Twisted Metal Head On: Why it's still the best car combat game you probably haven't played

You remember that gritty, oil-stained era of the mid-2000s? Games were trying so hard to be "edgy," but Twisted Metal Head On actually pulled it off without feeling like a gimmick. Honestly, it was a weird time for the franchise. Sony had just come off the divisive Twisted Metal: Black, which was basically a descent into madness, and fans were itching for something that felt more like the classic PlayStation 1 hits.

Then came the PSP.

Most people don't realize that Head On was actually developed by Incognito Entertainment, the same crew—led by Scott Campbell and David Jaffe—that birthed the series. It wasn't just a spinoff. It was the true Twisted Metal 2 sequel we never got on the PS1. If you've ever felt like modern vehicular combat games are missing a certain "soul," you're likely thinking of the specific magic found in this title.

What Twisted Metal Head On got right (and wrong)

Let's talk about the vibe. Twisted Metal Head On ditched the pitch-black, clinical depression of Black and returned to the colorful, globe-trotting absurdity of the earlier games. You’re driving a bulldozer through Paris. You’re blowing up the Big Ben in London. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what car combat should be.

The controls were the real surprise. Transitioning a high-octane twitch shooter to a handheld with only one analog nub sounds like a recipe for a migraine. Somehow, they nailed it. Using the d-pad for energy attacks—those crucial freeze missiles and shields—felt tactile and rewarding.

But it wasn't perfect.

The physics can be... floaty. Sometimes your car feels less like a two-ton death machine and more like a bouncy ball covered in spikes. If you hit a ramp at the wrong angle in the Tokyo level, you’re basically launching yourself into orbit. It’s frustrating, sure, but it also adds to that unpredictable arcade energy that's missing from "realistic" modern games.

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The characters aren't just skins

In most games today, a "character" is just a cosmetic skin you buy for $20. In Head On, your choice of driver fundamentally changed how you survived. Sweet Tooth is the icon, obviously. That ice cream truck is a tank. But if you were a real pro, you were probably rocking Mr. Grimm.

Grimm is the definition of a glass cannon. One well-placed power missile from Minion and you're toast. But his soul-collecting special? If you could aim that thing, you were a god.

• Sweet Tooth: High armor, slow, devastating napalm.
• Spectre: Fast, paper-thin armor, but those ghost missiles go through walls.
• Shadow: Raven’s hearse has a special that acts like a remote-detonated bomb. High skill ceiling.
• Outlaw: The classic police cruiser. Balanced, reliable, great for beginners.

The storytelling used these motion-comic cutscenes. They were weirdly charming. Seeing Calypso—the twisted wish-granter—screw over the winners in the end was always the highlight. It reminded you that in this universe, nobody actually wins.

The "Extra Twisted" Edition on PS2

If you missed it on the PSP, you probably found it on the PlayStation 2 as Twisted Metal Head On: Extra Twisted Edition. This version is basically a museum of what could have been.

It included the "Lost" levels from the cancelled Twisted Metal: Black sequel (often referred to as Harbor City). Playing those levels feels like walking through a ghost town. They’re dark, atmospheric, and deeply polished, despite being part of a dead project. It’s one of the few times a developer has been so transparent about their "failed" work, and honestly, the industry needs more of that.

There was also a behind-the-scenes documentary included. You see the stress, the passion, and the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into making these games. It’s a reality check for anyone who thinks game dev is just "playing with computers" all day.

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Why vehicular combat died (and why it's coming back)

For a long time, the industry decided players only wanted shooters or open-world RPGs. The "car with a gun" genre was left to rot. Twisted Metal (2012) on the PS3 tried to revive it with a heavy focus on multiplayer, but it lacked the character-driven heart of Head On.

But look at the landscape now. With the Twisted Metal TV series being a genuine hit on Peacock, there’s a massive spotlight back on this franchise. People are realizing that there's a specific itch only a homing missile and a nitro boost can scratch.

The complexity of Head On lies in its "Energy" system. You weren't just picking up health packs. You had to manage a regenerating energy bar to use:

1. Shields: Crucial for surviving those "fire and forget" missiles.
2. Rear Attacks: Dropping mines or firing backward to stop tailgaters.
3. Freezes: The most controversial move in the game. If you hit someone with a freeze, they're sitting ducks.

It's a game of resource management disguised as a demolition derby.

How to play it today without breaking the bank

You don't need to hunt down an overpriced physical copy and a working PSP unless you're a hardcore collector.

Sony eventually brought Twisted Metal Head On to the PlayStation Plus Classics catalog. You can play it on PS4 or PS5 with uprendered graphics and, most importantly, a "rewind" feature. If you get blasted by a rogue satellite in the Moon level, you can just zip back ten seconds and pretend it never happened. It’s a lifesaver for the boss fights against Prime 7 or Sweet Tooth’s massive transformation.

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Tactical tips for the modern player

If you’re jumping back in, forget everything you know about racing. This isn't Gran Turismo.

• Always be jumping. Mapping jump to the shoulder buttons (in the PS4/PS5 port) allows you to dodge ground-based shocks and mines.
• The environment is a weapon. In the Russia level, you can trigger massive explosions. Use them. Don't just wait for your special to recharge.
• Learn the teleporters. Most levels have hidden paths. If you're being chased by three AI opponents, a teleporter is your only hope of resetting the fight.
• Focus on the health spawns. Memorize where the "full health" pickups are. In the higher difficulty settings, the AI will camp these spots. You need to get there first.

There’s a nuance to the "Advanced Attacks" that most casual players miss. If you input specific button combos (like Up, Down, Up), you can trigger powers without using weapon pickups. Mastering these is the difference between being a victim and being the champion of the tournament.

The legacy of a "handheld" masterpiece

Twisted Metal Head On proved that you didn't need a massive console to have a "premium" experience. It took the core DNA of the 90s and shoved it into a portable format without losing the grit. It’s a testament to the design philosophy of the era: gameplay first, cinematic fluff second.

The game remains a high-water mark for the series because it understood the balance between humor and horror. It didn't take itself too seriously, but it still made you care about a guy trapped in two giant wheels or a woman seeking revenge for her sister.

If you want to experience the peak of car combat, this is where you start.

Actionable Steps for Retrogaming Enthusiasts

1. Check your PS Plus Subscription: Look for the "Classics" section. Head On is often included in the Premium tier.
2. Toggle the Graphics: If playing on modern hardware, use the "Retro" or "NTSC" filters. The game was designed for smaller screens, and the filters help hide the jagged edges of the 2005-era polygons.
3. Remap the Controls: The original PSP layout used the face buttons for acceleration. On a DualSense controller, remap these to the triggers (R2/L2). It’ll feel much more natural for a modern gamer.
4. Explore the "Lost" Levels: If you’re on the PS2 version (or an emulator), prioritize the Harbor City content. It’s a fascinating look at a "lost" piece of gaming history that explains where the series was headed before it was rebooted.

Whether you're a veteran who remembers the smell of a new PS1 manual or a newcomer curious about why people love a killer clown in an ice cream truck, Twisted Metal Head On is the definitive way to play. It’s fast, it’s mean, and it’s gloriously loud.

Don't bother looking for a deeper meaning in the carnage. Just pick Sweet Tooth, find a power missile, and start driving.

Next Steps:

• Search for the Twisted Metal: Extra Twisted Edition documentary on YouTube to see the original development footage.
• Download the game on PS5 to test the "Rewind" feature on the final boss fight.
• Look up the Twisted Metal Energy Attack cheat codes; they are essential for mastering the Hard difficulty setting.