Burnout Hints III (PS2)

Burnout is a video game developed by Criterion Studios and published by Acclaim Entertainment Inc. It was released in 2001 for 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

Interstate: Pit stop

As you begin the race and drive on to the first highway, go to the far right of the highway. There will be an opening that you can drive into. It is not much, you will just see a gas station. Drive forward past the gas station and there will be another opening that leads you out.

River City: Climb a mountain

Before the first tunnel, slant right and go up the hill. If done correctly, you should climb up until you lose all your speed, or get to the top.

Rush Hour: Boost

On Rush Hour, you can drive on the wrong side of the road to keep your boost up. If you are good enough, you can use a non-stop turbo throughout the entire course.

Sports Coupe: Backflip

Choose the Interstate as your track. While driving down the first stretch, notice the area where you can turn off the road and end up at a gas station. When you turn into this gas station, drive at full speed in between the gas pump. Hit the gas station head on the Sports Coupe and it will do a full backflip and land on its wheels.

Here's a game trailer: