Software:Twisted Metal: Head-On

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Short description: 2005 video game


Twisted Metal: Head-On
European PlayStation Portable cover art
Developer(s)Incognito Entertainment[lower-alpha 1] (PSP)
Eat Sleep Play (PS2)
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Scott Campbell
David Jaffe (Twisted Metal: Lost)
Producer(s)Scott Campbell
Designer(s)Scott Campbell
David Jaffe (Twisted Metal: Lost)
Writer(s)Scott Campbell
David Jaffe (Twisted Metal: Lost)
Composer(s)Inon Zur
SeriesTwisted Metal
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2
ReleasePlayStation Portable
  • NA: March 24, 2005
  • EU: November 4, 2005
PlayStation 2
  • NA: February 5, 2008
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Twisted Metal: Head-On is a 2005 vehicular combat video game developed by Incognito Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. A port developed by Eat Sleep Play for the PlayStation 2 was released in 2008.[1] Head-On is the seventh installment of the Twisted Metal series, and the first game in the series to ship fully online-enabled.

Premise

Head-On is a direct sequel to Twisted Metal 2, while ignoring the events of Twisted Metal III and Twisted Metal 4 and other installments. Akin to other games in the series, Head-On revolves around the same theme of a man named Calypso holding a vehicular combat tournament called "Twisted Metal", with the promise of granting the winner whatever they ask for.

Minigames

Head-On also includes minigames that players can access via teleporters, which can be found in each level during Story Mode. These are bonus levels where players must collect power ups while circumventing obstacles that require a variety of tactics, including destroying taxicabs, jumping over chasms, and destroying helicopters using napalm bombs. The catch is that most of these minigames are timed, forcing the player to think on their feet, as it were, while maintaining a balance of caution and risk. Reaching the end of the mini-game prior to the timer's ending allows the player to all their powerups. Several characters can only be unlocked by completing the minigames on certain levels.

Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition

A PlayStation 2 port of Twisted Metal: Head-On was released on February 5, 2008. The game was developed by Jaffe's newly formed studio Eat Sleep Play and was retitled Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition.[2] It was never released outside of North America and is thus only available in NTSC format.

The PS2 port contains extra features and bonuses, such as the unreleased live action end movies from Twisted Metal, a behind the scenes documentary, a cut-down version of the canceled sequel to Software:Twisted Metal: Black named Twisted Metal: Lost, and a concept art book.[3] Each physical copy also comes with a code to download a Twisted Metal soundtrack. The documentary includes an answer to a question Twisted Metal fans have been asking for a long time. After fans deciphered a message in the Dark Past documentary as reading "Twisted Metal is coming on psthree", Jaffe confirmed it himself.[4] It also lacks the online play feature of the original PSP version.[5]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(PSP) 78.84%[6]
(PS2) 73.16%[7]
Metacritic(PSP) 79/100[8]
(PS2) 73/100[9]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[10]
EGM6.67/10[11]
Eurogamer(PS2) 6/10[12]
(PSP) 5/10[13]
Game Informer(PSP) 8.75/10[14]
(PS2) 7.25/10[15]
GameProStarStarStarStar[16][17]
GameRevolution(PSP) B[18]
(PS2) D+[19]
GameSpot(PSP) 8.5/10[20]
(PS2) 7.5/10[21]
GameSpy(PSP) StarStarStarStar[22]
(PS2) StarStarStar[23]
GameTrailers7.5/10[24]
GameZone(PSP) 9/10[25]
(PS2) 8/10[26]
IGN(PS2) 8.4/10[27]
(PSP) 8/10[28]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStar[29]
The A.V. ClubC+[30]
Detroit Free PressStarStarStar[31]

The game was met with average to positive reviews upon release. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 78.84% and 79 out of 100 for the PSP version,[6][8] and 73.16% and 73 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.[7][9]

Notes

  1. ↑ Santa Monica Studio assisted on development.

References

  1. ↑ "Twisted Metal: Head-On ported from PSP to PS2 this Christmas; New Eat Sleep Play studio PS3 and PSP games coming in 2008". http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/07/27/twisted-metal-head-on-ported-from-psp-to-ps2-this-christmas-new-eat-sleep-play-studio-ps3-and-psp-games-coming-in-2008.htm. 
  2. ↑ Randy Nelson, "Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition: A surprise gift for Metal fans from the series' creator", PlayStation The Official Magazine 003 (February 2008): 44.
  3. ↑ Casey Lynch, "Review of Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition", GamePro 235 (April 08): 80.
  4. ↑ Jaffe - Twisted Metal PS3 is Next Project
  5. ↑ David Jaffe speaks on PSP-to-PS2 ports, Eat Sleep Play's PS3 game, and more
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Twisted Metal: Head-On for PSP". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/920793-twisted-metal-head-on/index.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Twisted Metal: Head-On - Extra Twisted Edition for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/942346-twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition/index.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Twisted Metal: Head-On Critic Reviews for PSP". https://www.metacritic.com/game/twisted-metal-head-on/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Twisted Metal: Head-On - Extra Twisted Edition Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". https://www.metacritic.com/game/twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  10. ↑ Edge staff (June 2005). "Twisted Metal: Head-On". Edge (150): 94. 
  11. ↑ EGM Staff (June 2005). "Twisted Metal: Head-On". Electronic Gaming Monthly (192): 109. 
  12. ↑ Androvich, Mark (2008-02-05). "Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition-review. 
  13. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (2005-12-21). "Twisted Metal: Head-On Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_twistedmetalheadon_psp. 
  14. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (May 2005). "Twisted Metal: Head-On". Game Informer (145): 128. http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/1EFFF6F6-E51E-4D90-B163-37492BBD17BE.htm. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  15. ↑ Miller, Matt (April 2008). "Twisted Metal: Head-On - Extra Twisted Edition". Game Informer (180). http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/91DD8D02-BD4C-4331-9600-18F0A0F0522D.htm. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  16. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (2005-03-07). "Twisted Metal: Head-On Review for PSP on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/42874.shtml. Retrieved 2014-03-17. 
  17. ↑ Lynch, Casey (2008-02-05). "Review: Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/160008.shtml. Retrieved 2014-03-17. 
  18. ↑ Dodson, Joe (2005-03-23). "Twisted Metal: Head-On Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/twisted-metal058-head045on. 
  19. ↑ Hurh, JP (2008-02-19). "Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/twisted-metal-extra. 
  20. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2005-03-18). "Twisted Metal: Head-On Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/twisted-metal-head-on-review/1900-6120723/. 
  21. ↑ Rivers, Trevor (2008-02-06). "Twisted Metal: Head-On - Extra Twisted Edition Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition-review/1900-6185679/. 
  22. ↑ Williams, Bryn (2005-03-23). "GameSpy: Twisted Metal: Head-On". GameSpy. http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/twisted-metal-psp/598284p1.html. 
  23. ↑ Graziani, Gabe (2008-02-08). "GameSpy: Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/twisted-metal-head-on/850917p1.html. 
  24. ↑ "Twisted Metal Head On: Extra Twisted Edition". GameTrailers. February 5, 2008. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=5816. 
  25. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (2005-03-21). "Twisted Metal: Head-On - PSP - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/twisted_metal_head_on_psp_review. 
  26. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (2008-02-04). "Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/twisted_metal_head_on_extra_twisted_edition_ps2_review. 
  27. ↑ Clements, Ryan (2008-02-01). "Twisted Metal: Head-on: Extra Twisted Edition Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/02/twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition-review. 
  28. ↑ Sallee, Mark Ryan (2005-03-18). "Twisted Metal: Head-On". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/18/twisted-metal-head-on. 
  29. ↑ "Twisted Metal: Head-On". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. June 2005. http://opm.1up.com/reviews/twisted-metal-head-on_5. Retrieved 2014-03-17. 
  30. ↑ Mastrapa, Gus (2008-02-03). "Twisted Metal: Head-On - Extra Twisted Edition". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/article/twisted-metal-head-on-extra-twisted-edition-7297. 
  31. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (2005-03-27). "A FAB FIVE: First PSP games race to the front of the pack". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game27e_20050327.htm. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



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