Burnout Hints IV (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

Supermini: Flip

Select the Supermini as your car and while at high speeds ram a car while going around a corner. The Supermini will roll across the street.

Worst Driver List

To get on the Worst Driver List, crash up your car and go through checkpoints at the very last second.

Worst Crash list

To get on the Worst Crash List, get a turbo boost and hit other cars at high speeds. This works best with a fast car such as the Saloon, Pickup, or Muscle. To get even more points, hit cars with the turbo boost while going around a corner.

Fastest Lap List

To get on the Fastest Lap List, select the Interstate course. On straightaways, drive on the wrong side of the road. You will get a turbo boost which you can use on other straightaways.

Here's a game trailer: