• Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: Nov 1, 2001
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. [Scoring note: "Direct Hit" = 100] A ram-jammed, brain-scrambling eye shag.
  2. 100
    More speed related fun than should be legal.
  3. Pure exhilaration; it’s an adrenaline-fuelled romp that will satisfy even the most extreme racers out there.
  4. A tense, exciting and genuinely thrilling experience. [Jan 2002, p.125]
  5. 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.
  6. More than good, really, more situated in the whole “amazing/incredibly addictive/cleverly balanced” extreme.
  7. 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."
  8. 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.
  9. One of the most intense and entertaining racing games on the PS2, complete with tight controls and impressive graphics.
  10. 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.
  11. 80
    Sure, crashing is discouraging, but Burnout’s are quite a show, and you can even save your “greatest hits” to a memory card.
  12. 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.
  13. 80
    Not only is this game a veritable orgy of enjoyment, it also manages to look and feel just as appealing.
  14. The sound is undoubtedly Burnout's biggest flaw. The music is absolutely horrendous and deserves to be turned off at the first possible opportunity.
  15. There’s not anything earth-shatteringly new in Burnout, but overall it’s a lot of fun to play.
  16. A solid driver, with good control and some decent graphics, but that's about it. [Jan 2002, p.80]
  17. 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.
  18. While a fun and frantic racing game it doesn't scream out innovative and fresh.
  19. The first racing game that really encourages you to get your ya-yas out.
  20. A brilliant game if experienced in short bursts... the game was obviously not designed with long term play in mind.
  21. Tight controls are a huge redeeming factor in this game. All the vehicles in the game are very easy to maneuver.
  22. It’s just one of those incredibly intuitive pick-up-and-start-powersliding types of racing games. [Jan 2002, p.202]
  23. Though the game has it's fun points, it comes off as somewhat bland, and you may be a little disappointed.
  24. AI concerns make driving into oncoming traffic easier than it should be, while the moderate, but not extensive amount of cars and tracks mean that you'll be able to wrap up single player in less than ten hours.
  25. Unfortunately despite the novel approach, the execution of this racer fails to create a classic.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. When Burnout first came out, there was no equal. It's fast-paced races, combined with the amazing crashes and the ability to leave it all and try and set a better time than you had made Criterion Games a household name. The only thing I could criticize was the lack of more racers in a race (ONLY FOUR RACERS?). Burnout thoroughly deserves this 9. Full Review »
  2. 8
    When I got this game I had a blast with it, even a few occasions where it would make me laugh out laud. The concept was very refreshing at the time and is still being used in current generation games. Full Review »
  3. Burnout is a great arcade racer. The game a nice but small selection of cars which are nicely detailed. The race tracks are also nice to race around from the heavy streets of Gridlock USA to the nice seaside views of Harbor Town. The music is especially great (beats the official licenced music in the later Burnout Games) and really gets the adrenaline pumping. The racing is standard stuff: you race with up to 3 other opponents and race through the checkpoints within the time limit otherwise you lose. Also you have to watch out not to crash into traffic which if you don't avoid them, can make for some satisfying crash effects. Additional cars are won by winning them in Face off events. It is pointless trying to race with the tow truck or Bus as they are too slow. Also you only have a limited time to get across from checkpoint to checkpoint so you can't afford to crash a lot. The other opponents also cheat so they always stay with you regardless how fast your going and it is frustrating when your moments away from the finishing line and crash into a barrier or car and have the lead snatched away from you on the last corner. Burnout is a nice arcade racer and has started one of the finest arcade racing series of all time. Full Review »