Cruis'n World, Midway's second arcade entry going global. Thirteen circuits across the planet, more vehicles and a marginally tighter feel at the wheel. Still shallow, still brilliant in quick bursts and technically a lot more appealing than the original.
Your verdict
Category
Racing1 player7+
Split screen
Description
Second entry in Midway's Cruis'n series, sending players racing around the world. Published by Nintendo, released in 1998 in Europe and North America. Thirteen international circuits including Russia, Kenya, and China, varied vehicles including bikes and 4WDs, and fast arcade gameplay.
Cruis'n World review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Cruis'n World (Midway) circles the globe in arcade racing: recognizable monuments and landscapes, from the Great Wall of China to Paris, in a colorful, good-natured aesthetic. The art direction favors high-speed readability and touristic escapism, far from any realism. A fun, generous art direction, a hallmark of Midway arcade racing.
The soundtrack paces the world tour with an arcade rock energy: catchy riffs, driving rhythms and local touches that color each leg of the globe. The music sustains the festive, laid-back mood of the race, fueling the sense of speed and escapism. A dynamic, fun accompaniment, true to the lighthearted spirit of Midway racing.
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
A round-the-world drive, from pyramids to the Great Wall, with acrobatic jumps and tricks to unlock: the formula gains variety without losing any of its fire. Every track is a change of scene, every stunt a delight. As accessible and spectacular as ever, this arcade racer strings iconic backdrops together for the joy of pure speed.
Standard European pressing of the second Cruis'n, distributed in 1998 by Nintendo in a multilingual PAL box. Rarer than the American editions, it offers the most complete N64 experience of the series outside a specific revision, with its thirteen worldwide tracks. Desirability rests on the title's pivotal place in an arcade license Nintendo carried then dropped, the PAL version closing the series' European console presence.
Is Cruis'n World still worth playing in 2026?
Cruis'n World is the second installment of Midway's arcade series, widening the playing field to circuits around the globe, from Russia to Kenya, with a little more stunts and content than Cruis'n USA. The spirit stays resolutely arcade, focused on pure speed and immediate fun, and the diversity of settings brings a certain sweep. The simplistic driving and a dated presentation remain. For fans of uninhibited retro arcade racing and the Cruis'n spirit, it is the most generous and pleasant entry of the trilogy.
