Twisted Metal is a series of video games that feature car and vehicle battles. The games were first created by SingleTrac and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment. They appeared on several PlayStation systems, including the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 3. By October 31, 2000, the series had sold 5 million copies. Some games were re-released as part of the Sony Greatest Hits program. The original game and its first sequel were also available for the PC.
Overview
Each game in the series is about demolition derbies, where players use weapons such as ballistic projectiles, machine guns, and explosives. Players select a vehicle (each linked to a character) and an arena—or multiple arenas in the story mode—to fight against other drivers. The player whose vehicle remains operational at the end wins the game.
The series' story focuses on the Twisted Metal tournament, an annual event that includes several demolition derbies. In most games, the host is a man named "Calypso"; in the fourth game, a regular participant named Sweet Tooth temporarily becomes the host. The tournament winner receives one wish. Usually, this wish leads to unexpected results, similar to old stories where characters face consequences for selfish wishes.
Games
The first two Twisted Metal games were created by a company called SingleTrac. Versions of Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2 were made for Windows computers. The Windows version of Twisted Metal 2 was based on an earlier version of the game, which caused some level details to be removed. However, it did not require a 3D graphics card and worked well on older computers. It also allowed players to compete against each other over a modem or the Internet.
Both games were developed and published by 989 Studios after SingleTrac had a disagreement with Sony and sold the company to GT Interactive. This made it impossible for SingleTrac to create more Twisted Metal games. David Jaffe, who helped create the first two games, once said, "They are good games, but they are not good Twisted Metal games."
After making other vehicular combat games for GT Interactive, many employees from SingleTrac left to form a new studio called Incog Inc. Entertainment. They signed with Sony to create a new 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.
Despite being a complete relaunch, Incog Inc. later returned to the original style of Twisted Metal 1 and 2, using bright colors and cartoon-like characters. This 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 sequel called Twisted Metal: Harbor City. Other additions included a downloadable soundtrack, a documentary about the series, a playable portion of an unfinished game featuring Sweet Tooth, and original live-action endings for the first Twisted Metal game.
The most recent Twisted Metal game, released in 2012, includes multiple drivers, tracks, multiplayer gameplay, and other game modes. The story follows three characters: Sweet Tooth, Mr. Grimm, and Dollface. Originally planned for October 2011, the game was delayed to early 2012 so developers could improve its quality.
Instead of making a follow-up to Twisted Metal: Black for the PlayStation 2, Incog Inc. created Twisted Metal: Small Brawl for the original PlayStation. This version targeted younger players and used radio-controlled toy cars instead of full-sized vehicles.
A multiplayer-only version of Twisted Metal: Black was released for free by sending in a card that came with a PlayStation 2 online network adapter. After Sony stopped offering this game, it was later included as a bonus disc in reissues of Twisted Metal: Black. The game’s servers have since been closed.
A sequel to Twisted Metal: Black called Twisted Metal: Harbor City was being developed but was canceled before it was announced. Four completed levels from this game were 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 canceled. Artwork from the game was shown at San Diego Comic-Con, featuring destroyed landmarks like Mount Rushmore and a large crater. The idea was reportedly rejected by Sony due to the release of a similar game, MotorStorm: Apocalypse.
Another Twisted Metal game for the PlayStation 3, called Twisted Metal: Revolution, was in development but canceled. It would have included more realistic characters, such as a version of Sweet Tooth resembling a smooth criminal instead of a clown. The game was compared to Rockstar’s Midnight Club series but faced challenges in accurately representing its concept art.
An unnamed live-service Twisted Metal game was canceled early in its development. Originally planned by Lucid Games, the project was later handed to Firesprite but was never approved. The cancellation was linked to a global layoff of 900 employees. The game was intended for the PS5.
Other media
A single-issue comic book for Twisted Metal 2 was published by DC Comics in 1996. Jamie Delano wrote the comic, Phil Hester drew the pictures, and Peter Gross added the ink details. The comic was given away as a prize in a contest held in Tips & Tricks magazine.
In February 2012, Sony Pictures Entertainment planned to make a movie version of Twisted Metal by hiring Brian Taylor to write and direct it. Five years later, in September 2017, Brian Taylor confirmed that Sony had decided not to make the movie, stating the game's fan group was not large enough to justify the high production costs.
The Twisted Metal game inspired a fictional video game called Slaughter Race, which 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. He said Sony’s movie and TV divisions would work together through a new team focused on making TV shows based on Sony’s video games. In February 2021, a Twisted Metal TV series was confirmed, with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick helping to create the series. Michael Jonathan Smith wrote and managed the production, working with 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 to star in and manage the production. The series received approval to move forward on Peacock. In May 2022, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, and Neve Campbell joined the cast. Will Arnett was hired to voice Sweet Tooth, while Samoa Joe performed the role physically. Mike Mitchell plays Stu, the best friend of Mike, who is played by Tahj Vaughans. Lou Beatty Jr. plays a character named Tommy. The first season, which has 10 episodes, was released on Peacock on July 27, 2023.