Before Grand Theft Auto III redefined open world gaming and catapulted Rockstar into global dominance, the studio was already experimenting with large scale, free roaming experiences through another franchise: Midnight Club. While it never reached the cultural saturation of GTA, Midnight Club carved out a distinct identity, one that many players still remember with a kind of reverence usually reserved for gaming’s biggest icons. In hindsight, it is one of the most underrated racing series of its era, quietly fading away during the 7th generation of consoles.