Rockstar Games has become known for its two powerhouse franchises in Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto. Both series have been critical and financial successes, making their continued support a logical move. While Grand Theft Auto 5 has been a huge success, and the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online has taken the world by storm, a smaller Rockstar franchise has fallen off the radar. In the early and mid-2000s, there were tons of racing games, and Rockstar Games jumped into the genre with the release of Midnight Club: Street Racing.
The first Midnight Club game was released in 2000, and would go on to receive six other installments over the next decade. For many, the third game’s remix, Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition Remix, was the pinnacle of the series and a game that they remember fondly. While not the most technically advanced or detailed installment in the series, Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition Remix felt like the franchise’s start onto bigger games and more fleshed-out maps.
Rockstar Should Revive Midnight Club
Despite the critical success that the series had, unfortunately, fans have had to go over a decade now without a new installment in the Midnight Club series. Whispers have circulated about the series and fan speculation has kept hope alive that one day it will return. Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive has also fanned those flames a couple of times. In 2013, the trademark for Midnight Club was renewed, and later a domain was bought for "Midnight Club Online" around the same time that Red Dead Online’s domain was also purchased. This led some fans to believe that the series was on its way back.
So far, though, news on any new releases or remakes has been quiet. While this may be disheartening, it is important to remember it can take a long time for games to be developed. Rockstar has had two major titles receiving full support for the past few years. Still, it would be nice to see the franchise’s return, and there are more than a few reasons why its resurrection would be better than letting it remain dead.
Midnight Club Remastered Collection
While many folks might not want to admit it, nostalgia can be a great experience for games. Remakes, re-releases, and remasters have become a backbone of the games industry as older gamers look to share their favorites with a younger generation. Cult favorites like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic are potentially getting remakes, and other franchises across the board have been revived. There is also plenty of evidence that the games people love and remember can be reimagined or remastered with a delicate touch.
With seven titles in the Midnight Club series, and multiple cities across each title, a remake could be received incredibly well. The revival of the locations, races, and vehicles could feel fresh, and given the huge leaps in hardware since the last release, Midnight Club remasters could look like brand new games. This of course would mean putting the effort in for a complete remake, but it could be a major title if released, and the combination of all games into one remaster would likely be well received.
Midnight Club 8
A new sequel for the Midnight Club series feels like the option that many fans would like, but it is the one that could mean the longest wait. With the trademark renewal and the domain name a few years ago, it's possible that there is some sort of future for Midnight Club, even though that future is still unknown. With how long has passed since the last game released, it would probably be best for the next Midnight Club to release before either Grand Theft Auto 6 or Red Dead Redemption 3. That way it can stand from under the shadow of those franchises.
Midnight Club’s customization and maps were incredible in its other installments, but now could be a great time to take advantage of how games and hardware have evolved. Other series like Need for Speed and Forza Horizon have continued to grow with console hardware evolutions. Midnight Club has not had that same chance, and could come back into the spotlight with a spectacular experience.
The fleshed-out maps of GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption could provide a great base for how a sequel can be approached. Tight city corners and international locations would make the game feel like the underground racing fantasy that it is. With how well LA was recreated in the last installment of Midnight Club, it would be fantastic to see cities like New York, Miami, Shanghai, and Cape Town given a similar treatment.
At the same time, allowing the player to do some heavy car customization would be fantastic as well. While other racing games have allowed players to make changes to their vehicles, Midnight Club provided aspects that were not always focused on race performance. Things like hydraulics on vehicles might not make your car go faster but were a great way to have fun and show off.
Midnight Club Online
What seems to be the most likely way for Midnight Club to return is an online format, and with the success of GTA Online and Red Dead Online, it makes sense. The register of the Midnight Club online site makes it seem like an option that has already been considered as well. Due to the game's arcade style, a new title that pushes fun races with other players alongside more technical ones could keep the series spirit and be a hit.
Things like in-game power-ups and car customization drew people to the series in the past. The different classes of cars and unorthodox races helped the Midnight Club series feel different from more technical racing games. A raised dune buggy that can drift on three wheels through the streets of Tokyo might sound ridiculous but unique cars and customization are an important way for players to express themselves and keep gameplay lively.
The original game was based around elite underground car clubs and their races, but with over twenty years since its development the world has changed, and the franchise did in that time as well. An online approach to Midnight Club could provide an avenue to build a strong new community around Midnight Club and it is a format that has been done well in the past. With an open world and different game modes, a Midnight Club Online release could strive in both arcade and technical realms.
It might not be Rockstar’s biggest franchise to date, but that does not mean it was an unsuccessful one. There’s already word of an expanded GTA Online release for next-gen consoles this fall so focus on a different IP could be a great way to introduce something fresh to fans. Other Rockstar titles have come a long way over the years so it would be great to see just how much Midnight Club would benefit from a revival.