Burnout

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: Nov 1, 2001
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Games Radar
    100
    [Scoring note: "Direct Hit" = 100] A ram-jammed, brain-scrambling eye shag.
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  2. FHM
    100
    More speed related fun than should be legal.
  3. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    A tense, exciting and genuinely thrilling experience. [Jan 2002, p.125]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Total Video Games
    90
    Pure exhilaration; it’s an adrenaline-fuelled romp that will satisfy even the most extreme racers out there.
  6. TotalPlayStation
    86
    More than good, really, more situated in the whole “amazing/incredibly addictive/cleverly balanced” extreme.
  7. IGN
    86
    If you're looking for a good, solid racing game that will absolutely, positively satisfy your need for an overabundance of speed and destruction, this is THE game for you.
  8. GameSpy
    83
    It's got the racing dynamic of EA's "Need for Speed" and Acclaim's "Test Drive" series, but the speed and abandon of "Crazy Taxi" and "Driver."
  9. GamerWeb Sony
    81
    A racing title that blends adrenaline-pumping racing action to its purest level. Excellent physics detection and even better physical car damage and being topped off with crisp sound makes Burnout a title that should not be overlooked.
  10. GamePen
    80
    Not only is this game a veritable orgy of enjoyment, it also manages to look and feel just as appealing.
  11. Yahoo!
    80
    Almost akin to what alcoholics would call a "moment of clarity", a prolonged amount of play reveals Burnout to suddenly be a far more enjoyable game than initially realised.
  12. GamePro
    80
    Sure, crashing is discouraging, but Burnout’s are quite a show, and you can even save your “greatest hits” to a memory card.
  13. Hot Games
    80
    So the control is a little squirrelly and the music tries for Mozart but hits Muzak instead? It doesn't matter, because the game has an overall sensation of speed and danger that forgives a lot of the flaws.
  14. GameSpot
    80
    One of the most intense and entertaining racing games on the PS2, complete with tight controls and impressive graphics.
  15. Gamezilla!
    78
    There’s not anything earth-shatteringly new in Burnout, but overall it’s a lot of fun to play.
  16. GameZone
    78
    The sound is undoubtedly Burnout's biggest flaw. The music is absolutely horrendous and deserves to be turned off at the first possible opportunity.
  17. Game Informer
    78
    A solid driver, with good control and some decent graphics, but that's about it. [Jan 2002, p.80]
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  18. TotalGames.net
    77
    Burnout is the worst example to date as you can be in first place yet still run out of time, a facet which is both infuriating, common to several courses and, considering the likelihood of at least a few collisions, utterly predictable.
  19. Operation Sports
    77
    While a fun and frantic racing game it doesn't scream out innovative and fresh.
  20. Electric Playground
    75
    The first racing game that really encourages you to get your ya-yas out.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS2 Game of 2001
43
#43 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 47
  3. Negative: 7 out of 47
  1. The_D4RknesS
    Jul 27, 2023
    0
    This game borders on rot, it is difficult for several reasons, it has a short time to reach checkpoints, the tracks are long and with manyThis game borders on rot, it is difficult for several reasons, it has a short time to reach checkpoints, the tracks are long and with many turns, the number of vehicles in traffic is enormous, The screen is so serrated that you can't see what's in front of you. If this game has something positive, it's the way the car behaves in a crash, the car's playability, the dust particles when it steps on a dirt floor , and a slow motion replay of all the accidents that happened during the race . WORST GAME OF THE SERIES… Full Review »
  2. janwe04
    Apr 8, 2022
    4
    I like the mechanics. It feels good to drive. But I don’t like anything else. The music is boring, there are not really challenges. You justI like the mechanics. It feels good to drive. But I don’t like anything else. The music is boring, there are not really challenges. You just race alone for 6 minuets. It’s boring.… Full Review »
  3. Broyax
    Apr 10, 2017
    2
    J'y ai rejoué récemment, certes il porte son âge mais pour un jeu PS2, il est étonnamment beau et toujours fluide. Le conduite est bien sûrJ'y ai rejoué récemment, certes il porte son âge mais pour un jeu PS2, il est étonnamment beau et toujours fluide. Le conduite est bien sûr 100% arcade, ce qui devrait induire une bonne maniabilité mais ce n'est pas le cas : quand la merguez part en dérapage, ça devient très délicat à gérer, surtout à pleine vitesse dans le trafic très fourni et c'est particulièrement désagréable.

    Car évidemment l'accident, c'est une perte de temps qui s'avère trop souvent rédhibitoire en raison du compte à rebours et de l'IA qui triche et ne fait jamais d'erreur ou si peu... tout cela pour gonfler une durée de vie assez faible en fait. Frustrant et rapidement pénible, Burnout est un coup d'épée dans l'eau.    … Full Review »
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