The Ultimate Guide to Burnout 3: Takedown

💥 Key Mechanic: The Takedown. Ramming your opponents into walls, traffic, or other racers to cause a spectacular crash is the core of the game, rewarding you with boost and an aggressive advantage.

Burnout 3: Takedown is a legendary arcade racing game that perfected the formula of high-speed racing mixed with spectacular, aggressive vehicular combat. The game is all about speed and aggression. The core gameplay loop involves racing at incredible speeds while slamming your opponents to score a "Takedown." Every Takedown fills your boost meter, and a full meter can be used for a "Burnout," a continuous boost until it runs out or you crash. The game features a variety of race types, but the most iconic are "Road Rage," where the only goal is to score as many Takedowns as possible, and "Crash Mode," where you launch your car into an intersection to create the most expensive pile-up imaginable. Its incredible sense of speed, satisfying crash physics, and addictive gameplay make it one of the greatest arcade racers of all time.

Takedown and Boost Tricks

  • Master the Aftertouch Takedown: After you crash, you can enter slow-motion "Impact Time" and steer your wreckage into an opponent to score a Takedown from beyond the grave. It's a key comeback mechanic.
  • Boost Chaining: You earn boost by driving dangerously (oncoming traffic, near misses, drifts). Chain these moves together to keep your boost meter constantly full.
  • The Psyche Out: Get right behind a rival and flash your lights. This can sometimes intimidate them into making a mistake and crashing on their own.

Crash Mode Secrets

  • The Crashbreaker: The key to high scores in Crash Mode. After your initial impact, you can detonate your car like a bomb (the "Crashbreaker") to cause even more chaos and destruction.
  • Find the Multipliers: Crash intersections are filled with score multiplier icons. Use your aftertouch to steer your wreckage into these to get the highest score possible.

"You're listening to Crash FM! The only station that's with you from the green flag to the checkered flag... and the crash in-between!"

- DJ Stryker

Updated: July 26, 2025 | Source: Criterion Games Archives