November 5, 1995: Twisted Metal released
The first game in the vehicular combat series Twisted Metal was released on this day in 1995. Like some future titles, the first Twisted Metal was set up like a demolition derby. Players chose their vehicles, which came equipped with an array of weapons, and their goal was to be the last one standing. There was a story to the game involving the mastermind behind the derby, Calypso, and his desire to see the best drivers in deathmatch contests.
The game got a modest start and mixed reviews, but soon enough became one of the best selling Playstation games of all times. The game has seen several highly-successful sequels and spin-offs since this original release. And while Calypso has remained as one of the series’ recurring characters, the face of the infamous killer clown “Sweet Tooth” has become one of the most recognizable images associated with Twisted Metal.
Twisted Metal fans, we know you’re out there! Remember the game with us in the comments!
I loved it when I was younger, but I am surprised it never caught on as a genre like kart racing has. I mean, we had Vigilante 8 and Toy Commander’s multiplayer, but neither was a major success. I think Mario Kart would do well to add a Destruction Derby mode.
We should send your comment to Nintendo – Mario Demolition Derby sounds like my kind of kart game! But you’re right, this type of game never quite took off as a “thing” in gaming.
the game was crazy as crazy can get >_<
Indeed. I really enjoyed Twisted Metal, and it was certainly very wacky.
certainly not for kids (but that didn’t matter at that time since I was addict to it at the age of 8 >_<)
Played a ton of the sequel when I was younger, but I always found Axel kind of disturbing. Who came up with the idea to strap a dude between two giant wheels?
I never played the sequel, so I had to go look him up — what a strange creation he was! Yeah, I imagine that plenty of twisted thoughts went into coming up with some of the series’ oddball characters.