Every Burnout Game, Ranked - Investment Policy

The Burnout franchise was one of the best arcade racers of their time.

In its early days, it started out as an ordinary arcade racing game, but it truly shined with the release of Burnout 3: Takedown, featuring a unique style of play that even encouraged you to collide with your opponents. During its prime, there was simply no other game quite like Burnout.

It’s a travesty that we haven’t seen a proper Burnout game released in nearly twenty years.

2018’s Burnout Paradise Remastered offered a nostalgic experience, blending stylish aesthetics, exhilarating racing, and the excitement of spectacular wrecks and takedowns in an over-the-top manner.

Until Burnout is back again, let’s journey back in time and rate the Burnout series from least favorite to our top pick.

8. Burnout Crash!

Crashed and Burned

In simpler terms, just because I really enjoy Burnout’s Crash mode, it doesn’t necessarily mean that creating an entire game centered on the Crash mode would be a wise decision.

2011’s Burnout Crash! functioned wonderfully as a time-wasting mobile game, but when it came to being a complete Xbox Live Arcade game, it didn’t shine as brightly as other options in the market.

In contrast to mobile devices, using a top-down camera angle for the Crash mode in our game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 may not deliver the rich, full experience that fans of traditional Burnout games have come to expect, as it might seem insufficient or shallow in comparison.

If you aim for maximum chaos, it’s best to rely on the powerhouses, and I’ll delve into them further down the line.

7. Burnout

The One That Started It All

Everyone has to start somewhere, and that’s the case with 2001’s Burnout.

Launched on PlayStation 2 back in 2001, followed by versions for GameCube and Xbox the following year, Burnout stands out as an exhilarating racing game that actually rewarded players for driving recklessly and colliding with others.

As someone who’s just dived into this new game, I must admit, it doesn’t have all the iconic elements that later games in the series are famous for.

The game doesn’t have an emergency mode, and it seems more like a preview of technology rather than a complete game experience.

Currently, let me clarify, I’m not implying that Burnout is a poor game in any way; on the contrary, it was impressive for the era it was released in. However, it didn’t possess that certain element that could have put it on par with the top racing titles.

Why would we put down Gran Turismo and Mario Kart back then? Well, we got a good reason soon.

6. Burnout Dominator

No Crash? No Thank You

I’m not sure who the main audience of Burnout Dominator is.

In 2007, it was launched for both PSP and surprisingly, PS2 as well. Interestingly, this release came two years after Burnout Revenge, but unfortunately, it didn’t include many significant features that were present in the much more impressive Burnout title.

It’s particularly frustrating that this game was released two years following Burnout Legrets, a comprehensive Burnout game for PSP.

This game came out two years later than the full-featured Burnout game for PSP called Burnout Legrets.

Burnout Dominator was a disappointing step in the wrong direction for the Burnout franchise.

Instead of saying the franchise was desperate, it could be rephrased as: Burnout Paradise wasn’t rushed out; it was launched a year after fans were expecting a new game.

A significant reason for Dominator’s underwhelming performance could be attributed to the fact that it is the only game in the series not created by Criterion, who were fully engaged in developing Paradise at the time. Instead, EA UK took charge of the project, and their lack of familiarity with the franchise was evident in the final product.

5. Burnout 2: Point of Impact

A Heavy-Hitter

In contrast, Burnout 2 embodies all the qualities an excellent sequel should possess, as it led Burnout to widespread popularity with its third installment.

In Point of Impact, the series introduces a Crash mode, emphasizing that Burnout is not just an ordinary arcade racing game; instead, it focuses on collisions and chaos.

In later sequels, the Crash mode was significantly enhanced, but I believe it was the blending of Crash mode with conventional arcade racing that really set Burnout apart and attracted gamers worldwide.

The game isn’t perfect; it had some hiccups such as frame rate drops and technical glitches during multiplayer sessions. Additionally, the absence of Takedowns (a feature introduced in Burnout 3) is noticeable later on. Nevertheless, Burnout 2 served as a refreshing alternative for racing enthusiasts seeking something different from Gran Turismo 3.

4. Burnout Paradise

Open World

Ready for a hot take? I don’t like Burnout Paradise.

To put it simply, while the game technically delivers the Burnout feel exceptionally well within an open-world setting, I find myself questioning whether the Burnout series was meant to be open-world in nature.

The Burnout series excels due to the sheer chaos in each race. Victory isn’t the only goal; it’s also about eliminating your competitors.

There were too many times in Paradise when I barely saw the other drivers.

Instead of comparing it to the franchise’s high point during “Revenge” and “Takedown,” I’ve been mastering each level thoroughly, mentally bookmarking the optimal spots for quick takedowns.

Pursuing the fashionable approach in open-world gaming may lead to an experience that vaguely resembles a Burnout game when viewed closely, yet it lacks the authenticity and immersive feeling of the original.

3. Burnout Legends

An Underrated Gem

The Nintendo DS edition of Burnout Legends often receives criticism due to its poor performance, with many users finding it inoperable on the handheld device.

The PSP version, however, is everything you’ve ever wanted in a handheld Burnout game.

Instead of Dominator, which mysteriously eliminates the Crash mode, Legends offers a variety of modes, comparable to the console versions, in abundance.

All the familiar favorites are readily available for your enjoyment: Standard races, Eliminator, Road Rage, Smash, Pursuit, and additional thrilling options await you!

Sony intended the PSP (PlayStation Portable) to provide a means for playing console-quality games on a portable device.

Unfortunately, not as many games as Burnout Legends have been able to enchant players like they did. If by chance you’ve got an old PSP tucked away somewhere, I highly recommend giving it a spin – you might just find yourself smitten all over again.

2. Burnout Revenge

Dish best served cold

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In a perfectly timed sequence, Burnout Revenge debuted on the Xbox 360 just two weeks prior to Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This action-packed title served as an excellent prelude, setting the stage for the 360’s first essential game.

Little did I know that Burnout Revenge would become one of my most played games ever for Xbox 360.

Here, every distinctive and groundbreaking aspect of Takedown shines brilliantly, capitalizing fully on the advanced capabilities of the Xbox 360 hardware.

As an ardent enthusiast, I can confidently say that it was the ideal racing companion for virtual tracks. The thrill wasn’t dampened when we traded paint; in fact, it was expected and part of the exhilarating experience.

There’s a fresh addition called Traffic Attack where you can collide with non-military vehicles. However, it’s certainly not a standout or headlining feature. But, if you enjoy causing vehicle accidents and taking down cars, it sure is entertaining!

The primary issue with Burnout Revenge lies in its failure to introduce something new; instead, it seems as though the developers are merely recreating past successes rather than propelling the series into fresh territory.

Then again, if Paradise is anything to go by, maybe that’s a good thing.

1. Burnout 3: Takedown

The King

Man, let me tell you, Burnout 3: Takedown is a gaming experience like no other. There’s just this indescribable charm about it that even the awesome Burnout Revenge can’t quite match.

The game secured its top position as the finest Burnout title by skillfully blending engaging gameplay, groundbreaking innovations, and captivating visuals.

Previously hinted at, incorporating Takedowns seemed to be the key ingredient that transformed Burnout into its authentic self.

Instead of merely showcasing aggression on the track, you engaged in ‘trading paint’ with fellow racers as a strategic move to disrupt their performance – an essential tactic for achieving victory.

Beyond its Takedown features, enhanced graphics, and captivating gameplay, Burnout 3: Takedown is truly a game that emphasizes style.

In this conversation, I’ll express my admiration for the game’s soundtrack, pointing out that EA Trax stood out from the rest when selecting tracks in the 2000s.

“I can’t help but sing praises about the music in this game; it really takes me back to when EA Trax was unparalleled in its song choices during the 2000s.

Before “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” by My Chemical Romance even officially dropped, it already had people talking – a brilliant move! And the whole soundtrack does an outstanding job of encapsulating the feel of gameplay in Burnout.

Songs like “Saccharine Smile,” “Orpheus,” and “I Wanna Be Sedated” by Ash, The Ventures, and Ramones respectively, were anthems for a particular generation, and this generation spent their youth enjoying the thrill of Burnout.

2025-03-29 19:11