Axel is a "vehicle" featured in the Twisted Metal series, making its first appearance in Twisted Metal 2, and has gone onto appear in all games since. One of the more iconic vehicles of the series, it is known for its unique appearance, good armor, and consistent special move.
Description[]
In all of its appearances, Axel is a "vehicle" comprised of a pair of massive wheels, with the "driver" controlling them from in-between. Due to its functionality with its driver, Axel has been the "driver" for every game it appears except for Twisted Metal (2012).
In all games but Small Brawl, its special weapon is a shockwave that serves as an area-of-effect attack, although Twisted Metal Black, and Twisted Metal (2012) give it an alternate special where the driver encases themselves within the wheels, giving it extra ramming damage.
Entries[]
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Axel's debut appearance was from 1996's Twisted Metal 2. |
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Axel's second appearance was from 1998's Twisted Metal III. |
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Axel's third appearance was from 1999's Twisted Metal 4, as Super Axel. He was the boss of the Amazonia 3000 B.C. level. For the first time, it is an unlockable vehicle. |
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Axel's fourth appearance was from 2001's Twisted Metal: Black, as an unlockable character. |
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Axel's fifth appearance was in Twisted Metal: Small Brawl, from the same year as the previous title. It is an unlockable vehicle. |
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Its sixth appearance was in 2005's Twisted Metal: Head-On as an unlockable vehicle. |
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Its seventh appearance was in the Lost mode from the Extra Twisted Edition of Twisted Metal: Head-On. It uses the same model from Black, but with brighter textures. |
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Its eighth appearance was in 2012's Twisted Metal as a pre-order DLC bonus, although it was eventually made available for all players.
For the first and only time, its driver is not Axel, as it can be used by any of the game's four factions. |
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Axel's ninth and final appearance was in Season 2 of the Twisted Metal TV Series (2025). |
Scrapped[]
- Axel - Twisted Metal: Harbor City: Axel was planned to appear in the cancelled Harbor City title, and it is playable in all builds available.
Trivia[]
- Axel's name is most likely a reference to the fact that he is essentially a part of the axle between the two giant wheels.
- Axel's design from TM:B and TM:SB are similar; they both don't have a platform connecting the wheels and attaching his feet.
- Axel has appeared in all games except Twisted Metal (1995), although the idea was originally suggested by a tester who worked on that title.
- In all games from Twisted Metal 4 onward, Axel has been inaccessible from the start of each game, with players needing to unlock it, or download it in the case of Twisted Metal (2012).
- Axel was intended to be playable from the start in Small Brawl, but was made to be unlockable due to having a censored ending.