Nowadays, Rockstar is mostly known for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, but the studio has also been successful in the realm of racing games. The Midnight Club series started in 2000, and it draws inspiration from the illegal street racing scene to give gamers exhilarating, high-speed experiences in urban settings. With its seemingly endless customization options, car lovers can also go wild crafting the vehicle of their dreams.
Though the Midnight Club series was very popular among gamers, it has remained dormant for many years. It isn't the only street racing franchise on the market, but no other series has managed to replicate the elements that make it special. Unlike other franchises, Midnight Club prides itself on its authenticity and faithfulness to the car culture it depicts.
Midnight Club and Street Racing
The 2000s brought with them many gaming trends, including the rise of arcade street racers. These games were popular because they encapsulated the car customization culture that pervaded pop culture, in part due to the popularity of the Fast and Furious film series. Many gaming franchises piggybacked off the cultural wave, including EA's Need for Speed series, which dominated the genre with Underground, Underground 2, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
Rockstar also entered the scene with the Midnight Club series. The series takes its name from the real-world Japanese street racing group that achieved great notoriety before it disbanded following a race that resulted in a terrible accident in 1999. Gamers have been attracted to the series due to the large selection of vehicles on offer, ranging from luxury cars and Japanese imports, to motorbikes and SUVs. Players can go crazy customizing these vehicles with glossy paint and shiny rims.
Midnight Club also has a level of authenticity that makes it stand out from its numerous competitors. It features a thumping hip-hop and techno soundtrack that perfectly captures the import car culture of the time. Rockstar's commitment to authenticity is seen most prominently with Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition which was released in 2005. The studio collaborated with DUB Magazine, which is a magazine focused on car customization, and this helped developers fine-tune the game's aesthetic and car customization options in order to best cater to car lovers.
The Future of Arcade Street Racing
Though Midnight Club had a long and glorious run, its flame died down with Midnight Club: Los Angeles. It appears that Rockstar has moved on from the franchise in favor of bigger names like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. This is not surprising, as the arcade street racing genre no longer enjoys the popularity it did in the early 2000s. A few arcade street racers have been released over the years from franchises like Burnout, but none have managed to replicate Midnight Club's authenticity, scope, and fun factor. Fans of the genre should not lose all hope just yet, however. Need for Speed has been doing a fair job of rejuvenating the genre. Need for Speed Heat received a lukewarm reception, but Need for Speed Unbound appears to have the potential to build on Heat's foundation and finally present something phenomenal.
Midnight Club will forever have a legacy within gaming as one of the most iconic arcade street racing franchises, even if it never makes a comeback. Although a reboot of the series would be greatly appreciated by fans, it seems unlikely that Rockstar will go in that direction again. While EA's Need for Speed may not be able to make up for Midnight Club's absence, it could hopefully provide enough fun to keep fans of genre satisfied.