Midnight Club 2 in 2023 is Still One of the Best Arcade Racers Ever

...and what a wild ride it is.
Welcome to a new thing I'm trying in the form of a "bite sized review." I'll be taking a quick look at some games from my childhood with a bit more of a personal perspective. This is the first time I've done anything like this, so if you enjoyed the video, I'd genuinely appreciate the feedback.
GAME SCORE: 8.5/10

[@user-xu2ck4yf8i]

I almost never post comments, but what a beautiful tribute to an over-looked masterpiece. You identified so many of the qualities that others seem to miss: The atmosphere, the diversity of the cities, the personality, the sheer joy it is just to drive the cars, let alone race them. Twenty years and three console generations later and still no other racing game can match the fun and the thrill that Midnight Club 2 gave me. Thanks, and well done.

[@Kudo716]

Thank you. That's the reason I made the video- as good as the current and recent reviews of this game are, they were approached from a more objective lens which is all well and good, but video games are so much more than that. We spend so much time nitpicking and ripping games apart so frequently, we forget to stop and smell the roses.

[@mexdrago3009]

Exaclty. The atmosphere. When I was drifting and watching late night races. This is as close to that phantasy night life as it can get. Not everyone had the fastest cars, but it felt fast when you were behind the wheel. This came made me feel the same without crashing my real car. lol, I used blast hip and trance in my car. Trance was the best, tho for going as fast and consistent as possible.

[@royl6715]

I remember playing this game religiously when I was a kid. Maybe cracking a few controllers too... The atmosphere, soundtrack and pace are hard to beat. Still listen to Brain to this day thanks to MC2. Nice review!

[@Miltypooh2001]

Midnight club 2 was the closest thing to a fast and furious movie before nfs underground came out, the characters had their own theme, racing style and car, I won't forget racing savo in paris that was hard

[@GwoppyTrai]

I'm so happy alot of people are talking about Midnight Club 2 and even MC3 Dub Edition. MC2 is one of my first ever games i played and grew up with when i was a kid and is very special to me. So much so i can play it at any time regardless of how old i am or how many times i beat it already. Rockstar had a big hand into why i am such a car guy today. Thank you for making such a good review

[@rlfpotatoking9253]

Midnight Club 2 means a lot to me. I grew up playing MC3 on the PS2 in the late 2000's with only a limited experience of MC2 in which there was a cracked version of the game installed on the PC which only had one song - Sequel 2 Sub. playing over and over again - From my memories I basically did the exact same stuff I did in MC3, just cruise and mess around. It wasn't until 2018 that I finally did a proper 1st playthrough of the game where I discovered the magic that this game has, the soundtrack is so memorable and fits the world and atmosphere of the games extremely well - tracks like Round about Midnight, Aurora or Timeshift are so nostalgic and give off those early 2000's vibes. I also really like how the style of the music changes between the different cities. The game has so much personality compared to MC3 with the inclusion of voiced characters. Like you described it, I consider Midnight Club 2 like a 'time capsule' to the early 2000's. As for whether I prefer MC2 or MC3 - It's honestly pretty difficult because I love both games so much. Also, fantastic retrospective - nice and quick and it summarised the main points why the game is a masterpiece...

[@Kudo716]

I couldn't agree more, specifically that second to last sentence. There's something oddly comforting about the "empty parking lot at night" vibes of Los Angeles. The whole game has this really cold, artificial feel -and the only other thing I can compare it to, is the "Night Shift" mission from 007 Nightfire if you've ever played it. The pre-"Frutiger-Aero" post "Y2K" aesthetic that was purely 2002. L.A.'s races are so good you can actually remember them individually if you tried. There's something so special about those first three hours, and I think a lot of it has to do with how fast-paced the game is. The reason I consider 3 the best racing game of all time is mainly because the speed ensures that even the earlier, slower cars *feel* fast. When it comes to vibe, though, 2 hands down (it also helps that MC3 isn't relentlessly difficult.) That mission where you first get the bike? The view of that sunset will be forever engrained in my mind. The first race against Maria where you learn in-air-controls, and have to blast down the LA Freeway while lowkey techno music plays, and the ghetto bird is overhead? Iconic. "Air unit in pursuit of suspect!" is burned into the good part of my brain. Paris doesn't make me think of a race, per se, but the soundtrack instead. Silver Screen, It's Good for You to Meet People Like Us, Sequel2Sub. It's a perfect soundtrack to get into the late 90's-early 2000's Euro-Techno genre, especially since Daft Punk was pretty big at the time. Another huge plus I didn't touch on are the jumps. Who doesn't immediately jump the Louvre pyramid immediately upon spawning? Tokyo, I'll be honest, doesn't have the same attachment for me because I was 6-8 years old when I first played it and I could never get through Paris lol. I will say you can almost feel how chilly it is in Tokyo when it's dawn. The warm glow of the sun rising against the more winter-air blue of the sky overhead, is perfect. It's hard as hell and demands your respect, and I definitely respect Tokyo even if it's my least favorite of the 3 cities to go back to. Honestly Midnight Club 2 might have one of the best all around vibes of any game ever made. While people would argue NFS Underground's vibe was better, MCII felt like it tried to distance itself from the more "The Fast and The Furious" side of street racing, and instead looked at the actual Japanese Mid Night Club (I'm sure Initial D probably had a lot to do with this game as well) for inspiration. Such a fantastic game. Also, thank you for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@vanadium5099]

Time to replay mcii again...

[@Kudo716]

It's worth it bro

[@gabe5875]

same

[@Silver1137]

MC2 is the quite simply the most underrated racing game of all time. Believe it

[@GlozboxGaming]

Nice video. You deserve more views

[@Under10Hours]

This video felt like a slam poetry version of a review and I mean that in the best way.

[@Kudo716]

Appreciated! I wanted this review to be less an overall examination of the game itself and moreso how it makes me feel, and the memories attached.

[@Under10Hours]

@@Kudo716 I think you nailed it

[@nostalgiaof98]

I'd be interested to see how the average 15 year old today would react and to see them play MC2. Without their ability to have nostalgia glasses theyd see it for what it is

[@EmperorDank]

I doubt they'd see anything beyond the graphics before going back to subway surfers and fortnite tbh

[@NDEEZMiata]

One of the best racing games ever made. I wish they’d do a remaster for next gen consoles, maybe add a few tweaks. MC3 is fun, but I miss the huge jumps and the map variety. Nothing beats machine guns, missiles, endless NOS and the bat mobile flying across half of Paris MC3 gets very repetitive and with motorcycles and special abilities makes most races pretty easy by comparison. The pick your path races on MC2 will make a nun swear lol. Game was mega hard. Shame they haven’t made another midnight club series. I think MC2 is still more fun than Forza Horizon series even though it’s much simpler.

[@Kudo716]

Facts. Just because a game has more cars, better graphics, and different content doesn't immediately make it the better game.

[@_paczki]

I haven't used save states yet replaying Midnight Club 2, trying to get that same feel as I did as a kid. So much rage but so much fun.

[@artistanthony1007]

I would love if a new MC game has a menu and music like this game's, LA's menu and soundtrack just isnt that good and I want the same kind II provided.

[@Kudo716]

Facts. The OST in this game is S tier.

[@artistanthony1007]

@@Kudo716 LA also just feels like Fast & The Furious, I like the game and all but 2 is where it is at and LA's music selection is also generic because you pretty much never hear Aurora by Nokternal on the typical radio station, unless I'm forgetting LA has more unique tracks like II but I am pretty sure it was & is all generic licensed songs.

[@Kudo716]

@@artistanthony1007 LA definitely didn't have music that set a tone like II did. The only bummer with II's music at least when it comes to the story mode is that when you're in a boss race, the only song that plays is the boss' "Theme" which is annoying. I only really remember the Justice remix of Kid Cudi's Day N' Nite off of LA.

[@VelocityVibeRacing]

Old games are the best!

[@legendary9689]

I really wish this was backwards compatible on Xbox one 😢 I love this game my favorite midnight club game out of all of them.

[@ganglyman22]

Imho 8.5 is too low. When it comes to street racing, this game is second to none. Good video!

[@Kudo716]

I agree, in retrospect it's at least a 9. I just don't think it's on the same level as 3. It's kind of it's own thing, and that's fine. Definitely a GOATed racing game for sure.

[@ganglyman22]

@@Kudo716 3 absolutely kills it on the customization, etc. which is great but imho when it comes to the pure racing (combined with a sweet original soundtrack), there's no more memorable experience than MCII. Every race and racer has a unique flavor that I wish MCIII implemented too. But mad respect for your work and your own experience 🤙

[@Feraz69420]

I’m about to buy a ps2 buy this game. I turned 25 2 months ago born in 97. This game and nfs hot pursuit 2 was my childhood. I wish I was a kid all over again to relive those moments.

[@Kudo716]

Hot pursuit 2 was so good! I still boot it up every now and then.

[@nightrunner3130]

Same here brotha

[@furiatrifasica]

Play it on pc

[@MitsubishiEvo1234]

Mc2 will forever be my favorite game ever.

[@Ravecat27]

1:48 loved it to drive in the church ❤

[@MrTheta-lc8zy]

Like fuck… I want a new smuggler’s run, or at least a spiritual successor.

[@Shockload]

Really underrated video from an underrated channel

[@Kudo716]

Thank you so much!

[@MidnightApex-ml6jc]

Great game.

[@abramlittle7102]

One of the best games ever made

[@gainster98]

Nice video! Midnight club 2 is really my favourite racing game that I have played so many times. Do you maybe know a game that's similiar to this and playable on pc? :D

[@adamuzumaki98]

0:50 RIP James Gandolfini

[@BigGuyJac]

Is there a way i can change my character close for the different colour bike suit when im rides any of the three bikes in midnight club 2?

[@danielbadger2641]

It’s one of the ONLY games I never managed to beat (the final boss in Paris). The only other game is Donkey Kong 64. I tried to get the emulator for MCII on my MacBook but it’s too old. I’m wondering if I could get it on my new MacBook Air. Hopefully DK64 comes to the switch emulator soon

[@Kudo716]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWbQkKJuetSGb7c -------------------------------------------- Seems like Macbooks are capable of playing MC2 through emulation! I'd recommend PCSX2 or AestherSX2 for emulation.

[@xxczerxx]

The death of proper arcade racing games(MC, Burnout pre-Paradise and old NFS) is one of the saddest turns of modern gaming.

[@Kudo716]

Facts. Now all that matters is realism.

[@swissflxw2091]

I love this game so much, its the only game that really gives me a challange i want to complete but Fuck Savo, Fuck buses and Fuuuuuuck Semi trucks

[@nerdodragonnerdpl4167]

I always beats game on how hard can it be 9 with manual and no handbrake whatsoever:)

[@decorianhill7228]

This game was and still is a rare jewel 💎

[@SJ-su1ki]

This game would really test a mf

[@Kudo716]

That's what makes it so good. It's why Dark Souls is so good today. Every race is a literal boss battle.

[@SJ-su1ki]

@@Kudo716 100%. I got all midnight club games that came out on consoles around the time they came out and I spent the most time and broke the most controllers on 2.

[@nerdodragonnerdpl4167]

World changes quickly? Tell this to dragon living eons So far i omly see hummanity reppeating it's mistakes Ooooooooorh!

[@pr1712]

how to play it on wndows 11

[@Jules-69lol]

MC3 did improve on everything but the racers dont have a personality anymore and that makes me livid

[@MidnightApex-ml6jc]

Doesn't bother me much

[@urbanizeddreams]

Everyone always talks about Midnight Club being an awesome series, but i don't agree. MC3 and MCLA were crap and typical rockstar. Midnight Club 2 however....that is the series. It's the only game worth playing, and the best arcade racer to this day. I still play it every couple of years. The soundtrack is the best in any racing game, it's fun, challenging and memorable. No other racing game has ever come close to touch it for me. Sure I love many others, but this is the best.

[@MidnightApex-ml6jc]

You couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

[@captus4920]

Significant at the time... and it does bring nostalgia. But definitely doesn't stand the test of time. Very simplistic, not too many customization's and those characters are so cringy & wack cut scenes. Even the soundtrack is '''meh'' a bunch of boring techno music. Falls short to MC3 and Ned for Speed.

[@gabrielramos5338]

Nah, MC3 is worse. Just a bunch of stupid pimped dub cars that aged like milk and a lackluster soundtrack (except for Real Big and A modern way of letting go). Need for speed does get repetitive after some time but it's okay.

[@MidnightApex-ml6jc]

@@gabrielramos5338 you couldn't be more wrong if you tried

[@MidnightApex-ml6jc]

Nice opinion about the soundtrack, but it's wrong.

[@pauljackways1473]

This guy calls his own sense of nostalgia 'the atmosphere' lmao

[@Kudo716]

watch the video and i might just explain that one.