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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Burnout 3: Takedown still has a strong case as an arcade racing classic: its mix of risky driving, boost, and rival takedowns makes every race a fast, aggressive contest. Its reputation is backed by outstanding reviews at release. The harder question today is access: the original game was released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, and that alone does not confirm it works on current Xbox consoles or is available on PC.
What makes Burnout 3 different?
Criterion Games and EA released Burnout 3: Takedown in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Earlier games in the series had established high-speed racing, responsive handling, and dramatic crashes; Burnout 3 brought those elements together with takedowns that let players steal boost from rival drivers. Criterion’s retrospective describes the game’s development and its place in the series.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Burnout 3 Takedown - PlayStation 2 (Renewed) | $26.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Burnout 3 Takedown - PlayStation 2 | $36.85 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Burnout 3: Takedown (PS2) | $19.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Burnout 3: Takedown (EA Best Hits) [Japan Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IGbJBguDL._SL160_.jpg)
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Burnout 3: Takedown (EA Best Hits) [Japan Import] | $39.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Burnout 3 Takedown | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The central loop is simple to grasp: drive dangerously to build boost, then use speed and collisions to take down opponents and gain more. That makes the racing feel less like a simulation of careful driving and more like a kinetic contest where aggression is part of the strategy.
Is Burnout 3 still fun?
If you enjoy arcade racing built around speed, risk, and spectacular crashes, the game’s core appeal remains easy to understand. Contemporary reviews praised those qualities, and one 2004 review noted the lack of customization and ultra-realism while still describing the game as highly fun. It is a better fit for players who want immediate, aggressive racing than for anyone looking for realistic vehicle handling or deep car tuning. Metacritic’s critic review page collects contemporary reception.
#1 Best Overall
- Drive more than 70 cars from 12 different classes -- from European exotics to American muscle cars, mid-size sports sedans, sports cars, compacts, buses, even semi trucks
- Experience new racing conditions and environments, as you race on 40 different tracks across 3 continents
- Spectacular crash technology recreates high speed crashes with extreme detail -- you'll even be rewarded for creating the most massive pileups
- Use your car as a weapon and take out rivals, controlling the car even after crashing
- Online action in seven different modes, with up to 6 participants -- racing through oncoming traffic in Crash Mode, Single Race, Road Rage and more
Those strengths are not a guarantee that every part of the experience feels modern. The available evidence does not establish how the soundtrack, visuals, or controls compare with current releases, and no present-day play test is available to support technical claims such as measured frame rate or image quality.
How was it received when it launched?
The game’s historical critical reception was exceptional. As displayed on Metacritic on October 8, 2026, the Xbox version has a 94 metascore based on 76 critic reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version has a 93 metascore based on 52 critic reviews. Those scores show how strongly critics received the game at the time; they are not a current assessment of compatibility, presentation, or how it will feel to a new player.
Rank #2
- Drive more than 70 cars from 12 different classes -- from European exotics to American muscle cars, mid-size sports sedans, sports cars, compacts, buses, even semi trucks
- Experience new racing conditions and environments, as you race on 40 different tracks across 3 continents
- Spectacular crash technology recreates high speed crashes with extreme detail -- you'll even be rewarded for creating the most massive pileups
- Use your car as a weapon and take out rivals, controlling the car even after crashing
- Online action in seven different modes, with up to 6 participants -- racing through oncoming traffic in Crash Mode, Single Race, Road Rage and more
Criterion’s studio page also reports a 93% average review score, but does not state its calculation method or review count. That figure is best read as the developer’s retrospective summary, rather than as an independently documented new score. Criterion’s page also reproduces a contemporary GameSpot quotation attributed to Jeff Gerstmann, praising the game as one of the best racing games ever made; it is a quotation about the original release, not a current review.
Can you play Burnout 3 on Xbox Series X|S?
The original Xbox release does not by itself establish that Burnout 3 is backward compatible on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. Xbox says that backward compatibility is limited to supported catalog games; supported disc games require the disc to remain in the drive, while Xbox Series S is digital-only. Original Xbox online services are not available through backward compatibility. These are general rules, not confirmation that this particular game is supported. Check Xbox’s backward-compatibility guidance for current policy, and do not assume an original disc will work unless the game appears as supported.
Rank #3
Does the Xbox PC backward-compatibility program include it?
Not in the initial lineup announced on July 22, 2026. Xbox named four original Xbox games for early PC backward compatibility: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. Burnout 3 was not among them. The announcement described a broader future effort but does not confirm that Burnout 3 is playable through the service. Read Xbox’s announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What are the practical ways to play it now?
Use original hardware
A PlayStation 2 copy is a direct route to the original game if you have compatible hardware. Before buying a used copy, check the disc’s condition and confirm that its region matches your console. Current stock, seller reliability, and prices have not been established here.
Do not assume a current edition exists
The documented original platforms are PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The available information does not confirm a PC release or a current-generation edition of Burnout 3. A different Burnout game may offer related arcade racing, but it is not a substitute version of this title.
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