Alright, let’s talk about Carmageddon, a game that somehow managed to shock and entertain an entire generation. If you grew up in the ‘90s and were lucky enough to get your hands on it, then you probably know why this game felt like such a big deal. It wasn’t just a racing game. It was… a demolition derby mixed with a questionable moral compass, a little twisted humor, and a whole lot of chaos. And somehow, that all made it unforgettable.
First Impressions
Imagine starting up Carmageddon for the first time. You might’ve been expecting a simple racing game—something with fast cars, tracks, and lap times. But then the loading screen pops up, and within a few minutes, you realize this isn’t your typical racing game. The cars look like they were pieced together from spare parts, almost Mad Max-style, and they’re packed with weapons, spikes, and all kinds of dangerous extras. You’re not here to just beat other racers to the finish line; you’re here to smash into them, take them out, and even mow down pedestrians (yup, that’s actually part of the game). Winning races is almost secondary to the sheer mayhem you can cause along the way.
Gameplay That’s… Well, “Unique”
The gameplay in Carmageddon wasn’t anything like Mario Kart or Need for Speed. Instead of racing in the traditional sense, you got three ways to win each round. First, you could try to race through all the checkpoints and finish laps faster than anyone else. Or, you could destroy every other vehicle on the track, which was honestly a lot more fun and usually what you ended up doing. And then, there was the option to run over every single pedestrian on the map—which, let’s face it, was pretty wild for a game back then.
There was something downright reckless about it all. You weren’t just driving. You were encouraged to go out of your way to take out pedestrians, whether they were walking down the sidewalk, hiding around corners, or, for some reason, in the middle of a racetrack. People were understandably shocked. Back then, gaming was supposed to be, I don’t know, a little more “wholesome.” Then Carmageddon dropped and tore that idea to pieces.
How to play Carmageddon – Physics, Carnage, and the Janky Controls
If you played Carmageddon, you’ll remember the controls were a bit of a nightmare. The car handling was, to put it politely, unpredictable. Turning could feel like trying to maneuver a boat on wheels, and every bump, crash, or hard turn sent your car flying off in directions that didn’t always make sense. But once you got used to it, you kind of just leaned into the chaos. Sliding around corners and smashing into obstacles was all part of the fun, and the physics… well, let’s just say they had a mind of their own. Sometimes, your car would bounce in ways that made no sense, especially after hitting a solid wall. But instead of being annoying, it just added to the insanity of the game.
And the carnage? Oh, it was everywhere. Your opponents didn’t just crash and disappear; they crumpled up, flipped over, and kept coming back for more punishment. There were even repair pickups you could grab to fix your car mid-battle so that you could keep fighting until the last car standing. Every race felt like a road trip from hell, where you weren’t sure if you were going to cross the finish line, but you knew you’d cause as much destruction as possible trying.
Graphics and Soundtrack
Graphically, Carmageddon didn’t exactly blow anyone away by today’s standards. But at the time, those gritty textures and urban landscapes felt immersive. There was a rough-around-the-edges vibe to the graphics that actually suited the game’s chaotic nature. Buildings looked industrial and grimy, and the streets were filled with random people, which made everything feel like some anarchic playground.
And the soundtrack? Heavy, thrash metal riffs that basically pumped you up to crash and destroy. It was loud, intense, and it kind of just completed the experience. Even if you weren’t into metal, those beats got you in the right mindset to tear up the track.
Why was carmageddon banned?
If you remember the hype around Carmageddon, then you probably remember the controversy. Parents, teachers, news outlets—they all freaked out. A game where you could run over pedestrians? It felt like some kind of moral panic in the making. Some places even banned it until the developers swapped the humans out for zombies with green blood to avoid getting censored. But of course, that didn’t stop people from getting their hands on the original.
Part of the appeal of Carmageddon was the fact that you probably shouldn’t have been playing it in the first place. It had that “forbidden fruit” appeal, and back then, that just made it even more exciting. It was one of those games that made you feel like you were getting away with something just by playing it.
Why It Still Holds Up?
Looking back, Carmageddon is a product of its time, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold up in its own, weird way. Sure, it’s clunky, the graphics are outdated, and it’s morally questionable at best. But there’s a charm in the chaos. It’s like looking at a piece of gaming history that refused to play by the rules, and somehow, that just makes it more fun.
Even though more sophisticated games have come along with better physics, graphics, and realism, Carmageddon still scratches an itch for unfiltered, chaotic fun. It’s not about polished gameplay or even “good” game design. It’s about the raw, ridiculous experience of causing as much destruction as possible without caring about the rules.
So, if you’re feeling nostalgic and want a glimpse into the wild side of ‘90s gaming, give Carmageddon a shot. Just know that you’re in for a bumpy, chaotic, and very bloody ride. And honestly? That’s the best part.
