A major sequel refining the formula with more intense races and an improved Crash mode. Clear progression from the first entry. An excellent arcade racer beginning to reveal the series' full potential, still very playable today.
Your verdict
Category
Racing4 players7+
Split screen
Description
A 2002 sequel in which Criterion polishes the formula with a dedicated Crash mode, pursuit races and a broader vehicle roster. Faster, sharper and more generous, it is the entry that swung critical opinion firmly in the series' favor.
Burnout 2 - Point of Impact review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Skimming oncoming traffic to pump up your boost sets up a risk-and-reward loop of fearsome effectiveness. The sense of speed, the screech of near-misses and the spectacular crashes stay exhilarating at full throttle. The presentation shows its age, but this gutsy, twitchy and crystal-clear driving keeps a bite that's hard to match.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Skimming traffic at full speed to earn boost, then unleashing it all in a mad burst of acceleration: risk becomes the heart of the fun. The Crash mode, where you cause the most expensive pile-up, adds an irresistible game within the game. Direct, snappy and exhilarating, this entry turns reckless driving into pure arcade thrill.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Skimming traffic at full speed to swell your boost gauge and then unleashing it all down a straightaway creates an exhilarating risk-taking that calls for the next race. The Crash mode and the medals keep reviving the quest for the perfect run. The content stays thin, but this crystal-clear adrenaline rush and this vertigo of speed keep an immediate pull.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾2,1 GB📅30/09/2002
Published by Acclaim Entertainment
Burnout 2 - Point of Impact (PS2) price, value & rarity
An Asian or Korean run of this Criterion arcade racer, from markets with narrow physical distribution, which makes it markedly rarer than the Western editions. This thinly documented regional release appeals to collectors attentive to the least common variants of the series. Its desirability rests mainly on this geographic scarcity rather than on the game's distribution.
Better with friends
An arcade racer where brushing danger fills your boost and spectacular pileups are part of the show, fought over in split-screen. The competition bets on risk: who'll dare hold the opponent's lane at full speed to scrape a few seconds? Direct and heady, it turns every crash into a laugh and every tight finish into trash talk, perfect for quick challenges among friends.
Is Burnout 2 - Point of Impact still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2002 on PS2, Criterion's project refines everything the first Burnout had set up. Speed feels more stable, handling more expressive, the car and track roster grows substantially and Crash mode, a proper game within a game, brings a deliciously absurd new layer. The sun drenched American art direction has aged remarkably well and the rock heavy soundtrack still hits. A few flat textures and the lack of weather variety betray the era. Remains one of the strongest entry points to the series and a very satisfying pick today for anyone discovering arcade racing on Sony's second home console hardware.
