Games like this live on as memories of simpler times in childhood. That's the only way they can, because no one is going to make the mistake of thinking Carmageddon II is a masterpiece. But, for me—and I'm sure many like me—fondly remember the ridiculous squishing of pedestrians and far-out power ups that were basically the developers having fun with engine tools and calling them a feature. The era of big head mode games when video games didn't take themselves so seriously.

For me, my uncle was my gateway to all the games that were not age appropriate. Carmageddon II was one of my favourites. Liberally inspired by Roger Corman's classic "Death Race 2000" the goal is to cause destruction and massacre the innocent. It really couldn't hold a candle to games like the Twisted Metal series, but I prefer it. The 90s were all about games that pushed the envelope with violence and obscenity and Carmageddon was one series that was really willing to "go there" with absolutely no shame. But it's fun and campy and should be treated as such. I think games were so eager to be violent because nuance was not something that translated well to primitive early game engines. I always hated Tomb Raider because when you kill an enemy they just fall over like a toy. You need gibs because only then you can really get the visceral response of absolute annihilation. Carmageddon II is about as visceral as annihilation can get.