Mastering the Chaos in Calling All Cars!
Released during the early days of the PlayStation 3, Calling All Cars! brought classic arcade vehicular action back into the spotlight. Directed by David Jaffe, creator behind iconic franchises like Twisted Metal and God of War, this fast-paced party game combines arena driving, physics-based collisions, and competitive score-chasing into a hilarious battle for bounty supremacy.
Whether you are revisiting this classic digital gem or playing local multiplayer with friends, this complete guide covers core mechanics, weapon pickups, arena strategies, and advanced tactics to ensure you capture the most convicts and score maximum points.
Core Mechanics and Gameplay Loop
The goal in Calling All Cars! is simple on paper but frantic in execution: capture escaped convicts wandering around the arena and transport them safely to one of the designated score zones before your opponents ram into you and steal them.
- Capturing Convicts: Drive over an uncaptured convict to pick them up. Once inside or attached to your vehicle, a timer begins as you rush to deliver them.
- Stealing Convicts: Ramming an opponent carrying a criminal will knock the convict loose, allowing you or another player to snatch them up mid-drive.
- Score Zones: Deliveries yield different point values depending on the drop-off point. Standard police stations yield steady points, while moving drop-offs like helicopters or paddy wagons offer higher reward multipliers.
Weapons and Power-Ups Breakdown
Scattered across each arena are glowing weapon crates. Mastering these pickups is essential for disrupting your rivals and defending your captured prisoners in Calling All Cars!.
- Giant Mallet: A devastating close-range melee attack that smashes nearby vehicles, instantly dislodging convicts and stunning drivers.
- Magnet: Pulls nearby vehicles toward you or pulls a convict right off an enemy's vehicle from a medium distance.
- Homing Missile: Locks onto the leading vehicle ahead, blasting them on impact and scattering any carried prisoners.
- Mega Boost: Provides an extreme speed burst, allowing you to quickly escape pursuers or crash forcefully into opponents across the map.
Arena Strategies and Goal Types
Each level in Calling All Cars! features unique layouts, hazard zones, and fluctuating drop-off locations:
1. Standard Police Station
The standard jailhouse drop-off is open continuously but yields base points. Use this when heavily pursued or when high-value drop-offs are temporarily unavailable.
2. Police Helicopter
The helicopter hovers at designated drop spots before flying off. Landing a convict into the helicopter's scoop grants bonus multiplier points, but missing the jump can cost valuable time.
3. Mobile Paddy Wagon and Special Drops
Moving targets reward precision driving. Predicting the path of mobile collection units allows you to intercept them ahead of rivals for massive score jumps.
Advanced Tips to Win Every Match
To consistently top the leaderboard against tough opponents, keep these high-level tips in mind:
- Master the Drift and Boost: Cornering efficiently while conserving your boost ensures you maintain momentum when hauling convicts under pressure.
- Play Goal Defense: Instead of chasing criminals across the whole map, lurk near open drop-offs with a weapon like the Giant Mallet to steal deliveries right at the goal line.
- Target the Leader: If an opponent is running away with the game, focus missiles and rams on the match leader to keep the score tight.
- Watch Area Hazards: Avoid hazards like passing trains or deep water drops that delay your respawn time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Calling All Cars! offline?
Yes, Calling All Cars! supports full offline local multiplayer for up to four players on split screen, as well as single-player matches against AI bots.
Who developed Calling All Cars!?
The game was developed by Incognito Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 in 2007, directed by David Jaffe.
Are there similar games to Calling All Cars!?
If you enjoy the fast-paced arena play and driving mechanics of Calling All Cars!, check out titles like Twisted Metal, Cel Damage, and Rocket League.
Final Thoughts
Calling All Cars! remains one of the most entertaining couch-multiplayer titles from the PlayStation Network library. With tight physics, pick-up-and-play mechanics, and chaotic competitive matches, applying these weapon and positioning strategies will help you dominate every match.
