Colin McRae Rally 3

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Absolute Playstation
    70
    Codies made too many changes from CMR2 (the front end and in-service menus) and not enough (the graphics!) at the same time.
  2. Armchair Empire
    87
    A very good rally racer. It looks good and plays even better. For those interested in this style of racing, this title is one worth looking into.
  3. BBC Sport
    90
    That, combined with the absorbing way the game draws you into the season, through neat animations and an impossibly stylish menu system, makes this the motor sport title to own - for purists and weekend drivers alike.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    90
    There are less modes, tracks and cars but the engine has been rebuilt and offers incredible handling and realistic graphics. If you want to focus on rally racing without all the distractions, this is the game.
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  6. G4 TV
    80
    Niggling inconsistencies and slightly bland between-race presentation aside, Colin McRae Rally 3 is a beautiful, realistic, and smooth translation of rally racing. The tracks are gorgeous, challenging, and addictive.
  7. Game Chronicles
    80
    Definitely a niche game targeted to a specific group of racing fans, mainly hardcore rally racers. With its ultra-realistic driving and damage model combined with a distinct lack of game modes and content, this may not be the game for everyone.
  8. Game Informer
    88
    Although the game's career mode is a little dry (compared to "V-Rally 3") and the damage is forgiving, Colin McRae Rally 3 contains some stunning graphics and is a powerful, mesmerizing experience. [May 2003, p.83]
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  9. Game Revolution
    83
    That you can only tweak the Ford Focus and drive only as McRae in the Championship mode is a little silly, but the game still kicks ass and is a lot of fun to play. And that's what really counts in my video game drawer.
  10. GamePro
    90
    The feel of the driving is what earned the McRae series its reputation, and the controls remain impeccable in this PS2 edition.
  11. Gamer's Pulse
    60
    Due to its paltry length and lack of decent multiplayer options, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this game. It is, however, a solid offering.
  12. GameSpot
    83
    The most realistic rally game released for the PlayStation 2 to date, but it offers very little in the way of gameplay options and can occasionally prove frustrating because it makes you overly dependent on the instructions of codriver Nicky Grist.
  13. GameSpy
    84
    Only graphical impoverishments, a terrible secret-unlock method, and a lack of features prevent perfection.
  14. GameZone
    89
    Stylish and amazingly realistic, Colin McRae Rally 3 does a brilliant job of capturing the essence of rally racing while keeping it delightfully fun.
  15. Gaming Age
    91
    As far as realism, physics, and attention to detail, Colin blows away the competition.
  16. GamingTrend
    83
    A good game hindered by lack of options and other cars to drive in the Championship mode.
  17. GamingWorld X
    80
    Has a lot going for it. But it goes wrong in one key area: The Championship mode. It’s much too limited. We get to drive one car throughout our career, and we don’t get to make our own repairs when we damage it; the computer does it for us.
  18. GMR Magazine
    80
    If Codies opened up the format and provided more variety in the Championship mode, it would be a king. [May 2003, p.68]
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  19. IGN
    89
    The physics, sense of speed, handling and graphics are dazzling, top-notch effects that rocket this game to the top of the heap. On the other hand, the sheer lack of game modes is disturbing.
  20. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    The game IS gorgeous. The graphics are beautiful the sound effects are spectacular, and the overall presentation is extremely stylish. [May 2003, p.92]
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  21. Play Magazine
    90
    From the superb modeling of the interior and exterior of the vehicles, the realism of its courses, and the precision of its control, McRae looks and feels just like the real thing. [Jan 2003, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  22. PSM Magazine
    80
    One exceptionally notable aspect of the game is the sound. Even on a simple stereo setup, the sounds of the engine and the environment were crystal clear. [June 2003, p.32]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. PSX Nation
    80
    The eye-candy quota is attractive enough to make this a must-own for rally racing nuts (like yours truly), but “V-Rally 3” still holds on to its title as the best racing game of its kind on PS2 (and XBox as well).
  24. Total Video Games
    90
    Everything you could have wished for and more.
  25. TotalGames.net
    92
    In what has to be a first for rally titles, much of the scenery, which should be breakable... is! No more bouncing off seemingly solid tape barriers - they now snap and even flap in the wind.
  26. Yahoo!
    90
    A simple joy to play. There's little about it that isn't excellent, polished, authentic rallying of the highest standard, with the graphics, sound, and above all handling to back up its well-respected license.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best PS2 Game of 2003
75
#75 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 43
  3. Negative: 3 out of 43
  1. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 28, 2023
    7
    The superior power of the PS2 gives the Colin McRae series an adrenaline boost with some much improved graphics and detailed environments.The superior power of the PS2 gives the Colin McRae series an adrenaline boost with some much improved graphics and detailed environments. It's still a one car only affair but it's still one of the best on the console.… Full Review »
  2. BrunoF2000
    Jun 26, 2023
    7
    20 years on and I still think this game can be good fun. Even putting my nostalgia aside, the content in this game has a quality feel to it,20 years on and I still think this game can be good fun. Even putting my nostalgia aside, the content in this game has a quality feel to it, especially the damage model that, for a 20 year old game, is still pretty solid. The only downsides to this game is the overall lack of cars, especially comparing this game to CMR04 and 2005, and the handling model that needs some time to be mastered because of the way cars steer from the center. Even so, I recommend this game to anyone who wants a simple and fun rally racer, even though the sequels are better in almost every single aspect.… Full Review »
  3. The_D4RknesS
    Apr 27, 2023
    3
    what a rubbish game! the font is tiny and barely readable, before starting a simple race there are several loads that take a while thewhat a rubbish game! the font is tiny and barely readable, before starting a simple race there are several loads that take a while the gameplay of the car is rotten.

    Colin 2005 is light years ahead of this sh*t    … Full Review »
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