View source for Midnight Club II

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Midnight Club II
| image = Midnight Club II Coverart.jpg
| developer = [[Rockstar San Diego]]
| publisher = [[Rockstar Games]]
| series = ''[[Midnight Club]]''
| director = Steven Olds
| producer = Jay Panek
| designer = Mauro Fiore
| programmer = Ted Carson<br>Mark Rotenberg
| artist = Scott Stoabs<br>David Hong
| writer = Gillian Telling<br>Marc Fernandez
| released = '''PlayStation 2'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|April 8, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2003-04-08 |title=Rockstar Ships Midnight Club II |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/08/rockstar-ships-midnight-club-ii |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824054738/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/08/rockstar-ships-midnight-club-ii |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-04-13 |title=NEWS |url=http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclub2/news.html |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030413025010/http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclub2/news.html |archive-date=April 13, 2003}}</ref>|EU|May 2, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-05-02 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news020503whatsnew |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330151816/https://www.eurogamer.net/news020503whatsnew |url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''Xbox'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 4, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-06-08 |title=GameZone.com - Xbox News - Rockstar Games Ships Midnight Club II For The Xbox |url=http://xbox.gamezone.com/news/06_04_03_08_00PM.htm |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608113426/http://xbox.gamezone.com/news/06_04_03_08_00PM.htm |archive-date=June 8, 2003}}</ref>|EU|June 20, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-06-20 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news200603whatsnew |access-date=2023-03-28}}</ref>}}'''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|July 1, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zucker |first=Gabrielle |date=July 1, 2003 |title=Rockstar Games Ships Midnight Club II for the PC |pages=1–2 |work=Take-Two Interactive |url=https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/ef7600f1-84e4-45dc-8c2b-ecb701110663 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328131235/https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/ef7600f1-84e4-45dc-8c2b-ecb701110663 |url-status=live }}</ref>|EU|July 11, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-07-11 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news110703whatsnew |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328131232/https://www.eurogamer.net/news110703whatsnew |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<br />[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br/>[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| caption = Cover art featuring Maria, Dice, and Moses with Saikou XS and Monsoni
}}

'''''Midnight Club II''''' is a 2003 [[racing video game]] developed by [[Rockstar San Diego]] and published by [[Rockstar Games]] for [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Midnight Club: Street Racing]]'' and the first in the series to feature motorcycles. Players can race through cities such as [[Los Angeles]], [[Paris]], and [[Tokyo]]. The game received positive reviews.

==Gameplay==
[[File:MClub 2.jpg|left|thumb|215px|In-game screenshot of ''Midnight Club II'' in Paris]]
Races (Career and Arcade) consist of a series of checkpoints, represented by columns of light. In most races, the order in which the checkpoints must be cleared is prescribed. In this case, a transparent, glowing arrow points to the next checkpoint. In a few other races, the checkpoints may be cleared in any order. In that case, the arrow spins randomly without pointing in any particular direction. It is up to the player which route to take from one checkpoint to the next. There are no artificial barriers in the game's [[open world]] environment that force the player to stay on a specific course. Any area that is drivable or jumpable in the free-roaming cruise mode between races may be used to get to the next checkpoint.

Some areas can be driven upon that are not intended for such use outside of a computer game. Examples are escalators, roofs, railways and riverbeds and many ramps. However, many areas that would be drivable in reality, for example entrances and some stairs, are fenced off with invisible barriers. In some areas, the player can jump or drop down. Using this to the player's advantage can be necessary in order to win a race. If the car falls into deep water, the damage meter goes to its maximum stage and the car is instantly totaled, the race being immediately lost.
 
Various details have been improved compared to its predecessor ''[[Midnight Club: Street Racing]]''. Vehicles and cities have been developed from scratch, but many new features were added as well. 2-Wheel drive, Burnout, Weight Balance (for motorbikes) were all unique to the game. The game also features [[3D modeling#Models|damage models]]. The amount of damage inflicted upon a car is indicated by both an [[HUD (video gaming)|HUD]] indicator and visual damage to the car. The performance of a car does not degrade with damage like some other racing games. When the damage limit of a car is exceeded, the car explodes or stalls. After a delay of a few seconds, the player can continue with an undamaged version of the same car.

Dry, hilly suburbs and congested interstates can be found throughout [[Los Angeles]], and just like its [[Midnight Club: Street Racing|predecessor]], the city contains many landmarks, as well as numerous shortcuts and jumps. [[Paris]] is home to cobblestone alleyways, monumental roundabouts, and the [[Paris Catacombs]], as well as jumps across the river [[Seine]] and into alleyways. [[Tokyo]] is a city of neon-glittering avenues and tight alleyways, and contains an equal array of tourist sights and attractions.

The vehicles in ''Midnight Club II'' all resemble real-life vehicles but have subtle differences to their counterparts, such as different [[headlamp]]s or [[Automotive lighting#Rear position lights (tail lights)|tail lights]]. Also, most of them have aesthetical modifications commonly found in [[street racing]] and [[import scene]]s, such as [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoilers]], [[hood scoop]]s, and [[body kit]]s.

In the car selection menu, descriptions and stats of each vehicle can be seen, along with the option to choose among 4 colors. Once a car is viewed, a sound effect unique to that car is played in the background.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epS2TtlL_OE |title=All 31 of the Midnight Club II Vehicles (with stats). |date=June 17, 2012 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |accessdate=June 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630015744/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epS2TtlL_OE&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Each character will cruise around the city, waiting for a challenge. This excludes Moses, who helps the player begin the Career Mode, as well as the four champions who will seek the player out after all predecessors are beaten. They will talk to the player or "think loudly" during pre-race cut-scenes, during which the player can discover their motives, see the statistics of their vehicle, and learn each character's unique theme song.

''Midnight Club II'' also features an online multiplayer component. The Xbox version was supported through [[Xbox network|Xbox Live]] which was shut down on April 15, 2010. ''The game'' is now supported online with replacement online servers for the Xbox called [[Insignia (Xbox)|Insignia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insignia - Midnight Club II |url=https://insignia.live/games/54540008 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=insignia.live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2023-11-16 |title=Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119052021/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Development==
The game had a marketing budget of $6.1 million.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paula|last=Parisi|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA121283480&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=338d29b3|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903113501/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA121283480&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=338d29b3|title=Game points|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archivedate=September 3, 2024|date=August 10, 2004|accessdate=September 4, 2024|via=[[Gale Research]]}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The album was released at [[E3]] in 2003 as a promotional gift.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Midnight-Club-II-Soundtrack-Sampler/release/2245616 |title=Midnight Club II Soundtrack Sampler |date=April 8, 2003 |publisher=[[Discogs]] |accessdate=June 17, 2012}}</ref> It consists of mainly [[techno music|techno]] and [[trance music|trance]] music along with [[rap music]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/MidnightClub2OST |title=Midnight Club II Soundtrack page |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=June 8, 2012 |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920164402/https://www.youtube.com/user/MidnightClub2OST |url-status=live }}</ref> The soundtrack contains 38 tracks produced by various artists. The tracks "Outrun" and "Extra Dry" were featured in the 2002 film ''[[Irréversible (soundtrack)|Irreversible]]'' and produced by [[Thomas Bangalter]].

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| Allgame_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott Alan |last=Marriott |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39403&tab=review |title=Midnight Club II (PS2) - Review |publisher=[[AllGame]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116051401/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39403&tab=review |archivedate=November 16, 2014 |accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_XBOX = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott Alan |last=Marriott |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42161&tab=review |title=Midnight Club II (Xbox) - Review |publisher=AllGame |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116094446/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42161&tab=review |archivedate=November 16, 2014 |accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
| Edge_PC = 5/10<ref name=Edge>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Midnight Club II |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=125 |date=July 2003}}</ref>
| Edge_PS2 = 5/10<ref name=Edge/>
| Edge_XBOX = 5/10<ref name=Edge/>
| EGM_PS2 = 8.83/10<ref>{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1490473,00.asp |title=Midnight Club 2 (PS2) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=168 |date=June 2003 |page=111 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040330030654/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1490473%2C00.asp |archivedate=March 30, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| EGM_XBOX = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1489562,00.asp |title=Midnight Club 2 (Xbox) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=170 |date=August 2003 |page=116 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040331040833/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1489562%2C00.asp |archivedate=March 31, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| EuroG_PS2 = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Kristan |last=Reed |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_midnightclub2_ps2 |title=Midnight Club II (PS2) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=May 7, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820073915/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_midnightclub2_ps2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG_XBOX = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Kristan |last=Reed |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_midnightclub2_x |title=Midnight Club II (Xbox) |website=Eurogamer |date=July 7, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820035131/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_midnightclub2_x |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Matthew |last=Kato |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200305/R03.0729.1610.15052.htm |title=Midnight Club 2 (PS2) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=121 |date=May 2003 |page=76 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917094008/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200305/R03.0729.1610.15052.htm |archive-date=September 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andy |last=McNamara |url=http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200307/R03.0807.1605.13790.htm?CS_pid=210324 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070528113350/http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200307/R03.0807.1605.13790.htm?CS_pid=210324 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2007 |title=Midnight Club II (Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |issue=123 |date=July 2003 |page=113 |access-date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Major Mike |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28947.shtml |title=Midnight Club II Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |date=April 14, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207073624/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28947.shtml |archivedate=February 7, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Dan Elektro |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/29610.shtml |title=Midnight Club II Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |date=June 3, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208013055/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/29610.shtml |archivedate=February 8, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GameRev_PS2 = B<ref>{{cite web |first=Angela K. |last=Connor |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/midnight-club-ii |title=Midnight Club II Review (PS2) |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |date=April 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050157/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/midnight-club-ii |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 7.2/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6071928/ |title=Midnight Club II Review (PC) |website=GameSpot |date=July 18, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008161143/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6071928/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 7.3/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6024936/ |title=Midnight Club II Review (PS2) |website=GameSpot |date=April 10, 2003 |accessdate=September 15, 2014 |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121074742/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6024936/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_XBOX = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6029621/ |title=Midnight Club II Review (Xbox) |website=GameSpot |date=June 6, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=December 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201073920/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midnight-club-ii-review/1900-6029621/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_PC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Sal |last=Accardo |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/midnight-club-ii/5976p1.html |title=GameSpy: Midnight Club II (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=July 8, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324000015/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/midnight-club-ii/5976p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Bryn |last=Williams |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/midnight-club-ii/5765p1.html |title=GameSpy: Midnight Club II (PS2) |publisher=GameSpy |date=April 10, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324000957/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/midnight-club-ii/5765p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Bryn |last=Williams |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/midnight-club-ii/5879p1.html |title=GameSpy: Midnight Club II (Xbox) |publisher=GameSpy |date=June 3, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324000643/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/midnight-club-ii/5879p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone_PC = 8.4/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Raymond |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/midnight_club_2_pc_review |title=Midnight Club 2 - PC - Review |publisher=GameZone |date=July 27, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003003455/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20345.htm |archivedate=October 3, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Louis |last=Bedigian |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/midnight_club_2_ps2_review |title=Midnight Club 2 - PS2 - Review |publisher=GameZone |date=April 13, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005214206/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20345.htm |archivedate=October 5, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Romano |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/midnight_club_2_xb_review |title=Midnight Club 2 - XB - Review |publisher=GameZone |date=June 9, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006061249/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20345.htm |archivedate=October 6, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Butts |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/03/midnight-club-ii-review |title=Midnight Club II Review (PC) |website=[[IGN]] |date=July 3, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=October 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015053436/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/03/midnight-club-ii-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/08/midnight-club-ii-3 |title=Midnight Club II (PS2) |website=IGN |date=April 8, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020153126/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/08/midnight-club-ii-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Aaron |last=Boulding |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/05/midnight-club-ii-review-2 |title=Midnight Club II Review (Xbox) |website=IGN |date=June 4, 2003 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820040026/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/05/midnight-club-ii-review-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1490475,00.asp |title=Midnight Club 2 |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=April 2003 |page=82 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407104035/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1490475%2C00.asp |archivedate=April 7, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
| OXM_XBOX = 9.3/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Midnight Club II |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |date=August 2003 |page=80}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 88%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Midnight Club II |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |date=October 2003 |page=102}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1_PC = B+<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |first=Noah |last=Robischon |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/07/18/driving-forces |title=Driving Forces |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=719 |date=July 18, 2003 |page=82 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=May 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514015946/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/07/18/driving-forces |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1_PS2 = B+<ref name="ew"/>
| rev1_XBOX = B+<ref name="ew"/>
| rev2 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev2_PS2 = 8/10<ref name="villagevoice"/>
| MC_PC = 81/100<ref name="mcpc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Midnight Club II for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=October 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306164810/https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 85/100<ref name="mcps2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Midnight Club II for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=October 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306164823/https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 86/100<ref name="mcxb">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Midnight Club II for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=October 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306164825/https://www.metacritic.com/game/midnight-club-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
The game was met with positive reception. [[Metacritic]] gave it a score of 85 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version<ref name="mcps2"/> 86 out of 100 for the Xbox version,<ref name="mcxb"/> and 81 out of 100 for the PC version.<ref name="mcpc"/>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave it a B+ and stated that "whether racing against the clock or attempting to beat the other drivers in checkpoint contests, memorizing the maps and finding the many shortcuts is crucial".<ref name="ew"/> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' gave the PS2 version a score of eight out of ten and wrote that "the only way [Rockstar] could make [the game] better would be to set it in Boston, where drunks get kicked out of the bars long after the T has shut down, flooding construction-choked highways".<ref name="villagevoice">{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Catucci |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/sharp-shooters-6410262 |title=Sharp Shooters |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=June 3, 2003 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092457/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/sharp-shooters-6410262 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' also gave the game a score of eight out of ten and said that "it may not boast garages bloated with the usual name-brand chick magnets you find in other racing games, but the dark racing underbelly of ''Midnight Club II'' has every bit as many thrills as the leading grease monkey autopia".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ryan |last=Boyce |url=http://www.maxim.com/gaming/midnight-club-ii |title=Midnight Club II (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |date=April 9, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906000436/http://www.maxim.com/gaming/midnight-club-ii |archivedate=September 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Playboy]]'' gave it 75% and noted its controls as "touchy" and imprecise.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Midnight Club II (PS2, Xbox) |journal=[[Playboy]] |date=July 2003 |page=34}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclub2/mc2_home.html ''Midnight Club II'' official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20201126212705/https://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclub2/ ''Midnight Club II'' official website] ([[Internet Archive]])
* {{moby game|id=/midnight-club-ii}}

{{Midnight Club series}}
{{Rockstar San Diego}}
{{Rockstar Games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Midnight Club games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Open-world video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Rockstar Games games]]
[[Category:Street racing video games]]
[[Category:Take-Two Interactive games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Video games set in Paris]]
[[Category:Video games set in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]