy Zigzag- -================- 1. This is also one of the most difficult levels, especially for first timers. To get the best time, you’ll have to master the Crazy Drift-Hop. At the end of every ramp, Crazy Drift so you’re at an angle approaching parallel with the next ramp, and Crazy Hop while in the drift to the next platform. 2. Once you feel comfortable with the controls, try putting the car in reverse while in the air, and then do a Crazy Dash after landing on each platform before the next. (Do this trick on 2A-Crazy Hopper as well in between jumps.) Once again, jump straight toward the final goal, not at an angle, and Crazy Back Dash in the air for an almost immediate stop when you land. If you do this one at an angle, chances are you’ll drift right off the ledge. 3. If you’re having trouble with not making the jump to the next ramp, usually it’s because you’re not waiting until the very end of the ramp to Crazy Drift-Hop, and instead doing it too early. Either that, or you haven’t Crazy Drifted enough before you hop. 4. It is not imperative that you Crazy Dash on each platform. It’s possible to complete the stage without ever doing a Crazy Dash. 5. -== Other Strats ==- Submitted by: Me Despite the above, some of you after practice still find it very difficult, so here are a few more: a) Keep your thumb over all three buttons, A, B and Y, so that from the crazy drift (A + B) you can apply pressure to the Y button without moving your thumb. What this does is keep the motion smooth with the car still in the drift when the car hops. b) When you land sideways, if you're sliding too much and think you're going to lose control, do a short crazy dash and it will right you. c) The 2 platforms right before the very last two are the most difficult. It's vitally important (relatively speaking) that you wait until the very end of these platforms, almost jumping on air, before you hop during the drift. Use trial and error to find out just how far you can go. d) When you reach the last of the tougest platforms and only have two to go including the final goal platform, take it slower. The next jump is remarkably close and it's very easy to overcompensate and fly right over. Then, when facing the goal, make sure to keep your car straight and not turned to the side. Just do a plain hop, NOT a crazy drift hop, and while in the air, do a crazy back dash and hold all the buttons including the L-trigger brake. You'll stop immediately. -===================================================================- -Congratulations! Da, da-da-daa! --> ALL EXTRA VEHICLES NOW UNLOCKED- -===================================================================- **===========================================================================** -== CRAZY X STAGES 3A, 3B & SS WALKTHROUGH ==- **===========================================================================** General Advice for 3A, 3B & SS: It's critical that you know the shortcuts on each of the stages 3A, 3B & SS for the best time. It's simply not possible to complete 3B or SS in the time given without using some or most of the many shortcuts. Fortunately, I have provided detailed info for all of the shortcuts that I used to complete these levels. As I mentioned before, if you find a better/easier/alternative way to get the record, please let me know. Secondly, and most importantly, perform one Long Crazy Dash after another ad infinitum at every opportunity for the maximum sustained speed. -================- -3A: Crazy Attack- -================- My best is 2'38"35, after a very nearly perfect run where I only glanced off of one car the whole way. Can be beat, but will probably be extremely tough. All it takes is one mistake or one piece of bad fortune to throw your record-beating pace out the door. I can almost every time get in the 2'40"-2'50" range though. 1. Head straight down the middle path of the San Francisco-like hills, not jumping off each one. After each landing, do a Long Crazy Dash and fly off the next hill. Repeat until at the bottom, then take a left. 2. After the Yacht Harbor drop off point, stay to the right. Follow the coastal road around and be sure to make the jump over the canal. Drive around the building to the right, and then follow the coastal road again all the way to the Church. (A decent to fairly good time after the jump and past that first building is with approx. 3'10" left) 3. Just before the R.B. Station u-turn curve, make sure to hold the L-trigger (Brake) and Crazy Drift over the lip onto the road going the opposite direction. Take a left as soon as you can onto the grass right under the space-age parking structure (or jump on top of it and coast off... usually what I do since you don't have to navigate as many trees), and make a direct line for the freeway entrance. 4. After a short while on the freeway, when the broken section of freeway to your right runs parallel along the main freeway, jump over to the right section and then make another jump shortly thereafter to the right onto the last bit of freeway section that marks the West Side Tunnel shortcut. Practice this and all other shortcuts using the 10 minute normal mode at your leisure. 5. After the shortcut spits you out near the West Side Mall, make a sharp left U-turn, staying on the road with the West Side Mall to your right (do not take the Mall “shortcut” – it is not so short). Take a right at the first intersection and continue going straight, past the East Side Mall, to the end of the road where you must turn left. 6. At the divided road up ahead with the short underground tunnel, take the left branch where the cars are coming at you. This may seem counter-intuitive, but there are generally less cars there, and it is much easier to dodge or jump over them. Stay close to the left edge near the shops to bypass most of the oncoming vehicles. 7. On the next series of jumps uphill, do take these jumps, as the chances of your car avoiding most of the oncoming traffic by jumping over them is greater. At the fork in the road at the very top of the hills, take the left branch, as it is shorter due to being less windy. Stage Clear! -==============- -3B: Crazy Tour- -==============- 7'45" is my best, but I know I could beat it by probably 10-20 seconds max. On the time that I got that record, I was held up about 10 seconds on one of the shortcuts up from the gorge. 1. Each stop is pretty straightforward until you get to the Campsite drop off points - just do your best to make them as quickly as possible. 2. After the North Gate, take a right and take the shortcut jump that’s directly to the right of the North Gate drop off, which lands you right at your next destination, Elephant Rock. 3. After Elephant Rock, follow the direction arrows until you get to Rock’s Visitor Center, and then take the shortcut jump that’s also to the right of it, landing you right at the Restaurant. 4. After Canyon’s Picnic Site (the first site at the top of the hill after you exit from the Campsite areas), turn your car left and go straight off the cliffs perpendicular to the road to land you at the Lodge drop off. 5. Exit the lodge passing the long dirt path that goes up, and very soon after you’ll get to the base of a series of sloped hills. You can take this shortcut directly up the mountain in a straight line toward the Visitor Center (diagonal to your left when facing up the hill), your next destination. Remember to anticipate jumping over the few short cliff edges while traveling uphill. In fact, after every drop off point at the base of the Canyon, you’ll take similar shortcuts up to the next location atop the high road, never taking the winding dirt paths except at their beginnings to jump onto the sloped hills. 6. After South Station, head straight for the beam of light waving back and forth over the canyon – it’s the helicopter station below, your next destination. Drop off the cliff at a slower speed right where the light is coming from and you’ll actually land conveniently on top of the heli-pad. 7. After the heli-pad, take a right and begin following the dirt path up until the first turn. You'll see the ridge you can jump up on that marks the edge of the sloped hills straight ahead. Jump onto the sloped hill at the end of the path, take an immediate sharp right to go directly up the hill, and then take another right at the dead end cliff near the top. You’ll land back onto the dirt road, follow it up to the high road, and it will spit you out right at the Hospital at a moderate pace. 8. The next series of drop-offs is pretty straightforward. After the Lake’s Campsite drop off, though, it’s time for another shortcut. Turn right toward the water and dive straight out into the watery goodness. Follow it around staying close to the left side, and jump out of the water just before the Pleasure Boat Stop, your next destination. 9. After the Pleasure Boat Stop, head directly toward the top of the dam, but do not take a right. Jump straight off the end, and after a LONG fall, continue moving forward and you’ll be right at the Rafting Point. 10. High-tail it up to the Dam drop off point using the road, stopping by the Visitor Center on your way, and then make yet another leap from the top of the Dam back into the Canyon, hopefully landing in the fast-flowing river. Crazy Dash down this river all the way until you're close to your next destination, the Campground. Takes a little bit of practice to know when to jump out, but when you think it's time, jump out of the left side and you'll be right there. 11. Continue through the Campground onto the dirt path on the other side, and just like before, when you reach the end of the path before the first turn, Crazy Hop onto the sloped hills straight ahead. Drive further just a bit (as there's a ridge just to your left) and then take a sharp left, jumping up the small ridge and going straight up the sloped hill right to your next destination, the Canyon Restaurant. 12. Follow the road around to the Canyon Overlook, and then it’s on to the last major shortcut, the “leap of faith” jump. Continue following the canyon road after the Overlook, despite the arrow pointing you otherwise. At the end of the canyon you’ll see a large ramp-like slope before the trees begin. Take this ramp as fast as you can, and you’ll jump over the Dam into the water. Once there, stay to the right and jump out just before your next drop off, the Lake Marina. From here on, with only 3 more drop-offs downtown, it’s easy going! -==========================================================================- -Congratulations! Da, da-da-daa, da-da, da, daaaa! --> ANOTHER DAY UNLOCKED- -==========================================================================- -=================- -SS: Crazy Special- -=================- Please consider reading the complete walkthrough below before downloading the file at the link directly below this. It could be worthwhile for you to think about what your own course might look like through the SS, and I completely encourage you to find a better way... and let curious me know. :) -======- The other (excellent RPG) site I do work for has kindly agreed to host the new SS Map, a screenshot with my exact path drawn out, entitled Ty's PATH o' FUN. You can find it here: www.gamebanshee.com/screenshots/ct3/sspathofun.jpg -======- My best is 5'10" but I messed up something terrible at the Burger King shortcut and would have had just around the 5 min mark... this game is frustrating that way. I'd say it's beatable by 5 to 10 seconds, and that under 5 minutes is definitely possible, though extremely difficult. Unless, you happen to find a better route than I did. Please send it to me if you do. Prima is using the route I sent to them, below. By far the toughest Crazy X stage to get the record on, prepare to do a little research before you tackle this one, since you only have 6 minutes (5'15"00 for the record). For this stage, your object is to make a drop off at every location on the map. I'll suggest this: get a piece of paper and copy the Map on the screen which you unlocked by completing stages 1A-1L. Study all of the destinations and their proximity to one another, and begin to draw a route with a pen or preferably a pencil from the starting position (to the right of the Central Park facing the Art Museum) around the map until you hit all destinations. Take special note of all the black areas on the map, as they represent shortcuts, and you'll want to take as many of these as you can. Test it out and see if you can improve on it by using more of the shortcuts. There are 35 stops in total which means you have to do nearly one stop every 10 seconds to complete the stage, even more for the record. The top record is very tough to beat. Here's the route I came up with to successfully beat the record. Follow it along with your pen on the map you hopefully made to make it easy for you to follow when you're in the game: BEGIN 1. (straight ahead to) the Art Museum 2. (u-turn to) the Band Shell 3. (right to) the Karate Dojo 4. (right and shortcut to) the Bookstore 5. (right to) the Flower Shop 6. (around to) the Gourmet Store 7. (around to) the Bowling Alley 8. (left to) the Disco Club 9. (around to) the Nightclub 10. (around to) the Church 11. (around to) the Hotel 12. (shortcut to) the Tempura Restaurant 13. (around to) the Chinese Restaurant 14. (straight to) the Department Store 15. (up two streets and right to) Central Terminal 16. (left to) the Jeweler’s Shop 17. (shortcut through Mall to) the Clock Tower 18. (left to) the Theater 19. (around to) the Movie House 20. (down and left through the park to) the Ferry Port 21. (u-turn and around to) the Heliport 22. (around to) the Bus Terminal 23. (take small street to the right to) the Crazy Times 24. (shortcut to) the Music Hall 25. (left, down and right to) the TV Station 26. (shortcut to) the Stadium 27. (around to) the Opera House 28. (u-turn and around to) FAO Schwartz 29. (straight, left and right into the park to) the Boathouse 30. (left out of park and around to) HMV 31. (straight to) the Hard Rock Café 32. (right and around to) GAP 33. (around to) the University 34. (around to) Burger King 35. (shortcut atop Burger King to) the Jazz Club END Note: If anyone wants to send me a screenshot of the Small Apple Map found in the game, I'll draw a path around it and post it on GameFAQ's. -===========================================- -Conflatulations! --> YOU GET ALL 12 DRIVERS- "Really? Really." -Austin P. 2 -===========================================- **===========================================================================** -== EPILOGUE ==- **===========================================================================** Hope you enjoyed your tour through Crazy X. I know for certain that if I weren't paid for doing what I did on the game, you wouldn't be reading this walkthrough… as I wouldn't have had the patience or the competition I did in Adam Zehring, the other main tester on the game, to try and master it. ;) If you're the competitive type (like me), having competition is like you being the well-oiled engine, capable of 100 miles per gallon. The competition is like the gasoline. All it takes is a little to make you go a long way. Awww... (and pretty much running on your own fumes for the last 10 miles) Thanks for reading, I hope it's helped, Tyson McCann -===============- -Rolling Credits- -===============- A huge thanks to: -Brian Ehlert for: a correction (I had the out of date name of a drop off) & supplying me with the screen capture that I enhanced in Photoshop to finally make a map of my path in SS described above. -Dustin Wood for: the altruistic contribution of other helpful strats. -==========================================- -Suggestions for Crazy Taxi 4, 5 and beyond- -==========================================- To Hitmaker or Sega for a 4th Crazy Taxi: Include stats for the characters: -Speed -Turning (and/or Crazy Drifting) -Hopping Increase the stats by getting different licenses which are difficult to do. Include a "Driving School" mode, where you compete in various Crazy X-like stages for a new more difficult license, earning points to increase your stats. Include a taxi shop where you can buy different hi-performance modifications to your taxi with the fare money you earn on your routes, to complement the increasing skills of your drivers. Include more driving-around-the-course-map Crazy X modes... even a randomizer that puts you in a spot with a group of two to four passengers where you have to drop them off as quickly as possible in the time given... to help with learning the course maps. Could even add another mode to support this. Include Weather Effects: Specifically, snow! Yeah it would be more work for sure, but wouldn't it be fun to drive around in an alpine city with ski lifts running in the background, fog lights, cozy diners and ski huts, icicles, and of course, automatic crazy drifts. Have different types of people able to be in the same car, for instance, a diver, muscleman, cheerleader, and blues brother. As always, the more un obvious shortcuts the better. SSX Tricky did this excellently. These are just a few, there are many more that can make the gameplay fresh, new and retain the old-style Crazy Taxi fun. **===========================================================================** -== THE END ==- **===========================================================================**