Pre-release and unused content

Before the release of any Midnight Club game, there were features that were removed from the final product.

Most of the content was found by RacingFreak, Gagarsa05, WikiaIvan1997, LCPDCV, Sajmon14, and others. Some of the information is taken from The Cutting Room Floor.

Midnight Club: Street Racing

 * The engine itself of the game was very similar to Midtown Madness 2.
 * The vehicle selection screen was different, the background being different, and without statistics at the bottom and in the left. Also, the vehicles in the vehicle selection screen were shinier.
 * The speedometer was different, with no damage meter and gear indicator.
 * There was only one song. The pitch of the song was different, but at the final beta and final builds, the pitch of the song changed and the song had problems looping.
 * When the player or the hookman reach a racing point, a message will say "You da man".
 * The map was different, the background was black and no blue outlines at the second and third beta build.
 * The menus were slightly different than the final version.
 * The HUD was slightly different, the timer and position is also different and lacked outlines, but at later beta builds, it had the outlines at the HUD.
 * The arrow of the player is red like hookmen, and is smaller at the second early release and at the third early release the arrow was the same size as the hookmen and changed color to dark blue, at the fourth early release the arrow's color is changed to white.
 * The hookman's X-ray color was yellow and the homeboy's X-ray color was green.
 * The cars had the same car engine sound, mitdrive.vag, as a placeholder, because most of the car's engine sounds were not made yet.
 * The police appeared at cruise mode at the second and third early releases, however, they did not chase the player.
 * Most of the hookmen's vehicles had different colors.
 * Some sound effects were missing.
 * The screeching tire sound has a slightly different sound effect.
 * The waypoint cleared sound effect was lower-pitched.
 * Particle effects on lampposts and traffic lights looked a lot bigger and different.
 * The sky was cloudier.
 * The arrow pointing the player to every checkpoint was originally green.
 * There were more rain reflections on the road, probably removed because of hardware limitations and lagging issues.
 * Smoke was much more nerfed.
 * There were blur effects removed.
 * The lightning was different.
 * At Times Square in New York City, the commercials at the first early release never animated, at the second early release some of the commercials were replaced by other commercials and been made animated, at the last early release the commercials at the commercial district were replaced again and removed.
 * A lot of cars lacked decals.
 * A lot of traffic cars were cut or remodeled.
 * Some cars were cut;
 * The Amata Crescendo, based on the Nissan Skyline, was supposed to be a separate car, evidenced by its unused models and textures.
 * Similarly, another Amata Fiorenza, basename vp_ferrariclassb, was supposed to be on the Amata group of cars, but was cut.
 * A tractor with the basename vp_tractor was supposed to be another playable vehicle, but was scrapped due to possibly not fitting within the street racing theme. Its engine and selection sounds remain. It was possibly replaced by the Taxi Cabs Marauder.
 * There is a cut police truck found in the game files. It was probably cut in favor of the Meter Maid.
 * Tokyo, internally named t01, was planned to appear but was scrapped. Chicago from Midtown Madness, internally named c01, can also be found in the game files of beta builds. Also, a character named Yamashiro was supposed to appear, according to his model dr_mitsu.pkg, but was cut.

In-game 3D models

 * In files of the game, there is an early model of an unreleased car, called SLF400 (vp_slf400).
 * In files of the game, there is an unused prop of a cop car (l_prop_copcar_01x). Strangely, it has no textures, no wheels, and no collision. It resembles a 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria.
 * In the PlayStation 2 version of the game, there are a few unused traffic cars found in the game files. In the Xbox and PC versions of the game, only va_accord_t, va_cargotruck_small01_t, va_firetruck_l, and va_trashtruck_p are present, while the rest of the models were removed altogether. Although they still have UV data on them, their textures are missing:
 * vp_206_p - Not to be confused with vp_peugeot206_p, which is the model used in-game. It has the shape of a Peugeot 206 CC. It was originally meant for Paris.
 * va_accord_t - A duplicate of va_accord_l used in Los Angeles with different UV mapping and mirrors. It was originally meant for Tokyo.
 * va_audi_s3_p - Has the shape of an Audi S3 (8L), originally meant for Paris.
 * va_bmw_l - Has the shape of a BMW 3-Series (E36) sedan. It was originally meant for Los Angeles.
 * va_bustour_p - No leftover files were left. It was originally meant for Paris.
 * va_cargotruck_small01_t - An unused kei cargo truck based on the 1999 Mazda Bongo. It has six colors in total. It was originally meant for Tokyo, but it was left unused for unknown reasons.
 * va_copcar1_l and va_copcar2_l - Early police cars which have the shape of a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, the former being a slicktop and the latter having a siren. They were originally meant for Los Angeles and possible earlier models of the traffic LA Cop (va_lacop).
 * va_crv_l - Has the shape of a Honda CR-V (RD1). It was originally meant for Los Angeles.
 * va_firetruck_l - An unused fire truck based on the 1988 International 4000-Series. It was originally meant for Los Angeles, but it was left unused for unknown reasons. Its side texture (va_firetruck_l_side.tex) is completely blank in the PlayStation 2 version.
 * va_funicular_p_worked - An unused version of va_funicular_p in a slightly different position.
 * va_garbagetruck_big_p - No leftover files were left, although it is assumed to be an earlier name for va_trashtruck_p. It was originally meant for Paris.
 * va_humlimo_l - Has the shape of a Hummer H1 limousine. It was originally meant for Los Angeles.
 * va_polo_p - Has the shape of a Volkswagen Polo (Typ 6N). It was originally meant for Paris.
 * va_semitruck_l - An unfinished version of va_18wheeler with slightly different taillight designs and positions.
 * va_trashtruck_p - An unused garbage truck based on the Renault G-Series. It was originally meant for Paris.
 * The Vampire was supposed to appear as another playable vehicle, however, it was cut. Only four texture files remain.
 * Also, another unknown vehicle, named Crusader, was supposed to appear as another vehicle, however, it was also cut. Only two texture files remain.
 * In some screenshots, the Boost and the Bryanston V had different colors. They were changed at the game's release.
 * One of Paris' loading screens contains an early Alarde, which has indicator lights, resembling more of a real-life Lotus Elise, however, in-game, they are remodeled out.
 * The Veloci's rear bumper and exhausts were different, having quad tip exhausts and a split rear grille, resembling more of a real life Saleen S7, but this was changed.
 * The 1971 Bestia had a split grille like its real-life counterpart, the Pontiac GTO.
 * In earlier videos and screenshots, the Fripon X originally had vinyls on its sides, but was completely removed.
 * The Citi had different vinyls in some screenshots and videos.
 * There is a texture file named vp_whl_vanquish.tex, which is an unused wheel texture that was going to be used on the Victory, suggesting that it was used in some point of the game's development, however, it uses the vp_whl_911.tex wheel texture instead. It can be restored by renaming the file to vp_whl_911.tex.
 * There is also an unused texture named vp_integra_tlight.tex, which was the original taillight texture of the Torrida, however, it uses vp_supraa_taillight.tex instead. If applied to the Torrida, it will look mirrored. The same applies to the Boost, where it uses vp_civica_taillight2.tex, however, its unused texture, vp_puma_tlight.tex, can be applied to this car, however, it will also look mirrored.
 * There are notable differences in the game's official website, which is no longer accessible due to Adobe Flash being discontinued:
 * The Alarde had different wheels, had indicator lights and looked more of a real-life Lotus Elise.
 * The Modo Prego had different taillights.
 * The Torque JX had sponsor decals, similar to the previous game.
 * The Citi also had sponsor decals.

Audio and dialogue

 * According to unused audio files, police helicopters were supposed to appear in Tokyo.
 * Similarly, unused audio files suggested that Ian's races were supposed to have cops.
 * In the game files, there are unused bike voice files for all Tokyo racers (except Savo and Zen), suggesting that in the pre-release version, they used to have a bike as their secondary vehicle, similar to Ian, and that Zen was initially going to drive a car.
 * On the other hand, unused audio files suggest that Gina was also going to drive a bike as her secondary vehicle instead of Mauro.
 * The PlayStation 2 version of the game has somewhat more higher quality sounds, which is more noticeable on the main menu, yet in the PC version, the sounds had somewhat lower quality sounds.
 * The intro from the March 2003 build is slightly longer and there were some differences in the car models.
 * The song "Live 135" by Patientzero was slightly different.
 * The song "Sissy" by Chaka Demus was cut since Rockstar Games never obtained the license for the song. It was presumably used for Diego's race.
 * "Follow" and "CPRace" versions (short samples of a song used when following a racer and career mode races, respectively) for these songs were considered but they never made it in the final game:
 * Blu Warta - Midnight Club 2 (the "follow" version is left unused in the final game's files. It has no "cprace" version)
 * Tommy Tee feat. Masta Ace - What is It ("follow" version only)
 * Kinnder - Space Station (one "follow" version and two "cprace" versions)
 * Mistress Barbara vs. Barbara Brown - Never Could I Have Your Heart (one "follow" version and one "cprace" version)
 * Golden Boy with Miss Kittin - Nix (has a "cprace" version but not a "follow" version)
 * Antenna - Round About Midnight (the "follow" version is used when completing Paris races)
 * Thomas Bangalter - Turbo (one "follow" version)
 * Golden Boy with Miss Kittin - It's Good for You to Meet People Like Us (two "follow" versions and two "cprace" versions)
 * Felix da Housecat - Sequel2sub (one "follow" version and one "cprace" version)
 * Thomas Bangalter - Outrun (two "follow" versions and one "cprace" version)
 * D-Noiser - Brain 29 "Demon of the Church" (the "follow" version is unused)
 * D-Noiser - Brain 30 "Brain Train Psycho" (TB-303 Mix) (one "follow" version and two "cprace" versions)

Other

 * Jewel used to be called Jenny during development.
 * There are 52 unused loading screens in .bik format. They can easily be restored by converting them to TGA and renaming them to the appropriate file name. Strangely, the Tokyo loading screens are absent, except for Ricky's Revenge and the cruise mode loading screens.
 * The sky was different.
 * The Cocotte and the Citi Turbo were originally sponsored by JD Edelbrock but this was changed. The logo remains in the game files but it is not used. Its string can still be used in-game.
 * Similarly, the 1971 Bestia was sponsored by Team Baurtwell, but this was changed. Although its logo is shown after Drag is completed, the logo remains in the game files but it is not used. Its string was replaced by the Comp Cams string.
 * Unused images for all cars are present in the March 2003 build of the game, possibly used for the game's menu. For some reason, the images for the Cocotte, Cohete, Citi Turbo, SLF450X, SLF400, and the Vampire are absent and are just blank files.

Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

 * As seen in one of the early gameplay videos, sky in the PlayStation Portable version was more like in the PlayStation 2 and Xbox releases.
 * It used the arrow from Midnight Club II, probably as a placeholder.
 * It used the particle effects from Midnight Club II, probably as placeholders.
 * The garage looked different than the final.
 * The reflections were much better, but were changed due to hardware limitations.
 * Two BMW cars, the 328i (E46) and the Z3 are referenced in the game files, however, Rockstar never obtained a BMW license for the game.
 * Additionally, another BMW car, the Mini Cooper S, is referenced in the game files, which would have been a D-class tuner.
 * A Toyota Celica, a Honda CBR, a Yahama RZF-R1. a car named "novagp" (which would refer to a Chevrolet Nova), a car named "grandprix" (which would refer to a Pontiac Grand Prix GXP), a car named "vega" (which would refer to a Chevrolet Vega), and an unknown car named "GT600". It's unknown if these cars were ever intended to be added to the game, or their sounds were recorded and used as references/in the game itself. Some cars in the game do not have names listed here, meaning some cars likely use these samples. In Midnight Club II, there exists a z3.td, cbr.td, bmw.td among others, which means that some of these files were likely renamed and carried over from the previous game. Also, a Maybach 60 and references to ATVs and dirtbikes are listed in the game's memory.
 * Certain songs were listed in the game files but they were cut due to licensing issues. Some songs were considered loading screen music, but are unused, including "Revolution" by Authority Zero, which was featured in MX VS ATV: Unleashed.
 * Some aftermarket parts are only available for NPC opponents:
 * Many generic motorcycle riders are exclusive to NPC opponents. These riders typically feature a covered face via a helmet or mask as well as no cloth physics, contrasting player riders.
 * An unused body kit, grille, and tinted taillights for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS (Gen VII) can be seen on NPC opponents. This body kit is based on a real '96 Impala SS featured by Dub Magazine, as seen on an Impala SS diecast model in the Dub City line by Jada Toys. Additionally, the exhaust can be changed whereas this is normally impossible.
 * An unused aftermarket hood for tuners featuring two carbon fiber slits can be seen in use by various NPC presets. This hood model exists for each tuner, and was also remodeled for the tuners featured in Remix.
 * Carbon fiber hoods are seen in use by many NPCs on vehicles where they normally aren't available, typically exotics.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

 * A possible airport is visible to the player, though it is unknown if it was cut or not.
 * The checkpoints originally lacked arrows.
 * There were signs saying "no cruising zone" on traffic lights.
 * The Hollywood sign looked different and more cartoonish.
 * There are many songs cut from the game, including Freddie Cruger's song "Running From Love".
 * The Nissan GT-R (R35) is a cut car in the files of the game. The car would have been an A-Class, Group 4 Tuner.