Burnout 2: Point of Impact

Burnout 2: Point of Impact Description

After the PlayStation 2 sequel to the incredibly popular Burnout was released in October 2002, an appearance on GameCube was inevitable. It's taken some seven months, but it's happened and it's one of the platform's biggest titles of 2003. But is it an enhanced super version or merely a direct port of the PS2 equivalent? As with the original, Burnout 2 places emphasis on the idea that dangerous driving is the best way to go about things. Missing other vehicles by a scratch, catching some air and driving on the wrong side of the road all work in your favour here, slowly building up that ever-important Burnout meter. Once the meter is full, hit the R1 button and you're propelled through city streets and mountain roads at unnerving speed. Vehicle deformation again plays a big part in the game's crash sequences, with some outstanding wrecks resulting from the slightest miscalculation. The resulting carnage is examined from every angle as the camera pans round in a helicopter fly-by. And in the game's Crash mode, damage means points - lots of them. Six US-based locations including Los Angeles, the Rocky Mountains and New Mexico deliver a total of 32 new stages on which to wreak havoc. After a tutorial mode sticks you in a quirky little learner-driver car and preaches the basics of how not to drive safely, it's straight into Championship mode for head-on racing with three other opponents. You know what to do - finish in a respectable position in order to unlock new levels and cars. Aside from the usual races, you also take part in one-on-ones, racing for pink slips and even the all-new Pursuit races. That's what the game is all about. But with regards to the earlier question, Burnout 2 for GameCube is nigh on identical to its PS2 counterpart. Visually speaking, it's almost impossible to tell the difference. In fact, only Nintendo's ergonomic controller makes the game seem any different. But in retrospect, the PS2 version of 2002 was a fine game and there's absolutely no reason why this port of the Acclaim classic won't be either.