Twisted Metal is a series of car and vehicle battle video games created by SingleTrac and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The games have been available on the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 3. By October 31, 2000, the series had sold 5 million copies. Some games in the series were included in the Sony Greatest Hits program. The first game and its first sequel were also made available for personal computers.

Overview

Each game in the series features demolition derbies where players use weapons such as ballistic projectiles, machine guns, and explosives. Players select a vehicle (each linked to a specific character) and an arena—or multiple arenas in the story mode—to compete against other drivers. The player whose vehicle remains operational at the end of the match wins.

The series' story is centered on the Twisted Metal tournament, an annual event consisting of a series of demolition derbies. In most games, the tournament is hosted by a man named "Calypso." In the fourth game, a regular participant named Sweet Tooth temporarily takes over as the host. The tournament winner is given one wish, which often leads to unintended results, similar to stories where characters face consequences for making selfish wishes.

Games

The first two Twisted Metal games were created by a company called SingleTrac.

Versions of Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2 for Windows computers exist. The PC version of Twisted Metal 2 is based on an earlier version of the game (some level details were removed). It does not require a special type of graphics card and works well on computers with less powerful hardware. It also includes multiplayer options through a modem or the Internet.

Both games were made and sold by 989 Studios because SingleTrac had a disagreement with Sony and sold the company to GT Interactive, which prevented them from making more Twisted Metal games. David Jaffe, who worked on the first two games, once said, "They are good games, but they are not good Twisted Metal games."

After creating several other vehicular combat games for GT Interactive, many SingleTrac employees left to form a new studio called Incog Inc. Entertainment. They partnered with Sony to make another Twisted Metal game for the PlayStation 2 called Twisted Metal: Black. This game marked a new beginning for the series, with some returning characters looking very different and new characters introduced.

Although Twisted Metal: Black was a major change for the series, Incognito later returned to the original style of the first two games. They brought back bright colors and cartoon-like characters. The game was released on the PSP and was the first Twisted Metal game to include online play from the start.

In February 2008, a new studio called Eat Sleep Play, formed by David Jaffe and Scott Campbell, released Twisted Metal: Head-On for the PlayStation 2. This game was a direct version of the PSP game Twisted Metal: Head-On but included extra content, such as four levels from an unfinished Twisted Metal: Black sequel called Twisted Metal: Harbor City. Other extras included a downloadable soundtrack, a documentary about the series, a playable portion of an unfinished game featuring Sweet Tooth, and original live-action ending videos from the first Twisted Metal game.

Twisted Metal (2012) is the most recent game in the series. It includes multiple drivers, tracks, multiplayer modes, and other game features. The game has three storylines focusing on Sweet Tooth, Mr. Grimm, and Dollface.

The game was originally planned for release in October 2011 but was delayed until early 2012 to allow developers more time to improve it.

Instead of making a PlayStation 2 follow-up to Twisted Metal: Black, Incognito created Twisted Metal: Small Brawl for the original PlayStation. This version targeted a younger audience and used radio-controlled toy cars instead of full-size vehicles.

Platform: PlayStation 2

A game featuring only the multiplayer part of Twisted Metal: Black, playable online. A free copy could be obtained by mailing in a card that came with the PlayStation 2 online network adapter. After Sony stopped offering the disc, it was later included as a bonus in reissues of Twisted Metal: Black. The official servers for the game have since been closed.

A sequel to Twisted Metal: Black called Twisted Metal: Harbor City was in development but was cancelled before it was announced. At the time of cancellation, four levels had been completed and later included in Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition as part of Twisted Metal: Lost.

A Twisted Metal game set in a post-apocalyptic world was planned in 2008 but was cancelled. Artwork from the game was shown at San Diego Comic-Con, including concept art of a destroyed Mount Rushmore and a giant crater. The Eat Sleep Play team was interested in the idea, but it was reportedly rejected by Sony Computer Entertainment, possibly due to the release of a similar game called MotorStorm: Apocalypse.

Another Twisted Metal game for the PlayStation 3 was planned, featuring street culture and hip-hop influences. It was called Twisted Metal: Revolution but was cancelled. The game would have included more realistic characters, such as a version of Sweet Tooth resembling a smooth criminal instead of a clown. Other characters would have included Yakuza, FBI agents, and street gang members. David Jaffe compared the game to Rockstar's Midnight Club series. However, the environments were described as bland, making it difficult to recreate the concept art.

An unnamed live-service Twisted Metal game was cancelled early in its development. It was originally planned by a UK studio called Lucid Games but later handed to Firesprite. Little is known about the game, and it was never approved for release. The cancellation was linked to a global layoff of 900 employees.

Other media

In 1996, DC Comics released a single-issue comic book titled Twisted Metal 2. The comic was written by Jamie Delano, drawn by Phil Hester, and detailed by Peter Gross. It was given as a prize in a contest held in Tips & Tricks magazine.

In February 2012, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to make a Twisted Metal movie. Brian Taylor was hired to write and direct the film. However, in September 2017, Taylor stated that Sony had decided not to proceed with the movie, believing the fanbase was not large enough to justify the high production costs.

The Twisted Metal video game series inspired Slaughter Race, a fictional game that appears in the Disney animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018).

In May 2019, Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, announced plans to create a television series based on Twisted Metal. Sony’s television division would work with its PlayStation division to develop projects based on gaming intellectual property. In February 2021, a Twisted Metal TV series was confirmed, with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick helping to develop the show. Michael Jonathan Smith wrote and executive produced the series, alongside Will Arnett, Reese, Wernick, Marc Forman, Peter Principato, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Herman Hulst. In September 2021, Anthony Mackie was cast as John Doe and confirmed as an executive producer. The series was approved for production by Peacock. In May 2022, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, and Neve Campbell joined the cast. Will Arnett voiced the character Sweet Tooth, while Samoa Joe performed the role physically. Mike Mitchell played Stu, the best friend of Mike, who was played by Tahj Vaughans. Lou Beatty Jr. portrayed a character named Tommy. The first season, consisting of 10 episodes, premiered on Peacock on July 27, 2023.