L.A. Rush

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L.A. Rush is a 2005 racing game from Midway Studios Newcastle and Midway. It’s the fourth Rush game and the first to use an open-world Los Angeles setting, featuring licensed cars and a story-driven campaign. It released on PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2005, with Windows in 2006 and the PlayStation Portable later in 2006. A Gizmondo version was planned but canceled after the console was discontinued.

Gameplay and features
- Players drive through condensed recreations of Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, South Central, South Bay, and Downtown, with landmarks like LAX and the Hollywood Sign.
- The game uses free-roaming driving with racing mechanics similar to Need for Speed: Underground 2. A GPS/minimap helps players mark and find locations.
- Modes: Battle mode (head-to-head, power-up racing) and Stunt Arena (PSP only), where players launch off ramps and perform tricks while landing on all four wheels.
- Missions: Reacquire missions (recover repossessed cars with minimal damage) and Retribution missions (destroy targets tied to the antagonist).
- Cars: Up to 50 vehicles total, with about 30 licensed cars and the rest Midway concepts. Cars can be upgraded, with West Coast Customs handling the modifications.
- Multiplayer and online: PSP supports two-player Wi‑Fi play; the Xbox version can download car skins via Xbox Live. The Xbox version is not compatible with Xbox 360. An online revival service later restored online functionality for original Xbox games on Insignia.
- Soundtrack: The game features hip hop and rock tracks from artists such as Twista, Lil’ Kim, Skinny Puppy, J-Kwon, and Rock ’n Roll Soldiers.

Story
The plot follows Trikz Lane, a street racer whose mansion and car collection are repossessed by the rival Lidell Rey. With help from Ty Malix and the West Coast Customs team, Trikz enters Lidell’s racing circuit, recovers his cars, and targets Lidell’s operations across Los Angeles. The story takes players through races in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, South Central, Downtown, and beyond, culminating in a final showdown with Lidell.

Reception
The game received mixed reviews on Xbox, PS2, and PSP. Critics often pointed out that car customization felt limited because upgrades were done automatically by the in-game shop rather than by the player. Some praised the handling and feel of the driving, while others noted that not all areas of Los Angeles were included (for example, the San Fernando Valley).