Burnout hosts some unique modes, which enhance the level of arcade-racing style play. The racer hosts six main game modes, which include: Championship, Single Race, Time Attack, Offensive Driving 101, Pursuit, and Crash.

Championship mode is your typical GP style tournament, where medals are given. Usually, grabbing all the gold medals in these series of races can get you cool things such as new cars and tracks. Similar to the single race modes, the Championship mode pits you against three other racers, in a Mario-Kart style point system. You can even play a series of races against another human player of your choice for some multiplayer racing.

The Offensive Driving 101 mode consists of several training sessions, teaching racers how to drive offensively. This mode is a great addition to the title because of the importance of using the boosts during a race.

The pursuit modes are actually very challenging. In the mode, you start off using a Police Car, just waiting for its chance at pursuing a high-speed racer. When the game starts, you’ll see a fast moving vehicle with an escape destination only a few miles away. Your goal is to hit this car multiple times (car health is shown on screen) before the car gets away. Of course, traffic makes this mode very difficult.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Crash mode, which starts racers off in a very small straight-forward track where the objective is to crash your car, utilizing others in the process, and “chain-crashing” multiple vehicles to accumulate the most insurance damage. With over 30 crash zones to tackle, gamers will soon find the consequences… er… outcomes of multiple cars crashing all over the place. The crashes are done so well because of their “Matrix-style” camera effects. Right when you hit a car, the game’s progress proceeds in slow motion, only to speed itself back up right before the gigantic crash. This small tweak is a very naughty way for Acclaim to exaggerate these crashes. Although there is no first-person in-the-car view for the crash mode, the mode executes itself nicely, giving something extra to those willing to find out. There is also a four-player crash mode where players take turns using one controller to see who can do the most damage. Instant mayhem!

There are twelve circuit tracks in Burnout 2 and three point-to-point tracks, all in all a big improvement over the seven tracks in the original Burnout. Some tracks are actual clones of several famous U.S. highways, such as Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway. The tracks are very well thought out with so much detail. You will find planes flying over airports, street signs, decals, working trains, and more. There are even weather patterns that give tracks different vibes as you race.

Another great aspect of the title that many gamers will find is the multitude of racing cars, from Ferrari and Supra clones, to even old school 1930 vehicles. A variety of car styles can be found within the 22-car realm of the title, with SUVs, Minivans, and Mustangs. Prepare to compare.

The game’s AI is actually expected for a racer of this genre. All of the traffic cars are basically “annoying,” hence making it harder for you to zig-zag your way to the finish line. Opposing traffic often honk their horns, flash their high-beams, and even break when you drive past them at 150 MPH. Traffic is abundant, but can be highly predictable. Still, crashing into a small mini-coupe will get you heated when you are leading in the final seconds of a race. The game can handle from 20-40 different vehicles on the screen at the same time, quite an abundance considering its great frame-rate.

The game’s sound system is done with Dolby Pro Logic II, the best gaming sound technology on the market today. The upbeat techno, rock, and mellow tunes of each track blends into the racing action perfectly. Other that that, the crashes sound entirely realistic, as you could hear windshields shattering and wheels peeling out. The audio in Burnout 2 is some of the best that the racing genre has to offer.

Despite its rare game freezes, it’s hard to complain about a racing title as entertaining as this one. The game just makes me feel home again, as its roots obviously came from Ridge Racer. Burnout 2 is the most replayable and enjoyable racing game experience available now on the Nintendo GameCube. If you were tired of playing it too safe with Gran Turismo, I’d highly recommend checking out Burnout 2. It takes impact driving to a whole other gear.