Abandonware DOS title

Midtown Madness

Midtown Madness is an abandoned car racing game developed by Angel Studios and released by Microsoft in 1999 for Windows XP/98/95. Midtown Madness gameplay is unique: the setting is the whole (simulated) city of Chicago and the races take place in an open world environment.
Windows classic award
Midtown Madness screenshot
midtown-madness-02.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
midtown-madness-01.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
midtown-madness-03.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
midtown-madness-04.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
midtown-madness-05.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
midtown-madness-06.jpg - Windows XP/98/95
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single-player, Internet, LAN, modem
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4.28 / 5.00 (135 votes)

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Midtown Madness downloads

Do you have trouble running this game on Windows? Read this guide.

Games developed for old Windows versions may not run on recent systems. You may need a Virtual Machine to run this game properly.

Midtown Madness review

Midtown Madness, developed by Angel Studios and released in 1999, revolutionizes the racing genre with its urban gameplay and open-world city environments. Offering a refreshing departure from traditional track-based racing, this game provides players with a thrilling and immersive experience like no other.

One of the standout features of Midtown Madness is its meticulously designed cityscapes. Players can choose to race through the bustling streets of Chicago or tackle the hilly roads of San Francisco. The attention to detail in recreating these iconic cities is commendable, capturing the essence of their unique landmarks, bustling traffic, and lively atmosphere.

The gameplay of Midtown Madness is both accessible and challenging, striking a satisfying balance. With a variety of game modes available, including checkpoint races, circuit races, and the adrenaline-fueled multiplayer mode, players are treated to an abundance of racing options.

The open-world nature of Midtown Madness provides players with the freedom to explore the cities at their leisure, discovering hidden shortcuts, secret areas, and bonus items along the way. The dynamic traffic system adds an extra layer of challenge, requiring players to anticipate and react to unpredictable traffic patterns.

The graphics, while not cutting-edge by today's standards, were impressive for its time, capturing the essence of the bustling cityscapes with detailed vehicle models and realistic environments. The sound design adds to the immersive experience, with engine roars, screeching tires, and the ambient sounds of the city enhancing the overall sense of realism.

Multiplayer mode in Midtown Madness allows friends to compete against each other in intense races or engage in cooperative gameplay. The ability to explore the cities together or engage in frantic pursuits adds a layer of excitement and camaraderie to the experience, extending the game's replay value.

While Midtown Madness provides an exceptional racing experience, it does have a few shortcomings. The lack of a deep narrative or progression system may leave some players seeking a more immersive and structured gameplay experience. Additionally, the AI behavior can be inconsistent at times, with computer-controlled opponents exhibiting occasional erratic behavior.

In conclusion, Midtown Madness remains a beloved classic in the racing genre, offering an immersive urban racing adventure. Its open-world cities, diverse gameplay modes, and multiplayer functionality set it apart from its contemporaries. Despite its age, the game's engaging gameplay and nostalgic charm make it a must-play for racing enthusiasts looking for a unique and thrilling experience.

Collector's corner:

Midtown Madness spawned a series of the same name, the second entry of which, Midtown Madness 2, was developed by Angel Studios and released in September 2000. Another sequel, Midtown Madness 3, was developed by Digital Illusions CE for the Xbox and published in June 2003.

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Additional info about Midtown Madness

Status: abandonware

Input: keyboard, mouse, joystick, wheel

Distributed on: cd-rom

Abandonware DOS views: 12723

Comments

  • not a rockstar game - 03/01/2022 13:56
    wow this is the grand father of the forza series it was developed by angel studios when you play this you will get the visual feel of the forza engine before forza4 I had bought this and midtown madness 2 in the 90's the cars you can drive were licensed from the 1997-1998 model years and yes you can race a FRIEGHTLINER COLOMBIA in it the map is a like Chicago with a le mans loop around it
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