100
Hands down, the best arcade racer ever made. Ever. [Oct 2004, p.99]
100
Racing games have now changed forever, and entirely for the better - for that there can be no higher recommendation. It's that good.
100
Burnout 3 is special. It's not just another racing game, and despite lacking certain features car enthusiasts hold dear (such as customisation and ultra realism) it's easily the most fun we've ever had with any racing game. [Oct 2004, p.96]
0
CPU racers very obviously rubberband in every single race, making it impossible for the player to open up any sort of lead against them even if he drives literally perfectly. Crash physics are comically inconsistent, you can smash into a wall going 100 MPH and nothing happens but if you so much as look at certain obstacles the wrong way then your car goes pinwheeling a mile into the air and your entire race is lost. It's unbelievably pathetic that the game was released in this state, where the only way the computer can beat you is if it literally cheats to do so. The developers should be ashamed of themselves.
10
Arguably one of if not THE best arcade racing games ever made. The soundtrack is incredible, the moment to moment gameplay is intense and gripping and surprisingly tight for a PS2 racer. the "takedown" mechanics to this day have never been matched outside of the Burnout franchise. The only real negatives are that the rubber banding can be a little crazy at times and I would potentially like to see maybe one or two more unique locales on offer. I'd say no game is perfect but this is as close as we have ever gotten.
10
one of the best games ever made! 10 out of 10 I have played this game for so many hours , one of the best games of all time imo
Burnout 3: Takedown
Xbox
Released On:
Sep 7, 2004
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
94
User score
Generally Favorable
8.7
My Score
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim
94
100% Positive
76 Reviews
76 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
The visuals are cleaner, more vibrant, and oozing with a slick presentation. The audio is, to coin a phrase from Good Times, "Dy-no-mite!"
100
Burnout 3 is special. It's not just another racing game, and despite lacking certain features car enthusiasts hold dear (such as customisation and ultra realism) it's easily the most fun we've ever had with any racing game. [Oct 2004, p.96]
User score
Generally Favorable
8.7
87% Positive
323 Ratings
323 Ratings
10% Mixed
37 Ratings
37 Ratings
3% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
May 18, 2026
10
Arguably one of if not THE best arcade racing games ever made. The soundtrack is incredible, the moment to moment gameplay is intense and gripping and surprisingly tight for a PS2 racer. the "takedown" mechanics to this day have never been matched outside of the Burnout franchise. The only real negatives are that the rubber banding can be a little crazy at times and I would potentially like to see maybe one or two more unique locales on offer. I'd say no game is perfect but this is as close as we have ever gotten.
Dec 25, 2025
10
one of the best games ever made! 10 out of 10 I have played this game for so many hours , one of the best games of all time imo
96
With amazingly addictive gameplay, fabulous graphics, astonishing speed and enjoyable online gameplay (when EA's servers are cooperating) one cannot help but not want to play this title all the time.
95
Even if driving games aren't normally your thing, Burnout 3 is still right for you. It's <I>that</I> good. It ranks among the best racing games ever made...An amazing achievement that anyone with a pulse will probably love.
92
The speed is staggering, and the smashes spectacular...Burnout 3 blows the doors off its predecessors with bliteringly fast online play, a massive single-player mode lousy with unlockables, and all the right gameplay tweaks. [Oct 2004, p.100]
90
As it stands, it's the offline arcade racing game to end them all, with an online implementation that falls frustratingly short of expectations.
75
A dose of high-quality gaming fast food that tastes fine but leaves you wanting something that sticks. [Oct 2004, p.77]
Nov 11, 2025
10
This game is the closest we've come to a perfect racing game. It's going to be a long time before someone tops it.
Jul 29, 2025
10
Very good game very very good **** revenge is better and revenge is my childhood game
Jan 13, 2025
10
El mejor maldito dios todo poderoso juego de carreras que jamás allá existido, si no lo has jugado no me quiero ni imaginar de que hoyo olvidado por Dios saliste.
Jul 15, 2021
7
I like Burnout 3, but I kind of prefer Burnout Revenge more. Burnout 3 is considered the best in the series, but I guess I might feel the same way if I had grown up with it. Don't get me wrong on all this, I still like the game. it's one of the best Burnout games, but even though Revenge was just an expansion of this game, I still like it just a bit more.
Jun 20, 2026
0
CPU racers very obviously rubberband in every single race, making it impossible for the player to open up any sort of lead against them even if he drives literally perfectly. Crash physics are comically inconsistent, you can smash into a wall going 100 MPH and nothing happens but if you so much as look at certain obstacles the wrong way then your car goes pinwheeling a mile into the air and your entire race is lost. It's unbelievably pathetic that the game was released in this state, where the only way the computer can beat you is if it literally cheats to do so. The developers should be ashamed of themselves.
SummaryBurnout 3 takes the hit series even further, now featuring a unique "crash and burn" racing concept and a one-of-a-kind special effects engine that delivers spectacular visuals. The intensity heats up as players race, and often crash, their way through oncoming traffic in an attempt to claim the top spot. Boasting multiple single-player,... Read More
Rated Tfor Teen
Platforms:
- PlayStation 2
- Xbox
Initial Release Date:Sep 7, 2004
Developer:
- Criterion Games
Publisher:
