The fun was found in trying to collect every multiplier and not allowing the combo to end. Scattered across each level were multipliers, which increased your total score. With a simple press of the button, it was possible to catch other vehicles in the explosion and continue the combo. Attaining a high enough combo earned you a Crashbreaker, which allowed for the detonation of the car. Hitting other vehicles – especially buses and fuel carriers – would start a combo and gradually rack up dollars. At the start of each event, you had to initiate a crash by launching into traffic and then guiding your car around in slow motion. Instead of racing, this mode focused entirely on mayhem and causing the most amount of damage possible. How many racing games allow you to perform something so ridiculous and satisfying? Aim for the Fuel Tankīut gameplay didn’t end at that, because Burnout 3 also featured the awesome Crash mode.

As a result, you could still sabotage other racers and rack up extra points. Being taken out yourself led to a similar scene, albeit with an added tactical bonus.ĭuring a crash scene, it was possible to slow down or speed up time and control the car to a degree. And then crashing with pieces of metal and glass covering the entire screen. Taking out an opponent always showcased their wreckage in spectacular slow motion, either crashing or flying through the air. Interactions with opponents ranged from simply trading paint and light nudging to mercilessly ramming them into a wall or a bus.īurnout 3 revolved around its novel Takedown mechanic. And then, of course, if you wished to, reaching the finish line yourself to attain that coveted gold medal.īut however you put it, nothing felt as satisfying than slamming into your opponent’s side and pushing their lame-ass off the track. It was about preventing your opponents from reaching the finish line at all. Unlike many other racing games of that time period, Burnout 3 wasn’t just about reaching the finish line first. That’s another song by Franz Ferdinand, by the way. Most of its tracks were based around the rock genre and brought out the best of the game’s aggressive racing. But seriously, if it’s not obvious by now, I could easily recite the game’s whole soundtrack. Whenever I hear any of these songs, it brings back memories of carefree youth, cheap beer and unprotected… nevermind. And, of course, “I’m Not Okay” by the famous American rock band My Chemical Romance and “Just Tonight” by Jimmy Eat World. Just to name a few stand-out tracks: “This Fire” by Franz Ferdinand, “Hot Night Crash” by the Swedish all-girl rock band Sahara Hotnights (Maria Andersson is Hawt by the way), “Breathing” by Yellowcard. Not only did it compliment the racing itself, but also introduced me to many new artists, some of which I enjoy listening to even today. With games like Need for Speed, SSX3 and even the latest iteration of NHL always taking the auditory spotlight.Īnd beyond the fairly obvious selling points of Burnout 3, the main star for me was the game’s amazing soundtrack. Burnout 3’s progression was so rewarding that most of my time with the game was spent perfecting each event and unlocking every car.Įvery racing game needs an appropriate soundtrack to match its speed and Burnout 3 existed during the golden age of EA’s soundtracks. And despite their fictitious nature, all cars were a wonder to look at from bulky muscle cars to nimble sports cars, all the way to a speedy formula. In regular races, getting a shiny gold medal simply meant finishing higher, while road rage required a specific amount of takedowns.Īttaining gold medals gradually unlocked new cars and events. Each event featured a target score for earning a medal: either bronze, silver or gold. Racing took place across three distinct continents and included point-to-point races, road rage and a Crash mode. To unlock these beautiful vehicles, you had to participate in the World Tour mode.

More importantly, the cars included in the game were vaguely modelled after real manufacturers, such as Ford, Lexus and Nissan. And that’s not even considering the nitro bar, which filled from actions like drifting and driving on the oncoming lane. But when you’re going at an average of 200 miles per hour, who cares? Through the blur, you’re not going to see that car, anyway.

Burnout games are notorious for not featuring licensed cars.

Burnout 3 takedown for xbox 360