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"
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.
American run from 1998, the most widely distributed of the series but sustained by a stubborn nostalgia tied to Midway arcades and the accessible play that made it a video-rental classic. The NTSC-U cartridge stays sought after boxed complete for its role as a bridge between the cabinet and the living room, and its value climbs as intact copies grow less frequent on the North American market.
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.
