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Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown
Burnout 3 - Takedown Coverart.jpg
Developer(s) Criterion Games
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Director(s) Alex Ward
Producer(s)
Designer(s)
  • Paul Cross
  • Chris Roberts
Programmer(s) Richard Parr
Artist(s) Michael Williamson
Composer(s) Stephen Root
Series Burnout
Engine RenderWare
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release date(s)
  • NA: 8 September 2004
  • EU: 10 September 2004
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Aggregate score
Aggregator Score
Metacritic 93/100 (PS2)
94/100 (Xbox)
Review scores
Publication Score
Edge 9/10
Eurogamer 9/10
Game Informer 9.25/10
GameSpot 9.5/10
GameSpy 5/5 stars
GamesTM 10/10
IGN 9.4/10 (PS2)
9.5/10 (Xbox)

Burnout 3: Takedown is a racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It is the third instalment in the Burnout series, which is characterised by fast-paced arcade racing. A staple of the series is the use of boost, earned through risky driving, to rapidly increase a car's speed. The central mechanic introduced in Burnout 3 is Takedowns, which allow players to slam their opponents until they crash. Takedowns work in conjunction with the boost system by filling up and extending the boost meter. Aside from standard circuit races, the game features modes focused on performing Takedowns on rival vehicles and causing monetary damage at a junction occupied with traffic. Each game variant is featured in a single-player campaign mode called World Tour, which serves as the primary method for unlocking new and faster cars. The game supports both online and split-screen multiplayer.

Prior to the creation Burnout 3: Takedown, UK-based development studio Criterion had been collaborating publisher Electronic Arts (EA) on a skating video game. However, disagreements over the game's creative direction led to its cancellation and falling out between the two companies. EA later approached Criterion about reuniting and partnering on a game, and so Criterion began developing Burnout 3: Takedown in June 2004 on the condition that EA would not interfere in the creative process. Over a year later, EA acquired Criterion and the Burnout series; their high expectations for Burnout 3: Takedown was influential in the acquisition. The game launched in September 2004 on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox video game consoles.

Upon release, Burnout 3: Takedown received critical acclaim from the video game press becoming one of the highest rated racing video games of all time. Critics were enthused by the shift to a more aggressive style of racing game and the addition of gameplay mechanics like Takedowns. The addictive gameplay and visuals were widely praised by reviewers, many of whom ranked Burnout 3: Takedown among the best games released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The game went on to win numerous awards including three from the British Academy Games Awards. Retrospective coverage of the game has been highly positive with some publications declaring it as the greatest arcade racer game ever made and the peak of the Burnout series.


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