Burnout Hints II (PS2)

Burnout is a video game developed by Criterion Studios and published by Acclaim Entertainment Inc. It was released in 2001for the PlayStation 2 consoles from Sony but also for the Game Cube and for the original Xbox. The title is classified as a racing and driving game which can be played from a first and a third person perspective.

As far as racing simulators are concerned, Burnout, the first title in a series which still gets updates, more than seven years since release, is more on the arcade side. It bears some striking similarities to Test Drive and to Need for Speed. There is traffic in the game and the physics are coherent, even if a little forgiving towards the player.

The game offers eight racing courses on which the player can drive, with four of them inspired by European tracks and the other four by American racing arenas. None of the in-game vehicles is based on real life models as firms were too worried about the damage the cars would sustain to license names and likenesses. You can race using any vehicle from compacts to pick ups.

One of the most interesting innovations this release brings is the Burn Meter, basically a gauge that fills up as you perform stunts and race into the incoming traffic. If the meter gets filled, the car you are driving gets speed boost.

GAMEPLAY HINTS

Better turns

When turning sharp corners, lightly tap the gas to turn sharper and slide less.

Interstate: No traffic

Select the Interstate course. When the race begins, drive over to the other side of the highway into the HOV lane. Look over the barrier that separates oncoming traffic. There will be no traffic on the other side.

Interstate: Flip car off track

Select the sports coupe as your car and the Interstate track. On the two lane highway section of the track with the dirt median in the center, get a turbo boost. Use the turbo to gain speed. At the end of the stretch of road will be the green arrows directing you to the exit.

Just off to the right of the arrows there will be a metal barrier. Hit it slightly to the right while doing the turbo boost and your car should fly over the barrier and into a ravine.

Here's a game trailer: