Beyond the main campaign, the [SLES-01816] version included various mini-games that extended its lifespan:
The game was groundbreaking for its era due to several key features:
The identifier refers to the original Driver video game, released in 1999 for the Sony PlayStation in Europe (PAL region) . Developed by Reflections Interactive and published by GT Interactive, this title redefined the 3D driving genre by moving away from traditional racing and toward cinematic, mission-based car chases. The Cinematic Heritage of "The Wheelman"
: The game is notorious for its opening "Garage" mission, a strict timed trial requiring players to master specific stunts (like the "slalom" or "360") before even starting the main story. Legacy and Cultural Impact
At its core, Driver is a love letter to the high-octane Hollywood car chases of the 1960s and 70s, specifically referencing films like Bullitt and The Driver . Players take on the role of John Tanner, an undercover police officer posing as a getaway driver for hire, known as "the wheelman".
Driver served as a critical bridge between early 3D driving experiments and the massive open-world crime epics that followed. Its focus on getaway missions and police evasion—including a "heat" system where police behavior became increasingly aggressive—laid the groundwork for the sandbox mechanics later refined in the Grand Theft Auto series.
: Modes where players either pursued a target or fled from police within a set timeframe.
: Unlike the linear tracks common in 1999, Driver featured recreations of four iconic American cities—Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York—which players could explore with a degree of freedom rarely seen at the time.